Insomnia - Insomnia or Sleep? The Choice is Yours!

Insomnia Cures If you are affected by insomnia, then the first thing to do is to consult your doctor and find out whether your insomnia should be treated by medication, behavioral therapies or through self-help, natural methods, or by a combination of these. If your insomnia is not due to a medical condition, then you must first try to cure it by natural methods. But if these methods fail, then you must seek medical help. Here are the different types of cures available for insomnia: NATURAL METHODS FACILITATING SLEEP Exercise regularly. Avoid excessive intake of caffeine and other stimulants, especially towards the night. Stay away from alcohol as far as possible. Stop smoking - the nicotine will keep you awake. Get the TV out of your bedroom. Maintain a proper bedtime routine, going to bed at the same time every night. Avoid naps during the day. Sleep in a clean and comfortable environment, away from sound, light and noise. Eat a light dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a relaxing warm-water bath to induce sleep. The American Insomnia Association too recommends the same plus a glass of warm milk. Listen to soft music before bedtime to facilitate relaxation of the racing mind and promote sleep. Learn simple meditation and relaxation techniques. You can find many such techniques on the Internet. Remember, a few simple meditation and relaxation exercises can help reduce stress and get a refreshing dose of sleep. Some aromatherapy oils are also known to relax your mind and body, and help induce sleep. MEDICAL CURES FOR INSOMNIA Sedative-hypnotics like eszopiclone, zalephon, zolpidem are some of the most common drugs prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. However, once an insomniac begins taking these medicines, he develops a dependency on them and cannot do without his daily pill even when his stress levels come down. A new drug by the name Ramelteon has been claimed not to make the user totally drug-dependent. There is an antidepressant, Trazodone, that is also known to help insomniacs. However, continued usage of these drugs can reduce their effectiveness in the long run. Health professionals, therefore, prescribe these medications only for a brief period - a few days - and recommend that the patients must make some behavioral and lifestyle changes in order to treat their insomnia without depending too much on drugs. Apart from these drugs, melatonin hormone supplements are also prescribed to regulate the sleep patterns. Some herbal preparations such as chamomile tea and Valerian are also recommended, but data are not available on their effectiveness. BEHAVIORAL CURES Psychologists counsel insomniacs and suggest some behavioral changes and mind relaxation techniques in order to get a grip on factors that are causing their insomnia. Behavioral cures also coach an insomniac on a variety of natural sleep-inducing methods and show him how to create the ideal environment conducive to sleep. There are studies that back up such behavioral therapies, and many studies have pronounced that such therapies are way better than prescription drugs. These were some of the main cures available for insomnia. It is recommended that insomnia be cured by natural techniques, rather than relying on prescription drugs. Stress is the most common cause of insomnia, and if you can learn to conquer it with your mind, you will be able to shut out insomnia from your nights. insomnia from your nights. For more information about Insomnia and treatment alternatives, please visit us at http://completeinsomniaguide.com/ Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Robbins