Insomnia, Treatment by Drugs - Night-Time Ritual and Natural Therapy

Insomnia is unpleasant. You get out of bed the next day feeling groggy and not ready to face the day. You drive to work tired, and do your work tired. You may be irritable to your co-workers and argumentative with your spouse. Insomnia is no joke.



Insomnia can have many causes. Maybe you're worrying about an unpaid bill, stressed with work, suffering another health complaint. Whatever the cause, everyone needs to sleep. Sleep helps the body to rejuvenate, the brain and body to rest. This article aims to show that although drug treatment works for insomnia the use of a regular bedtime ritual coupled with natural therapies should be first thing to try. After reading this article the reader should be able to make more objective decisions regarding their treatment for insomnia.



Treatment Of Insomnia By Pharmaceutical Drugs



Benzodiazepines: diazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam.
Function: is to act on the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce anxiety and induce sleep.
Side effects: dizziness, drowsiness, addiction, impairment of short-term memory.



Antihistamines: diphenhydramine, doxylamine.
Function: to cause sedation.
Side effects: grogginess, clumsiness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances.



Zolpidem Tartrate:
Function: acts on CNC to induce sleep.
Side effects: daytime drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, clumsiness, headache, diarrhia, nausea.



Night-Time Ritual To Beat Insomnia



Here are five easy to follow steps to help you sleep better. Results should be seen within one month if the 'ritual' is followed everyday.



1) Cut out caffeine. Try to stop consuming caffeine altogether. If you find this impossible don't have caffeine later than six hours before bed.



2) Cut out chocolate and sugary desserts. If you cannot manage this because of your 'sweet tooth' don't eat later than six hours before bed.



3) Avoid alcohol and tobacco. If you can't stop make sure you have neither within two hours of going to bed. Remember to never have alcohol to help you sleep, it can become a habit.



4) Do something that you enjoy to relax before bed. The obvious one is to have sex, meditate, yoga, a hot bath, or read for a while.



5) If you can't sleep, get up. Go to another room and do something soothing to take your mind off the fact you can't sleep. Make sure you don't have an alcoholic or caffeine containing drink.



This list is not exhaustive yet if followed for one month great improvements in sleep patterns can be achieved.



Natural Therapies To Beat Insomnia



California Poppy: eschscholzia californica used in high doses is sedating, and used in lower doses can be used to treat anxiety.



Camomile: matricaria recutitia has been used for centuries to calm nerves and induce sleep.



Kava-Kava: is particularly effective when insomnia is a result of anxiety.



Lemon Balm: melissa officinalis has many medicinal uses. It treats insomnia and tastes good, which means it is not unpleasant to take.



Melatrol: is a proprietary blend of natural ingredients that form together to help you beat insomnia. These include:



5-HTP: is a short term for 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan. This is an important "precursor" to seratonin. A precursor is a substance that precedes, and is the source, of another substance. Seratonin is vital in many functions of the body. 5-HTP supports the production of melatonin, and assists in easing stress and anxiety. 5-HTP is a natural extract from the seeds of the Griffonia tree found in West African countries. Traditionally, the African people use all parts of the tree for various maladies. 5-HTP is generally well tolerated. However, light nausea and some mild gastric disturbances could occur at first. Usually these symptoms disappear quickly. If you experience continued disturbance, discuss this with your health care professional.
Melatonin



Just as the growth of plants is affected by the hours of daylight, so too, are animals and humans affected. Darkness triggers production of the hormone, melatonin, and causes the drowsy, sleepy feeling you get which is your body's signal it's time to go to sleep. Bright light halts the production of melatonin.



Melatonin: is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It can also be produced by bone marrow cells, the retina, and the gastrointestinal tract. Even plants, such as rice, produce
melatonin. When you eat rice or other foods containing melatonin, it will reach and bind to sites in the brain.



In addition to helping you sleep, melatonin is an antioxidant. It helps protect DNA, protects the brain, and may play a role in increasing longevity. Melatonin is safe for the human body even when taken over a period of time. However, like all supplements, caution is advised against taking more than directed. High doses can cause complications.
Valerian Root



Valerian: has been used to improve people's lives since the times of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates discussed its benefits, and Galen prescribed Valerian as a remedy for insomnia.



Only the roots, rhizomes and stolons (A horizontal stem which grows along the surface of the soil) of the plants are used. The flowers of Valerian are quite sweet-smelling, and can perfume your whole garden.



On the other hand, the dried root has a pungent, unpleasant smell some people say is like "dirty socks." Herbalists often suggest Valerian root to people who are nervous, anxious, and not sleeping well.
Gamma Amino Butyric Acid



Gamma Amino Butyric Acid: is usually called GABA. It is an amino acid necessary for the action of certain cells. In adults, it is inhibitory in action. That is, it inhibits certain substances from entering the cells. It's found primarily in the tissues of the nervous system.



GABA functions as a neurotransmitter to prevent certain neurons from over-reacting. This makes it possible for the brain to relax, and reduces stress and anxiety.
Rhodiola Rosea Extract



Rhodiola Rosea: sometimes called "golden root" or "roseroot", grows in the dry sandy areas of high mountains from Iceland through Siberia.



It was not named Rosea for its flower, but for the sweet, rose-like fragrance of the freshly cut root.



Until the 1960s Rhodiola rosea was not well known in this country. For many years, the people of the northern latitudes kept it a secret.



In 1725, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus gave the herb its modern name. It was later determined that the plant extract was a powerful adaptogen.



The term adaptogen is used by herbalists to refer to a natural herb product that is proposed to increase the body's resistance to stress and anxiety. In the past, they have been called "rejuvenating herbs."
Passion Flower



The Passion Flower: is a frequent sight in many gardens. It is a delightful vine, which can climb to 30 feet, and is covered with purple and white flowers during the blooming season.



The unique flowers give the plant its name. In 1609 Jacomo Bosio, a monk and scholar in Rome, thought the shape of the flowers resembled the crown of thorns put upon the head of Jesus. He felt it represented the mysteries of the cross and the passion of Jesus.



Passion Flower was used for centuries for people with anxiety, sleeplessness, and "hysteria." Herbalists today still use Passion Flower for people with occasional sleep problems, tension and nervousness.



It is said that Passion Flower will bring sweet dreams to the user, but there is no scientific evidence to support this.



There is no doubt that the pharmaceutical drugs will help you sleep. However, there are some quite serious side effects and some can be habit-forming (addictive).



Before going the pharmaceutical way it would seem that trying a night-time ritual and using natural therapies available would be worth a try for at least a month.



The reader should now have some knowledge about therapies available for insomnia and, as such, should be able to make more objective decisions regarding their own treatment for insomnia.