5 Things You Need to Know About Insomnia

1. When Dreams Don't Come

Insomnia is a term used to describe the inability to either fall asleep or remain asleep. Symptoms need to occur over an extended period of time to be classified as insomnia, since everyone occasionally has difficulty sleeping. Chronic or recurring periods of such inability to sleep throughout the night can be considered insomnia, even if they occur in cycles rather than night after night.

2. Count the Causes Like Sheep

Environmental insomnia is typically short-lived and easily remedied. The causes include jetlag, a shift change at work or the consumption of too much caffeine or alcohol. Of course, any kind of pain can keep you from getting to sleep as well. On the other hand, there are a variety of illnesses that cause insomnia, including high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, asthma and sleep apnea. For women, insomnia might be traced to hormonal imbalances. Stress, depression and anxiety can all contribute to insomnia.

3. Keep a Sleep Diary

Taking notes on your sleep patterns, or lack thereof, is the best way to get the insomnia relief you want. Make note of what medicines you're on, the foods you eat, your mood during the day and how your evening progressed prior to your bouts of insomnia. Make your notes very detailed and you're likely to see a pattern emerge that might help you cure your insomnia.

4. Insomnia Remedies at Home

Insomnia can be remedied in a variety of ways. Use your bedroom as a place to sleep only: no working in bed! Set a bedtime routine, like taking a warm bath and sliding under turned-down covers. If you're still awake after 15 minutes get out of bed. This trains your brain to recognize that the bed is a place to sleep. Use relaxation techniques to cure stress-induced insomnia. Focus on deep breathing and relaxing your muscles.

5. Is There a Doctor in the House?

If you've kept a sleep history and tried to retrain yourself into a sleep routine, and you're still not getting a good night's rest, it's time to see your doctor. Take your sleep history with you and make sure you inform him of the natural remedies you've tried. The doctor will evaluate your medications and check for illnesses that can cause sleeplessness. Insomnia treatments may include early morning sunshine or restricting naps. If the problem is sleep apnea, you might undergo a sleep study, an overnight stay in a medical facility, to determine the best treatment.