Insomnia is a symptom which can accompany several sleep, medical and psychiatric disorders, characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep.

One definition of insomnia is difficulties initiating and/or maintaining sleep, or non restorative sleep, associated with impairments of daytime functioning or marked distress for more than 1 month.

Types of insomnia:
Although there are several different degrees of insomnia, three types of insomnia have been clearly identified: transient, acute, and chronic.

1. Transient insomnia lasts from days to weeks. It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, severe depression, or by stress. Its consequences – sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance – are similar to those of sleep deprivation.

2. Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months.

3. Chronic insomnia lasts for years at a time. It can be caused by another disorder, or it can be a primary disorder. Its effects can vary according to its causes. They might include being unable to sleep, muscular fatigue, hallucinations, and/or mental fatigue; but people with chronic insomnia often show increased alertness. Some people that live with this disorder see things as if they are happening in slow motion, wherein moving objects seem to blend together. Can cause double vision.

Causes:

Insomnia can be caused by:

1. Psychoactive drugs or stimulants, including certain medications, herbs, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines.

2. Restless Legs Syndrome can cause insomnia due to the discomforting sensations felt and need to move the legs or other body parts to relieve these sensations. It is difficult if not impossible to fall asleep while moving.

3. Pain: Any injury or condition that causes pain.

4. Hormone shifts such as those that precede menstruation and those during menopause.

5. Life problems like fear, stress, anxiety, emotional or mental tension, work problems, financial stress.

6. Mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, or obsessive compulsive disorder.

7. Disturbances of the circadian rhythm, such as shift work, can cause an inability to sleep at some times of the day and excessive sleepiness at other times of the day.

8. Certain neurological disorders, brain lesions, or a history of traumatic brain injury.

9. Medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis.

10. Poor sleep hygiene, e.g., noise

11. Physical exercise. Exercise-induced insomnia is common in athletes, causing prolonged sleep onset latency.

COMPLICATIONS OF INSONMNIA:

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL:
a. lowered performance
b. slower reaction time
c. risk of depression
d. risk of anxiety disorder

2. poor immune system function

3.over weight or obesity

4.high blood pressure

5.risk of cardiac disease

6.risk of diabetes

MANAGEMENT :

1. Aviod the psychoactive drugs as far as possible
2. Proper nutritious diet
3. Meditation
4. Avoidance of noise and light during bed time
5. Proper sleep hygiene

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH:

BELLADONNA:

Sleep is extremely restless, interrupted by talking, startings ,spasmodic motions, frightful images on closing the eyes
Violent throbbing in the brain
Frightful dreams which make the person wake from sleep frightened
Hot head and dilated pupils

NUX VOMICA:

Patient is very sleepy in the Cialis evening,but sleep is not sound fullor rest full
Awakens in the night with anxiety with fright full dreams
Especially suited to the persons who use excessive stimulants such as coffee,wine etc
Sleeplessness from mental over work

COFFEA CRUDA:

Excessive agitation of the body and mind
All the senses are extremely acute
It is the remedy when good news ,joys,or night watching are the causes of the insomnia

Other remedies are :

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER

CANNABIS INDICA

CHAMOMILLA

GELSEMIUM

Author Bio: Dr Guptha is medical coding trainer india

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: medical, coding, billing, training,