| Insomnia, defined as trouble falling asleep or staying | | | | age. Insomnia is the perception or complaint of |
| asleep, is a common problem. Insomnia can occur in | | | | inadequate or poor-quality sleep. Insomnia may cause |
| people of all ages. Most individuals just experience a | | | | problems during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of |
| night or two of poor sleep, but sometimes the sleep | | | | energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. |
| disturbance can last for weeks, months, or even | | | | Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), |
| years. Insomniacs typically complain of being unable | | | | intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). |
| to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than | | | | Insomnia lasting from a single night to a few weeks |
| a few minutes at a time. Insomnia is most common | | | | is referred to as transient. Insomnia may be a |
| among women and older adults. | | | | symptom of magnesium deficiency, or lower |
| Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few | | | | magnesium levels. A healthy diet containing |
| weeks. Most people occasionally suffer from transient | | | | magnesium, can help to improve sleep in individuals |
| insomnia due to such causes as jet lag or short-term | | | | without an adequate intake of magnesium. |
| anxiety. Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently | | | | Short-acting benzodiazepines or the newer hypnotic |
| sleep well for a period of between three weeks to | | | | 'Z medicines' are the current preferred medicines for |
| six months. Chronic insomnia is regarded as the most | | | | insomnia and are only available on prescription. |
| serious; persists almost nightly for at least a month. | | | | Benzodiazepines are tranquillisers and are designed to |
| Most adults have experienced insomnia or | | | | reduce anxiety and promote calmness, relaxation and |
| sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. | | | | sleep. |
| Insomnia is a common problem that may be | | | | Insomnia Treatment Tips |
| temporary or chronic. An estimated 30-50% of the | | | | 1. Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender |
| general population are affected by insomnia, and 10% | | | | oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, |
| have chronic insomnia. Stress most commonly | | | | may also help induce a state of restfulness. |
| triggers short-term or acute insomnia. | | | | 2. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have |
| Most people over 70 need less than 6 hours sleep | | | | been shown to help people sleep. |
| per night; and they tend to be light sleepers. Insomnia | | | | 3. Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment |
| is a common problem that may be temporary or | | | | for insomnia. |
| chronic. As many as one in 10 Americans have | | | | 4. A healthy diet containing magnesium, can help to |
| chronic insomnia, and at least one in four has difficulty | | | | improve sleep in individuals without an adequate |
| sleeping sometimes. But that doesn't mean you have | | | | intake of magnesium. |
| to just put up with sleepless nights. Some simple | | | | 5. Melatonin has proved effective for some |
| changes in your daily routine and habits may result in | | | | insomniacs in regulating the sleep/waking cycle. |
| better sleep. Insomnia affects all age groups. | | | | 6. Avoid or limit your use of caffeine (coffee, tea, |
| Among older adults, insomnia affects women more | | | | sodas, chocolate), decongestants, alcohol and |
| often than men. The incidence increases with age. | | | | tobacco. |
| Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute | | | | 7. Exercise more often, but don't exercise within a |
| insomnia. Chronic insomnia can lead to mental health | | | | few hours before going to bed. |
| problems such as depression, or misuse of alcohol or | | | | 8. Behavioral treatments teach you new sleep |
| other medicines in order to gain sleep. Newborn | | | | behaviors and ways to make your sleeping |
| babies can sleep for 16 hours a day, while children of | | | | environment more conducive to sleep. |
| school age need an average of 10 hours. Adults | | | | 9. Antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) also may help |
| usually need, on average, 7 to 9 hours sleep a night. | | | | with insomnia. |
| As we get older, its normal to need less sleep. | | | | 8. Avoid or limit tea, coffee, chocolate, and cold |
| Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as | | | | remedies containing caffeine. |
| short-term or acute insomnia.Insomnia affects all age | | | | 9. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking as these are |
| groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women | | | | also stimulants. |
| more often than men. The incidence increases with | | | | |