What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder. People who have insomnia have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. As a result, they may get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. They may not feel refreshed when they wake up.
Overview
Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). Acute insomnia is common and often is brought on by situations such as stress at work, family pressures, or a traumatic event. Acute insomnia lasts for days or weeks.
Chronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer. Most cases of chronic insomnia are secondary, which means they are the symptom or side effect of some other problem. Certain medical conditions, medicines, sleep disorders, and substances can cause secondary insomnia.
In contrast, primary insomnia isn't due to medical problems, medicines, or other substances. It is its own distinct disorder, and its cause isn’t well understood. Many life changes can trigger primary insomnia, including long-lasting stress and emotional upset.
Insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. It also can make you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. You may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning, and remembering. These problems can prevent you from doing your best at work or school.
Insomnia also can cause other serious problems. For example, you may feel drowsy while driving, which could lead to an accident.
Treating the underlying cause of secondary insomnia may resolve or improve the sleep problem, especially if you can correct the problem soon after it starts. For example, if caffeine is causing your insomnia, stopping or limiting your intake of the substance might make the insomnia go away.
Lifestyle changes, including better sleep habits, often help relieve acute insomnia. For chronic insomnia, your doctor may recommend medicines or
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder. People who have insomnia have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. As a result, they may get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. They may not feel refreshed when they wake up.
Overview
Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). Acute insomnia is common and often is brought on by situations such as stress at work, family pressures, or a traumatic event. Acute insomnia lasts for days or weeks.
Chronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer. Most cases of chronic insomnia are secondary, which means they are the symptom or side effect of some other problem. Certain medical conditions, medicines, sleep disorders, and substances can cause secondary insomnia.
In contrast, primary insomnia isn't due to medical problems, medicines, or other substances. It is its own distinct disorder, and its cause isn’t well understood. Many life changes can trigger primary insomnia, including long-lasting stress and emotional upset.
Insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. It also can make you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. You may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning, and remembering. These problems can prevent you from doing your best at work or school.
Insomnia also can cause other serious problems. For example, you may feel drowsy while driving, which could lead to an accident.
Treating the underlying cause of secondary insomnia may resolve or improve the sleep problem, especially if you can correct the problem soon after it starts. For example, if caffeine is causing your insomnia, stopping or limiting your intake of the substance might make the insomnia go away.
Lifestyle changes, including better sleep habits, often help relieve acute insomnia. For chronic insomnia, your doctor may recommend medicines or
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Insomnia in children and teens
Sleep problems may be a concern for children and teenagers as well. However, some children and teens simply have trouble getting to sleep or resist a regular bedtime because their internal clocks are more delayed. They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the morning
Secondary Insomnia
Secondary insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem. This type of insomnia often is a symptom of an emotional, neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder.
Emotional disorders that can cause insomnia include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of neurological disorders that can cause insomnia.
Many other disorders or factors also can cause insomnia, such as:
Secondary insomnia also can be a side effect of some medicines. For example, certain asthma medicines, such as theophylline, and some allergy and cold medicines can cause insomnia. Beta blockers also can cause the condition. These medicines are used to treat heart conditions.
Commonly used substances also can cause insomnia. Examples include caffeine and other stimulants, tobacco and other nicotine products, and alcohol and other sedatives.
Sleep problems may be a concern for children and teenagers as well. However, some children and teens simply have trouble getting to sleep or resist a regular bedtime because their internal clocks are more delayed. They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the morning
Secondary Insomnia
Secondary insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem. This type of insomnia often is a symptom of an emotional, neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder.
Emotional disorders that can cause insomnia include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of neurological disorders that can cause insomnia.
Many other disorders or factors also can cause insomnia, such as:
- Conditions that cause chronic (ongoing) pain, such as arthritis and headache disorders
- Conditions that make it hard to breathe, such as asthma and heart failure
- An overactive thyroid
- Gastrointestinal disorders, such as heartburn
- Stroke
- Sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep-related breathing problems
- Menopause and hot flashes
Secondary insomnia also can be a side effect of some medicines. For example, certain asthma medicines, such as theophylline, and some allergy and cold medicines can cause insomnia. Beta blockers also can cause the condition. These medicines are used to treat heart conditions.
Commonly used substances also can cause insomnia. Examples include caffeine and other stimulants, tobacco and other nicotine products, and alcohol and other sedatives.
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia isn't a symptom or side effect of another medical condition. It is its own distinct disorder, and its cause isn’t well understood. Primary insomnia usually lasts for at least 1 month.
Many life changes can trigger primary insomnia. It may be due to major or long-lasting stress or emotional upset. Travel or other factors, such as work schedules that disrupt your sleep routine, also may trigger primary insomnia.
Even if these issues are resolved, the insomnia may not go away. Trouble sleeping can persist because of habits formed to deal with the lack of sleep. These habits might include taking naps, worrying about sleep, and going to bed early.
Researchers continue to try to find out whether some people are born with an increased risk for primary insomnia.
Acute vs. Chronic Insomnia
Insomnia also varies in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. It can be short-term (acute insomnia) or can last a long time (chronic insomnia). It can also come and go, with periods of time when a person has no sleep problems. Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. Insomnia is called chronic when a person has insomnia at least three nights a week for a month or longer.
Primary insomnia isn't a symptom or side effect of another medical condition. It is its own distinct disorder, and its cause isn’t well understood. Primary insomnia usually lasts for at least 1 month.
Many life changes can trigger primary insomnia. It may be due to major or long-lasting stress or emotional upset. Travel or other factors, such as work schedules that disrupt your sleep routine, also may trigger primary insomnia.
Even if these issues are resolved, the insomnia may not go away. Trouble sleeping can persist because of habits formed to deal with the lack of sleep. These habits might include taking naps, worrying about sleep, and going to bed early.
Researchers continue to try to find out whether some people are born with an increased risk for primary insomnia.
Acute vs. Chronic Insomnia
Insomnia also varies in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. It can be short-term (acute insomnia) or can last a long time (chronic insomnia). It can also come and go, with periods of time when a person has no sleep problems. Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. Insomnia is called chronic when a person has insomnia at least three nights a week for a month or longer.
Who Is at Risk for Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common disorder. It affects women more often than men. The disorder can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people.
People who might be at increased risk for insomnia include those who:
Insomnia is a common disorder. It affects women more often than men. The disorder can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people.
People who might be at increased risk for insomnia include those who:
- Have a lot of stress.
- Are depressed or have other emotional distress, such as divorce or death of a spouse.
- Have lower incomes.
- Work at night or have frequent major shifts in their work hours.
- Travel long distances with time changes.
- Have certain medical conditions or sleep disorders that can disrupt sleep.
- Have an inactive lifestyle.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia?
The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep.
If you have insomnia you may:
The lack of sleep can cause other symptoms. You may wake up feeling tired or not well-rested, and you may feel tired during the day. You also may have trouble focusing on tasks. Insomnia can cause you to feel anxious, depressed, or irritable.
Insomnia also can affect your daily activities and cause serious problems. For example, you may feel drowsy while driving. Driver sleepiness (not related to alcohol) is responsible for almost 20 percent of all serious car crash injuries. Research also shows that insomnia raises older women’s risk of falling.
If insomnia is affecting your daily activities, talk with your Homeopath. Treatment may help you avoid symptoms and problems related to the disorder. Also, poor sleep may be a sign of other health problems. Finding and treating those problems could improve your overall health and sleep.
The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep.
If you have insomnia you may:
- Lie awake for a long time before you fall asleep
- Sleep for only short periods
- Be awake for much of the night
- Feel as if you haven't slept at all
- Wake up too early
The lack of sleep can cause other symptoms. You may wake up feeling tired or not well-rested, and you may feel tired during the day. You also may have trouble focusing on tasks. Insomnia can cause you to feel anxious, depressed, or irritable.
Insomnia also can affect your daily activities and cause serious problems. For example, you may feel drowsy while driving. Driver sleepiness (not related to alcohol) is responsible for almost 20 percent of all serious car crash injuries. Research also shows that insomnia raises older women’s risk of falling.
If insomnia is affecting your daily activities, talk with your Homeopath. Treatment may help you avoid symptoms and problems related to the disorder. Also, poor sleep may be a sign of other health problems. Finding and treating those problems could improve your overall health and sleep.
How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?
Your Homeopath will likely diagnose insomnia based on your medical and sleep histories. He or she also may recommend a sleep study. For example, you may have a sleep study if the cause of your insomnia is unclear.
Medical History
Your doctor also may ask questions about your work and leisure habits. For example, he or she may ask about your work and exercise routines; your use of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol; and your long-distance travel history. Your answers can give clues about what's causing your insomnia.
Your doctor also may ask whether you have any new or ongoing work or personal problems or other stresses in your life. Also, he or she may ask whether you have other family members who have sleep problems.
Sleep History
To get a better sense of your sleep problem, your doctor will ask you for details about your sleep habits. Before your visit/consultation, think about how to describe your problems, including:
To help your doctor, consider keeping a sleep diary for 1 or 2 weeks. Write down when you go to sleep, wake up, and take naps. (For example, you might note: Went to bed at 10 a.m.; woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep; napped after work for 2 hours.) Also write down how much you sleep each night, as well as how sleepy you feel throughout the day.
Your Homeopath will likely diagnose insomnia based on your medical and sleep histories. He or she also may recommend a sleep study. For example, you may have a sleep study if the cause of your insomnia is unclear.
Medical History
- To find out what's causing your insomnia, your doctor may ask whether you:
- Have any new or ongoing health problems
- Have painful injuries or health conditions, such as arthritis
- Take any medicines, either over-the-counter or prescription
- Have symptoms or a history of depression, anxiety, or psychosis
- Are coping with highly stressful life events, such as divorce or death
Your doctor also may ask questions about your work and leisure habits. For example, he or she may ask about your work and exercise routines; your use of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol; and your long-distance travel history. Your answers can give clues about what's causing your insomnia.
Your doctor also may ask whether you have any new or ongoing work or personal problems or other stresses in your life. Also, he or she may ask whether you have other family members who have sleep problems.
Sleep History
To get a better sense of your sleep problem, your doctor will ask you for details about your sleep habits. Before your visit/consultation, think about how to describe your problems, including:
- How often you have trouble sleeping and how long you've had the problem
- When you go to bed and get up on workdays and days off
- How long it takes you to fall asleep, how often you wake up at night, and how long it takes to fall back asleep
- Whether you snore loudly and often or wake up gasping or feeling out of breath
- How refreshed you feel when you wake up, and how tired you feel during the day
- How often you doze off or have trouble staying awake during routine tasks, especially driving
- To find out what's causing or worsening your insomnia, your doctor also may ask you:
- Whether you worry about falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting enough sleep
- What you eat or drink, and whether you take medicines before going to bed
- What routine you follow before going to bed
- What the noise level, lighting, and temperature are like where you sleep
- What distractions, such as a TV or computer, are in your bedroom
To help your doctor, consider keeping a sleep diary for 1 or 2 weeks. Write down when you go to sleep, wake up, and take naps. (For example, you might note: Went to bed at 10 a.m.; woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep; napped after work for 2 hours.) Also write down how much you sleep each night, as well as how sleepy you feel throughout the day.
Insomnia and aging
Insomnia becomes more common with age. As you get older, you may experience:
Insomnia becomes more common with age. As you get older, you may experience:
- Changes in sleep patterns. Sleep often becomes less restful as you age, so noise or other changes in your environment are more likely to wake you. With age, your internal clock often advances, so you get tired earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning. But older people generally still need the same amount of sleep as younger people do.
- Changes in activity. You may be less physically or socially active. A lack of activity can interfere with a good night's sleep. Also, the less active you are, the more likely you may be to take a daily nap, which can interfere with sleep at night.
- Changes in health. Chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis or back problems as well as depression or anxiety can interfere with sleep. Issues that increase the need to urinate during the night ―such as prostate or bladder problems ― can disrupt sleep. Sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome become more common with age.
- More medications. Older people typically use more prescription drugs than younger people do, which increases the chance of insomnia associated with medications.
How Is Insomnia (Conventionally) Treated?
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia. These changes might make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing) insomnia. Anxiety tends to prolong insomnia.
Several medicines also can help relieve insomnia and re-establish a regular sleep schedule. However, if your insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem, it's important to treat the underlying cause (if possible).
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia. These changes might make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing) insomnia. Anxiety tends to prolong insomnia.
Several medicines also can help relieve insomnia and re-establish a regular sleep schedule. However, if your insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem, it's important to treat the underlying cause (if possible).
Lifestyle Changes
If you have insomnia, avoid substances that make it worse, such as:
Caffeine, tobacco, and other stimulants. The effects of these substances can last as long as 8 hours.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can disrupt sleep (for example, some cold and allergy medicines). Talk with your doctor about which medicines won't disrupt your sleep.
Alcohol. An alcoholic drink before bedtime might make it easier for you to fall asleep. However, alcohol triggers sleep that tends to be lighter than normal. This makes it more likely that you will wake up during the night.
Try to adopt bedtime habits that make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Follow a routine that helps you wind down and relax before bed. For example, read a book, listen to soothing music, or take a hot bath.
Try to schedule your daily exercise at least 5 to 6 hours before going to bed. Don't eat heavy meals or drink a lot before bedtime.
Make your bedroom sleep-friendly. Avoid bright lighting while winding down. Try to limit possible distractions, such as a TV, computer, or pet. Make sure the temperature of your bedroom is cool and comfortable. Your bedroom also should be dark and quiet.
Go to sleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning, even on weekends. If you can, avoid night shifts, alternating schedules, or other things that may disrupt your sleep schedule
If you have insomnia, avoid substances that make it worse, such as:
Caffeine, tobacco, and other stimulants. The effects of these substances can last as long as 8 hours.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can disrupt sleep (for example, some cold and allergy medicines). Talk with your doctor about which medicines won't disrupt your sleep.
Alcohol. An alcoholic drink before bedtime might make it easier for you to fall asleep. However, alcohol triggers sleep that tends to be lighter than normal. This makes it more likely that you will wake up during the night.
Try to adopt bedtime habits that make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Follow a routine that helps you wind down and relax before bed. For example, read a book, listen to soothing music, or take a hot bath.
Try to schedule your daily exercise at least 5 to 6 hours before going to bed. Don't eat heavy meals or drink a lot before bedtime.
Make your bedroom sleep-friendly. Avoid bright lighting while winding down. Try to limit possible distractions, such as a TV, computer, or pet. Make sure the temperature of your bedroom is cool and comfortable. Your bedroom also should be dark and quiet.
Go to sleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning, even on weekends. If you can, avoid night shifts, alternating schedules, or other things that may disrupt your sleep schedule
Risk factors
- Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night. But your risk of insomnia is greater if:
- You're a woman. Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle and in menopause may play a role. During menopause, night sweats and hot flashes often disrupt sleep. Insomnia is also common with pregnancy.
- You're over age 60. Because of changes in sleep patterns and health, insomnia increases with age.
- You have a mental health disorder or physical health condition. Many issues that impact your mental or physical health can disrupt sleep.
- You're under a lot of stress. Stressful times and events can cause temporary insomnia. And major or long-lasting stress can lead to chronic insomnia.
- You don't have a regular schedule. For example, changing shifts at work or traveling can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle
Complications
Sleep is as important to your health as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically. People with insomnia report a lower quality of life compared with people who are sleeping well.
Complications of insomnia may include:
Sleep is as important to your health as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically. People with insomnia report a lower quality of life compared with people who are sleeping well.
Complications of insomnia may include:
- Lower performance on the job or at school
- Slowed reaction time while driving and a higher risk of accidents
- Mental health disorders, such as depression, an anxiety disorder or substance abuse
- Increased risk and severity of long-term diseases or conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease
Homeopathy and insomnia
Homeopathy can often make a big difference to insomniacs. The approach is to consider the sleep disturbance as part of the overall clinical picture. There is no such thing as a homeopathic sleep-ing-tablet, just as there is no such thing as a homeopathic painkiller. The well-selected remedy, if it includes the pattern of the sleep disturbance, may solve the problem.
Having an awareness of what happens during the sleep cycle can be helpful, in that it might indicate a remedy or group of remedies. For example, dutiful types who tend to waken in the early hours with an aggravation of some symptom or another between two and four may well need one of the Kali salts.
The following patterns may also help in the choice of a remedy.
Homeopathy can often make a big difference to insomniacs. The approach is to consider the sleep disturbance as part of the overall clinical picture. There is no such thing as a homeopathic sleep-ing-tablet, just as there is no such thing as a homeopathic painkiller. The well-selected remedy, if it includes the pattern of the sleep disturbance, may solve the problem.
Having an awareness of what happens during the sleep cycle can be helpful, in that it might indicate a remedy or group of remedies. For example, dutiful types who tend to waken in the early hours with an aggravation of some symptom or another between two and four may well need one of the Kali salts.
The following patterns may also help in the choice of a remedy.
1) Difficulty getting off to sleep:
This is a common problem with anxiety states, so the remedies in which an anxiety component is prominent may help. Aconite may help the person who panics on going to bed. They may fear sleep; feel that they might not wake up, so sleep could take on the spectre of death. Arsenicum album may help the restless, meticulous type of person who cannot get off to sleep because they have to get everything ordered in their mind.
This is a common problem with anxiety states, so the remedies in which an anxiety component is prominent may help. Aconite may help the person who panics on going to bed. They may fear sleep; feel that they might not wake up, so sleep could take on the spectre of death. Arsenicum album may help the restless, meticulous type of person who cannot get off to sleep because they have to get everything ordered in their mind.
2) Light sleepers:
Wakefulness from the least background noise is suggestive of a need for Coffea with its heightened sensitivity and inability to get into the deeper stages of sleep. Asarum also helps when any noise wakens the sleeper, especially if they have great sensitivity to any noise during the day. Insomnia after over-indulgence in stimulants, food, drink or after overexerting oneself late in the day may indicate Nux vomica.
Wakefulness from the least background noise is suggestive of a need for Coffea with its heightened sensitivity and inability to get into the deeper stages of sleep. Asarum also helps when any noise wakens the sleeper, especially if they have great sensitivity to any noise during the day. Insomnia after over-indulgence in stimulants, food, drink or after overexerting oneself late in the day may indicate Nux vomica.
3) Frequent waking:
In addition to those who are very light sleepers, the following remedies may help those people who seem to wake frequently, and who may find that they lie awake for an hour or so before getting off again. Alumina might help, especially if in the morning the individual is slow, dull and subject to awareness of symptoms or aggravations of other conditions on waking. Baryta carb may have this pattern, but also be prone to waking from nightmares. And Hepar sulph, one of the most sensitive of remedies, might suit the person who wakes if a toe or foot somehow gets exposed in the night.
In addition to those who are very light sleepers, the following remedies may help those people who seem to wake frequently, and who may find that they lie awake for an hour or so before getting off again. Alumina might help, especially if in the morning the individual is slow, dull and subject to awareness of symptoms or aggravations of other conditions on waking. Baryta carb may have this pattern, but also be prone to waking from nightmares. And Hepar sulph, one of the most sensitive of remedies, might suit the person who wakes if a toe or foot somehow gets exposed in the night.
4) Restlessness:
Here we have to consider any physical condition that may be causing the restlessness. Treating that with the appropriate remedy may help, but otherwise the following restless remedies may be useful. Ignatia is useful in people who experience insomnia after a loss of some sort. They may sigh and yawn a lot, yet find sleep difficult to come, and find it fitful at best. They may twitch, toss and turn and be subject to nightmares. Natrum muriaticum is also frequently indicated in insomnia after bereavement, slight or loss. The pattern of insomnia here may be associated with feeling isolated, feeling aggrieved and finally crying themselves off to fitful sleep.
Zincum metallicum may help the nervous type of person prone to twitchy feet and restless legs. Arnica may help when the individual cannot get comfortable, because the bed (whatever it is like) just feels too hard.
Here we have to consider any physical condition that may be causing the restlessness. Treating that with the appropriate remedy may help, but otherwise the following restless remedies may be useful. Ignatia is useful in people who experience insomnia after a loss of some sort. They may sigh and yawn a lot, yet find sleep difficult to come, and find it fitful at best. They may twitch, toss and turn and be subject to nightmares. Natrum muriaticum is also frequently indicated in insomnia after bereavement, slight or loss. The pattern of insomnia here may be associated with feeling isolated, feeling aggrieved and finally crying themselves off to fitful sleep.
Zincum metallicum may help the nervous type of person prone to twitchy feet and restless legs. Arnica may help when the individual cannot get comfortable, because the bed (whatever it is like) just feels too hard.
5) Early morning waking:
By this I mean waking at 4 or 5am onwards and not being able to fall off again. This is very common in sadness and depression. Aurum metallicum needs to be considered when the individual feels totally down, perhaps with thoughts of self-harm. Waking early and feeling angry and down may be helped by Staphysagria, especially if there is a tendency to feel sleepy throughout the waking day. Whereas those needing Staphysagria might not actually vent their anger, people who wake feeling down and cross, and who are decidedly prickly to those around them may benefit from Nitric acid.
By this I mean waking at 4 or 5am onwards and not being able to fall off again. This is very common in sadness and depression. Aurum metallicum needs to be considered when the individual feels totally down, perhaps with thoughts of self-harm. Waking early and feeling angry and down may be helped by Staphysagria, especially if there is a tendency to feel sleepy throughout the waking day. Whereas those needing Staphysagria might not actually vent their anger, people who wake feeling down and cross, and who are decidedly prickly to those around them may benefit from Nitric acid.
6) Too hot or too cold:
When someone often wakes up suddenly, usually from an anxiety dream, feeling hot with a sweaty head, then Silica may help. Others who also wake up with their head bathed in perspiration, especially if prone to be overweight, and who suffer from cold feet, may benefit from Calcarea carbonica. By contrast, people who wake with hot feet, who feel that the bed has become too hot so that it makes them itchy and irritable, may be helped by Sulphur.
When someone often wakes up suddenly, usually from an anxiety dream, feeling hot with a sweaty head, then Silica may help. Others who also wake up with their head bathed in perspiration, especially if prone to be overweight, and who suffer from cold feet, may benefit from Calcarea carbonica. By contrast, people who wake with hot feet, who feel that the bed has become too hot so that it makes them itchy and irritable, may be helped by Sulphur.
7) Too tired to sleep:
The remedy that one immediately thinks of when someone has been deprived of sleep and wants to get back to sleep is Cocculus. We think of this as the “carer’s remedy”. If a parent has to get up to see to a child, a carer to look after a loved one or patient, then this remedy will often do the trick. It is also useful if jet lag has produced a short term problem with insomnia.
The remedy that one immediately thinks of when someone has been deprived of sleep and wants to get back to sleep is Cocculus. We think of this as the “carer’s remedy”. If a parent has to get up to see to a child, a carer to look after a loved one or patient, then this remedy will often do the trick. It is also useful if jet lag has produced a short term problem with insomnia.
8) Bad dreams or no dreams:
If bad dreams waken the sleeper and prevent further sleep, then Belladonna is a good choice, especially if the dreams have been of falling. China may help those people who sleep lightly and who “day dream” a lot, even as they are trying to get to sleep, about performing acts of heroism or daring-do.
Insomnia taking the form of poor, unrefreshing sleep associated with an inability to recall dreams (perhaps even feeling that they have never dreamed) may suggest Lycopodium, especially if they get accompanying digestive troubles.
If bad dreams waken the sleeper and prevent further sleep, then Belladonna is a good choice, especially if the dreams have been of falling. China may help those people who sleep lightly and who “day dream” a lot, even as they are trying to get to sleep, about performing acts of heroism or daring-do.
Insomnia taking the form of poor, unrefreshing sleep associated with an inability to recall dreams (perhaps even feeling that they have never dreamed) may suggest Lycopodium, especially if they get accompanying digestive troubles.
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https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/inso/
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