|
Insomnia Treatment, Cure,
Remedies
Transient and intermittent insomnia
may not require treatment since
episodes last only a few days at a
time. For example, if insomnia is
due to a temporary change in the
sleep/wake schedule, as with jet
lag, the person's biological clock
will often get back to normal on its
own. However, for some people who
experience daytime sleepiness and
impaired performance as a result of
transient insomnia, the use of
short-acting sleeping pills may
improve sleep and next-day
alertness. As with all drugs, there
are potential side effects. The use
of over-the-counter sleep medicines
is not usually recommended for the
treatment of insomnia.
Treatment for chronic insomnia
consists of:
* First, diagnosing and treating
underlying medical or psychological
problems.
* Identifying behaviors that may
worsen insomnia and stopping (or
reducing) them.
* Possibly using sleeping pills,
although the long-term use of
sleeping pills for chronic insomnia
is controversial. A patient taking
any sleeping pill should be under
the supervision of a physician to
closely evaluate effectiveness and
minimize side effects. In general,
these drugs are prescribed at the
lowest dose and for the shortest
duration needed to relieve the
sleep-related symptoms. For some of
these medicines, the dose must be
gradually lowered as the medicine is
discontinued because, if stopped
abruptly, it can cause insomnia to
occur again for a night or two.
* Trying behavioral techniques to
improve sleep, such as relaxation
therapy, sleep restriction therapy,
and reconditioning.
Relaxation Therapy. There are
specific and effective techniques
that can reduce or eliminate anxiety
and body tension. As a result, the
person's mind is able to stop
"racing," the muscles can relax, and
restful sleep can occur. It usually
takes much practice to learn these
techniques and to achieve effective
relaxation.
Sleep Restriction. Some people
suffering from insomnia spend too
much time in bed unsuccessfully
trying to sleep. They may benefit
from a sleep restriction program
that at
first allows only a few hours of
sleep during the night. Gradually
the time is increased until a more
normal night's sleep is achieved.
Reconditioning. Another treatment
that may help some people with
insomnia is to recondition them to
associate the bed and bedtime with
sleep. For most people, this means
not using their beds for any
activities other than sleep and sex.
As part of the reconditioning
process, the person is usually
advised to go to bed only when
sleepy. If unable to fall asleep,
the person is told to get up, stay
up until sleepy, and then return to
bed. Throughout this process, the
person should avoid naps and wake up
and go to bed at the same time each
day. Eventually the person's body
will be conditioned to associate the
bed and bedtime with sleep.
Content Courtesy : www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Note : Information herein is
provided for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. You
should not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a medical or
health condition. If you have or
suspect you have a medical problem,
promptly contact your professional
healthcare provider. Please consult
your healthcare provider before
beginning any course of
supplementation or treatment.
|
