Homeopathy for Loss of Sleep (Insomnia)
The federal government's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicated that people who got less than four hours of sleep a night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than those who got the recommended seven to nine hours of rest. People averaging five hours of sleep had a 50 percent greater risk, and those with six hours of sleep had 23 percent more.
Types-
From nightmares to insomnia to sleep apnea, sleep disorders disrupt the sleep of millions of people all over the world. Let's look at the various types of sleep disorders.
1. Insomnia
whether you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early, you may be suffering from insomnia.
2. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea causes cessation of breathing in sleep, which, in turn, can cause
heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure and excessive daytime sleepiness.3. Narcolepsy
Characterized by uncontrolled sleepiness and excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy makes living a normal life difficult.
Symptoms-
Sleep Loss is go hand-in-hand.
There are some common factors associated with sleep loss that are caused by
excess fat in the throat that constricts the airway and stops the breath from
flowing naturally.
·
Having a large neck, measuring 16 inches or more
·
Falling
asleep anywhere, at any time
·
Experiencing
morning headaches
·
Having
a hard time remembering things
·
Having
a low energy level
·
Becoming
easily frustrated
·
Being
short of breath
·
Being
depressed
·
Suddenly
waking up from a deep sleep
·
Being a load snorer
Prevention-
·
Avoiding the use of alcohol
and medicines, such as sleeping pills and sedatives, before bed. These
can relax your throat muscles and slow your breathing
·
Eating sensibly, exercising, and maintaining a weight that is as close as possible to
a healthy body weight.Sleeping on your side.
Sleeping on your back can increase snoring. Try sewing a pocket in the middle
of the back of your pajama top, putting a tennis ball into the pocket, and
stitching it shut. This will help keep you from sleeping on your back. Sleeping
on your side may eliminate mild sleep apnea.
·
Quitting smoking.
The nicotine in tobacco relaxes the muscles that keep the airways open. If you
don't smoke, those muscles are less likely to collapse at night and narrow the
airways.
·
Raising the head of your bed 4 in. (10 cm) to 6
in. (15 cm) by putting bricks under the legs of the bed. Using pillows to raise
your head and upper body will not work
·
Promptly treating breathing
problems, such as a stuffy nose caused by a cold or allergies. Breathing
problems can increase the risk of snoring.
·
Avoid taking antihistamines because they can
make you drowsy and make apnea episodes worse. Instead, use decongestants,
which decrease drainage.
Remedies-
1. Belladonna. [Bell]
The sleepless conditions calling for Belladonna are due to congestion; sleep is extremely restless, as a rule it is interrupted by talking, startings, muscular jerking’s and spasmodic motions; frightful images appear on closing the eyes and the patient therefore dreads sleep. Children awake from sleep frightened. Oftentimes there is a violent throbbing in the brain which prevents sleep. The dreams found under Belladonna are frightful ones, and they constantly awaken the patient. It is probably our best remedy for insomnia due to cerebral hyperemia; that is, it will be most often indicated, also after morphine which produces cerebral hyperemia of a passive variety. Aconite comes in here, too, but with Aconite there is intense anxiety and restlessness, fear of disaster or death. Lycopodium Here the child awakens very cross; very sleepy during the daytime. Belladonna is most useful in restless sleep during dentition; sleeps with eyes partially open; sudden starting, twitching, hot head and dilated pupils will indicate it.
The sleepless conditions calling for Belladonna are due to congestion; sleep is extremely restless, as a rule it is interrupted by talking, startings, muscular jerking’s and spasmodic motions; frightful images appear on closing the eyes and the patient therefore dreads sleep. Children awake from sleep frightened. Oftentimes there is a violent throbbing in the brain which prevents sleep. The dreams found under Belladonna are frightful ones, and they constantly awaken the patient. It is probably our best remedy for insomnia due to cerebral hyperemia; that is, it will be most often indicated, also after morphine which produces cerebral hyperemia of a passive variety. Aconite comes in here, too, but with Aconite there is intense anxiety and restlessness, fear of disaster or death. Lycopodium Here the child awakens very cross; very sleepy during the daytime. Belladonna is most useful in restless sleep during dentition; sleeps with eyes partially open; sudden starting, twitching, hot head and dilated pupils will indicate it.
2. Nux vomica. [Nux-v]
The great characteristic of this remedy is that the patient is very sleepy in the evening, cannot keep awake; moreover the sleep is not sound or restful and the patient is awakened at night by anxiety and frightful dreams. He awakens at about four or five O'clock in the morning feeling somewhat refreshed, but soon resleeps and awakens at the usual time feeling worse than ever. It is especially the remedy for those who drink too much, those who abuse coffee and tea, those who are subject to abdominal disorders and a sluggish portal circulation. Sleeplessness from mental overwork, from too close study, especially at night. The morning sleep aggravates all the affections. Pulsatilla is sleepless in the evening, falling asleep very late; the sleep is restless, with frequent awakenings and troubled dreams. Sleeplessness after quinine, iron, strychnine, tea, or chloral. Cocculus has sleeplessness from mental activity. Sulphur. Cat naps; the slightest noise awakens and it is difficult to get to sleep again; sleepy in daytime
The great characteristic of this remedy is that the patient is very sleepy in the evening, cannot keep awake; moreover the sleep is not sound or restful and the patient is awakened at night by anxiety and frightful dreams. He awakens at about four or five O'clock in the morning feeling somewhat refreshed, but soon resleeps and awakens at the usual time feeling worse than ever. It is especially the remedy for those who drink too much, those who abuse coffee and tea, those who are subject to abdominal disorders and a sluggish portal circulation. Sleeplessness from mental overwork, from too close study, especially at night. The morning sleep aggravates all the affections. Pulsatilla is sleepless in the evening, falling asleep very late; the sleep is restless, with frequent awakenings and troubled dreams. Sleeplessness after quinine, iron, strychnine, tea, or chloral. Cocculus has sleeplessness from mental activity. Sulphur. Cat naps; the slightest noise awakens and it is difficult to get to sleep again; sleepy in daytime
3. Hyoscyamus. [Hyos]
Sleeplessness from nervous excitement; the brain is full of bewildering ideas and images. After long illnesses and the brain cells are ill nourished this remedy is very useful. It is especially indicated in sleeplessness in children, who twitch, cry out frightened and tremble. Sleeplessness from overworked minds and without apparent cause may be benefited by Hyoscyamus." The patient is jolly and wakeful. Hyoscyamus lacks the anxiety of Aconite, the violence of Belladonna, the pessimism of Nux vomica, and the stupidity of Gelsemium.
Sleeplessness from nervous excitement; the brain is full of bewildering ideas and images. After long illnesses and the brain cells are ill nourished this remedy is very useful. It is especially indicated in sleeplessness in children, who twitch, cry out frightened and tremble. Sleeplessness from overworked minds and without apparent cause may be benefited by Hyoscyamus." The patient is jolly and wakeful. Hyoscyamus lacks the anxiety of Aconite, the violence of Belladonna, the pessimism of Nux vomica, and the stupidity of Gelsemium.
4. Coffea.Cruda [Coff]
In cases where there is excessive agitation of body and mind, and where ideas force themselves on the mind, Coffea is the remedy, and its use as a beverage withheld. It will be found that this acts better in the higher potencies. The patient is wide awake, without the slightest inclination to sleep, and all the senses are extremely acute. It is the remedy when excitement or good news, joys or night watching causes the insomnia. It is well suited to sleeplessness in teething children, while Opium is better suited to adults. Sleeplessness from the bad effects of too good news. Platina has sleeplessness from extreme nervous irritability.
In cases where there is excessive agitation of body and mind, and where ideas force themselves on the mind, Coffea is the remedy, and its use as a beverage withheld. It will be found that this acts better in the higher potencies. The patient is wide awake, without the slightest inclination to sleep, and all the senses are extremely acute. It is the remedy when excitement or good news, joys or night watching causes the insomnia. It is well suited to sleeplessness in teething children, while Opium is better suited to adults. Sleeplessness from the bad effects of too good news. Platina has sleeplessness from extreme nervous irritability.
5. Chamomilla. [Cham]
For sleeplessness in children due to severe pain, Chamomilla is a sovereign remedy. It quiets the irritability and the emotional excitement and the patient sleeps. It is also adapted to weak, nervous women. The sleep is tormented by dreams which are fanciful, vivid and anxious; the patient is hot and thirsty. Moaning in sleep. This is also a remedy acting better in the higher potencies. Ignatia has sleeplessness from depressing news, recent grief, causing a hyperaemia. Opium suits sleeplessness when the patient is sleepy but cannot get to sleep, is kept awake by hearing distinctly ordinary noises, such as the ticking of clocks and the crowing of cocks. Great drowsiness is characteristic of the remedy.
For sleeplessness in children due to severe pain, Chamomilla is a sovereign remedy. It quiets the irritability and the emotional excitement and the patient sleeps. It is also adapted to weak, nervous women. The sleep is tormented by dreams which are fanciful, vivid and anxious; the patient is hot and thirsty. Moaning in sleep. This is also a remedy acting better in the higher potencies. Ignatia has sleeplessness from depressing news, recent grief, causing a hyperaemia. Opium suits sleeplessness when the patient is sleepy but cannot get to sleep, is kept awake by hearing distinctly ordinary noises, such as the ticking of clocks and the crowing of cocks. Great drowsiness is characteristic of the remedy.
6. Gelsemium. [Gels]
For the insomnia of brain workers, Gelsemium is a remedy. It is indicated in business men who pass restless nights, awaken early in the morning and worry over their business affairs. It also is most useful in a state of alternate excitement and depression. Bryonia is useful where the business cares of the day keep him awake. Gelsemium has also sleeplessness from emotional disturbances, and after evening company. Ambra grisea is another remedy for sleeplessness from worry and business troubles. The patient goes to bed tired, but immediately becomes wakeful. It is especially suited to thin, spare men who are nervous and subject to nervous chills.
For the insomnia of brain workers, Gelsemium is a remedy. It is indicated in business men who pass restless nights, awaken early in the morning and worry over their business affairs. It also is most useful in a state of alternate excitement and depression. Bryonia is useful where the business cares of the day keep him awake. Gelsemium has also sleeplessness from emotional disturbances, and after evening company. Ambra grisea is another remedy for sleeplessness from worry and business troubles. The patient goes to bed tired, but immediately becomes wakeful. It is especially suited to thin, spare men who are nervous and subject to nervous chills.
7. Sulphur. [Sulph]
Sleeplessness from nervous excitement, cutaneous irritations and external heat. The patient is drowsy all day and sleepless at night. Sleeps in "cat naps", wakes frequently. Arsenicum is a useful remedy for the sleeplessness of malnutrition, where there is general degeneration of the blood and exhaustion of the nervous system. Restlessness of anaemic irritability. Cinchona has sleeplessness from exhausting diseases. The mind is active and the patient indulges in castle building. Phosphorus. Sleeplessness following intense mental overwork and anxiety coupled with confusion, vertigo and pain in the head.
Sleeplessness from nervous excitement, cutaneous irritations and external heat. The patient is drowsy all day and sleepless at night. Sleeps in "cat naps", wakes frequently. Arsenicum is a useful remedy for the sleeplessness of malnutrition, where there is general degeneration of the blood and exhaustion of the nervous system. Restlessness of anaemic irritability. Cinchona has sleeplessness from exhausting diseases. The mind is active and the patient indulges in castle building. Phosphorus. Sleeplessness following intense mental overwork and anxiety coupled with confusion, vertigo and pain in the head.
8. Cannabis Indica. [Cann-i]
In obstinate and intractable forms of insomnia, Cannabis is one of the best remedies we have to induce sleep. An irregular sleep is more of an indication than absolute insomnia. It produces a tranquil slumber, relieves the nervousness and neuralgic pains.
In obstinate and intractable forms of insomnia, Cannabis is one of the best remedies we have to induce sleep. An irregular sleep is more of an indication than absolute insomnia. It produces a tranquil slumber, relieves the nervousness and neuralgic pains.
9. Passiflora incarnata
[Passi F]
Passiflora incarnata in mother tincture form in doses of from 30 to 60 drops, and repeated if
necessary, will induce sleep when mental irritation or pain is the cause of the
wakefulness. Camphora mono-bromata is useful for sleeplessness due to the continued use of
tea.
10. Scleranthus
Scleranthus
the grasshopper mind, various thoughts coming in from all angles, bits of this
and that, never quite finishing with one thought before another pops in.
Scleranthus allows the mind to be more directed, focussed, centred and clear.
11. Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle
is the remedy for those who suffer from dreams, nightmares, flashbacks or any
recurring thoughts from the past. Honeysuckle will bring you into the present
time so the thoughts and images from the past have no need to be there.
12.
Vervain
Vervain
is the remedy for very busy mind, who is always planning, organising,
over-enthusiastic, intense, over busy. Vervain allows your mind to relax.
