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Insomnia -
Homeopathic Treatment of Insomnia
"I can't sleep!" These
three words can explain nights of restless anguish for
those who suffer from insomnia. An occasional night
without much sleep is normal, but when it continues
night after night, a vicious cycle can begin that can be
exhausting and extremely frustrating. Insomnia is not
defined by the number of hours you sleep every night.
The amount of sleep a person needs varies. While most
people need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night, some
people do well with less, and some need more. But, if
you feel that you do not get satisfying sleep, you may
have insomnia, a sleep disorder.
Sleep is very essential
for the well-being of mind and body. Not only does sleep
provide needed time for rest to restore energy and allow
the body to renew itself, but your mind needs sleep as
well, in order to process the events and stresses of the
previous day and to dream. An untreated sleep disorder
can lead to a form of psychosis, with delusions and
hallucinations. It can also reduce your daytime
productivity by affecting co-ordination, reaction time,
and judgement. Lack of sleep also can increase your risk
of accidents, and put you at risk for illness and even
early death.
Types of Insomnia
There are mainly two types
of insomnia:
Causes of Insomnia
Some conditions that
commonly lead to insomnia are:
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Certain physical
conditions like: the need to urinate frequently, any
illness causing pain or difficulty breathing can
interfere with both sleep onset and sleep maintenance.
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Watching exciting
programs on television late at night.
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Consuming excessive
caffeine, alcohol or eating a large meal close to
bedtime.
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Vigorous exercise less
than three hours before bedtime may disturb sleep
patterns.
-
In the majority of
insomnia cases, however, the main problem is emotional
– worry, anxiety, arguments or depression.
-
Paradoxically, insomnia
may result from the use of a sedative prescribed to
relieve it.
-
Some people, especially
the elderly or those working at night or traveling
across time zones, develop a reverse sleep pattern:
drowsiness in the morning, sleep during the day and
wakefulness at night.
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Hormonal changes during
menstrual cycle and menopause.
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Sleeping besides a
partner that snores too loud.
Symptoms of Insomnia
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Difficulty falling
asleep
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Waking up often during
the night and having trouble going back to sleep
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Waking up too early
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Unrefreshing sleep
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It can cause other
problems during the day such as sleepiness, fatigue,
difficulty concentrating and irritability
Homeopathic Approach
to the Treatment of Insomnia
Homeopathic remedies are
made from natural substances like coffee, strychnine and
arsenic that cause wakefulness in healthy people. When
prepared in minute, potentised doses, and prescribed
according to the principle of “like cures like”, they
can cure insomnia. When treating chronic insomnia,
Homeopathy treats the whole person, rather than just the
specific symptom of sleeplessness. What actually should
be treated is not the sleeplessness. This is what is
done in homeopathy and not in any other form of
treatment. A homeopath, while taking the case history,
tries to determine the anxiety factor in the patient.
Thus the result is total freedom from tensions, worries
and anxiety, which further treats Insomnia.
The treatment is very
individual for everyone and deals with insomnia as a
mind-body connection. It will promote relaxation by
soothing your nerves and calming irritability, anxiety
and stress hence encouraging restful sleep. The goal of
this Homeopathic approach is to enliven the body's
natural healing and self-repair ability to not only help
cure insomnia, but also to treat the underlying
condition and to prevent it and create the highest state
of health and well-being. Homeopathic remedies are also
non–habit forming and have no addictive characteristics.
Self Care Measures
Along with homeopathic
medicines following some simple sleep hygiene measures
will help promote a restful sleep:
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Establish a regular
schedule for going to bed and getting up. Avoid
daytime naps.
-
Avoid alcohol, caffeine,
and nicotine late in the day as they are stimulants
and can keep you from falling asleep. Alcohol may help
sleep onset, but cause early morning wakefulness.
-
Avoid vigorous exercise
within 3 to 4 hours of bedtime because it may
stimulate you and make it hard to fall asleep. Taking
a mild walk or performing yoga before going to bed
might help.
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Avoid heavy meals close
to bedtime. However, a light snack at bedtime may
promote sleep.
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Keep the bedroom at a
comfortable temperature and minimize light and noise.
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Follow a routine to help
relax before sleep, such as reading a book, listening
to music, or taking a warm bath.
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Drink a warm cup of milk
before going to bed. Milk contains an amino acid that
boosts serotonin in the brain, and enhances sleep.
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Don’t use your bedroom
as a place to work.
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Relaxation techniques,
meditation and sexual intercourse have a relaxing
effect for many people.
Adequate sleep is
essential to health and peak performance as much as
exercise and good nutrition. Hence, to get relieve from
sleeplessness and to promote a restful sleep with the
help of a safe, natural, effective and non-addictive
treatment consider homeopathy.
Where Can I Learn More?
Contact the AMCH Clinic or
Neepa Sevak if you are interested in scheduling an
appointment.
____________________________________________________
About the author:
Neepa Sevak
(DHMS, DHom, DIHom, DHM, CCH, RSHom (NA), HMA)
is registered with the Arizona Homeopathic Board of
Medical Examiners, and certified by the Council of
Homeopathic certification. She is currently practicing
Classical Homeopathy and is on the Board of
International Affairs at the American Medical College of
Homeopathy. Her mission is to “Promote Health through
Homeopathy with a Holistic, Totalistic, and
Individualistic approach”.
Phone: (480) 363 0758
Email:
homeopathiccure@cox.net
Website:
www.homeopathic-cure.com
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