Are you having sleepless nights? Do you suspect that you are suffering from insomnia? Are you looking for a cure for what you think might be insomnia? Since you can't cure what you don't have, before searching for and trying a cure, it might be a good idea to confirm that you actually do have insomnia. Here is how you can know whether or not you actually do have insomnia.
1. Do you have any of the following symptoms:
Difficulty falling asleep, which can mean lying in bed for up to an hour or more, perhaps tossing and turning, wishing for sleep to begin.
Waking up during sleep and having trouble getting back to sleep.
Waking up too early in the morning.
Feeling unrefreshed when you wake up.
Feeling irritable, lethargic, anxious, and/or lazy during the daytime.
2. These are risks/factors that cause insomnia:
Stress-related factors – significant personal events, such as losing a job, marital problems, stress and generaly worrying.
Uncomfortable sleeping environment (too much light or noise, uncomfortable temperature).
Unusual sleeping environment (e.g., a hotel room).
Changes in the daily rhythm, such as a change in work shift or jet lag.
Acute medical illness or their treatments.
3. What you can do with your insomnia:
Develop a regular sleeping schedule. Avoid daytime naps and stimulating activities just before bedtime.
Avoid stimulating drugs, such as caffeine and nicotine, particularly before going to bed.
Exercise during the day (but not in the late evening).
Avoid alcohol- it is a leading cause of poor sleep.
Minimize light and noise when trying to sleep..
Maintain a comfortable bedroom temperature.
Avoid heavy meals before bedtime. If hungry, eat a light carbohydrate snack.
It is frequent for older adults to sleep less deeply and for less time than they did earlier in life, and to experience fragmented sleep. But these normal changes in the sleep patterns of older adults do not mean that the sleep they get is enough-some experts believe older adults may need as much sleep as younger adults.
Take medication that includes: antihistamines; benzodiazepines; Ramelteon (Rozerem); melatonin; antidepressants; and Herbal medications such as valerian, chamomile, and kava-kava
Know if You Have Insomnia
Monday, February 23, 2009
Posted by Jane at 12:00 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment