If you're worrying about how to cure insomnia you might find Leonardo Da Vinci's quote: "A well spent day brings happy sleep." a bit ironic. It would be wonderful if his remark was true for everyone. Sleep specialists estimate that twenty to forty percent, maybe more, of adults in the United States have trouble falling asleep, over the course of a year.
Even worse, one in three people has trouble falling asleep at some time during their lives. Over seventy million Americans suffer from sleep disorders and problems with wakefulness, and of those seventy million, an estimated sixty percent suffer from chronic disorders. (SleepMed Inc.com, US Department of Health And Human Services).
Insomnia is a sleep disorder with some very specific characteristics. The most common symptoms of insomnia are difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Some people have trouble with wakefulness-they can fall asleep but wake several times during the night and experience difficulty falling back to sleep.
Some insomnia sufferers wake much too early in the morning and most feel tired when they wake up.
There are two types of insomnia.
The first is called "Primary Insomnia". This type of insomnia is not caused by another medical condition or disorder, nor is it caused by medication or other chemicals, such as alcohol.
Secondary Insomnia is caused by something else, such as a health condition like depression or asthma. Side effects from medication and other chemicals like caffeine and alcohol can also contribute to secondary insomnia.
When you're looking at ways how to cure insomnia these two types are tackled in different ways.
Who Is At Risk For Insomnia?
The United States Department of Health and Human Services has combined data to show that nearly anyone can be at risk for insomnia. Trouble sleeping is something that can be caused by many factors including stressful life changes like divorce, work schedules that disrupt your normal sleep routine, and chronic stress.
Substances That Contribute To Insomnia
There are many common medications and other chemicals that can exacerbate insomnia. Anyone looking for ways how to cure insomnia, should start by evaluating whether something you are taking into your body is a contributing factor. Such substances include:
• Caffeine and other stimulants
• Tobacco and other products containing nicotine
• Alcohol and other sedatives
• Prescription medications
Medical Conditions That Can Make Sleeping Difficult
Many physical, emotional and neurological conditions can cause sleeplessness. Though many conditions are listed below, there are several others that can contribute to sleep problems, among them are:
• Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and Stroke
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Chronic Pain from Arthritis or Headaches
• Breathing problems such as those caused by Asthma and complications of heart failure
• Heartburn and other gastrointestinal disorders
• Menopause and Hot Flashes
How Doctors Diagnose Insomnia
Doctors normally use patients' reports of difficulty sleeping, a physical examination and a medical history report to diagnose Insomnia.
Sleep studies are important tools in diagnosing insomnia because they allow doctors to obtain specific, measurable information about the severity of the insomnia that you are experiencing.
Sleep labs are a high tech way of investigating how you sleep - or not! - but they don't give you any great help in how to cure insomnia, unfortunately.
Problems That Can Occur From Lack Of Sleep
Besides obvious problems like irritability and lack of focus, there are serious problems that can happen to people who do not get the right amount of sleep regularly.
People who suffer from sleep disorders that go untreated are at a higher risk for serious medical conditions like heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Treating Insomnia
While some people turn to medications to treat their difficulty sleeping, there are many natural remedies that provide relief without harmful side effects. Making lifestyle changes and avoiding substances that contribute to insomnia often works well.
Relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial. Melatonin and some herbs like chamomile and valerian are other drug free remedies.
How to cure insomnia is something that can be done in many different ways, and you have to find out what works for you.
Gustaf Eriksson - publisher of the "Sleep Secrets Newsletter".
After having had severe problems with insomnia I decided to cure myself - without using sleeping pills. It took some time, but the methods I found did work beautifully.
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