Coping With Long-term insomnia
Millions of people today suffer from insomnia which, perhaps surprisingly, can be a serious condition. insomnia is quite simply a difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep and a failure to enjoy a sufficiently refreshing night of sleep.
Mild in nature and lasting for a matter of just a few days, transient insomnia is something we all suffer from occasionally and is nothing to worry about. Next, we have acute insomnia which is a little bit more problematic and can last up to a month. Lastly comes the real problem child. Chronic insomnia can last literally for years and often bring with it some serious complications.
We need to approach chronic insomnia quite differently from the other two forms of the condition and our starting point should be to establish whether it is a primary of a secondary condition. For example, is it your inability to sleep which is leading to other health problems or do you have an underlying health problem which is causing your inability to sleep?
These day sleeping pills are all too often prescribed for insomnia and, while there is no doubt that they work in the short term, they carry with them a host of unwanted side-effects. For instance, it is quite common to experience dizziness or stomach problems with sleeping pills. So, before you decide to start taking sleeping pills try looking at some of the natural alternatives.
Because of the stimulant effect of things like caffeine and sugar you should cut down on these, especially during the evening. This will also have the added benefit of countering the diuretic effect of caffeine which will otherwise have you up and visiting the bathroom during the night. Take some light to moderate exercise during the day, but not too close to bedtime, and also try to find some time for relaxation. Meditation exercises can also be very helpful.
Chronic insomnia is a serious problem that can affect people in profound ways. Sufferers tend to be constantly tired during the day and prone to such things as nervousness and worry. This can have serious consequences both at work and in an individual’s private life. Luckily there are all sorts of treatments available today which you can often avail yourself of on a self-help basis. However, if the problem persists you should certainly consult your doctor.
Read and learn a good deal more about insomnia and such specific conditions as chronic insomnia and others.