Insomnia, by itself, is not a disease. It may be a symptom of a physical and emotional imbalance or just manifestation of fatigue caused by lack of sleep. This condition is manifested by any of the following: a) light, interrupted sleep that one is still tired upon waking up, b) not being able to sleep, even if fatigued, c) lack of sleeping hours. Although this condition is usually temporary, insomnia may be classified based on the length of time it has affected the patient.

* Transient Insomnia - This circumstance remains just for a couple of days. Transient insomnia is typically caused by tension or as a direct reaction to change. It is occasionally called adjustment sleep disorder. The disorder might spring up after a traumatic issue or even during minor changes such as travelling or atmospheric condition changes.

Caffeine and nicotine are likewise maintained to affect sleeping patterns. Caffeine, which is present in coffee, and nicotine, existing in cigarettes, can induce transient insomnia. In most cases, treatment for transient insomnia is not needed. It usually concludes after a few days once the individual was capable to adapt to the brand-new situations or environment.

* Short-term Insomnia - This lasts for three weeks or less. Short-term insomnia and transient insomnia are almost similar in their causes.

Female hormonal changes can affect sleep patterns. One of the female hormones, progesterone, promotes sleep. During menstruation, when its levels are low, women may experience insomnia. On the other hand, during ovulation, the increase in progesterone levels increases sleepiness. Fluctuations in the level of progesterone during pregnancy and menopause cause altered sleeping patterns leading to transient insomnia. Although women after 50 also experience chronic insomnia, this is usually caused by psychological or emotional factors.

Changes in working conditions, such as shifting schedules, also cause short-term insomnia. Also, people who tend to overwork get less sleep than the average. In one study, insomnia was also observed in people doing much computer work.

Light can also touch on one’s sleep. A bit much light at nighttime can interrupt sleep or even prevent sleepiness. Also, little light during the day, as in disabled or senior patients who seldom go out can also cause short-term insomnia. This is since the degrees of melatonin reacting to darkness. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-sized gland at the centre of the brain, that assists and regulates the cycles of sleeping and awaking.

* Chronic insomnia - when a person couldn’t sleep, has interrupted sleep, or is still tired after sleeping; and the condition recurs for more than two nights every week for more than one month. Also, it is characterized when the patient is fatigued and believes that his daily activities are affected by this sleeping condition.

Based on the causes, chronic insomnia may be further characterized into primary or secondary: * Primary chronic insomnia - when the insomnia is not caused by any physical or mental imbalance. * Secondary chronic insomnia - may be caused by physical and mental conditions, such as depression, or emotional and psychiatric disorders.

In one study, in industrialized nations, chronic insomnia affects about ten percent of adults. Insomnia can affect a patient during daytime when patient may experience sleepiness in the mornings or in the afternoon. Some, despite their sleepiness report failure to nap. Even worse, another group reported excessive energy during the day. These people are more anxious and even more irritable.

Due to failure to get enough rest, these people have reduced concentration. If someone has preexisting medical condition, such as orthopedic pain or arthritis, this may be worsened by insomnia. When one suspects that he or she has insomnia, consulting a doctor would be the best advise. One of these therapies may also be tried.

* Minimizing ingestion of beverages containing caffeine. This includes coffee, cola and chocolate. It is advisable to limit intake after 3pm. For most individuals, these substances are excreted from the body in a couple of hours. But some people have slow biological excreting process, which caffeine can remain in the body longer than the norm.

* People can also limit stay in bed during the sleeping hours. This is effective to increase the tendency to sleep when in bed.

No longer a rare occurrence, insomnia affects many people each year. The good news is many of the sufferers are suffering only temporary. Those who occasionally deal with temporary insomnia can almost always link their lack of rest to a specific life event or something stressful occurring in their life.

Those who deal with insomnia that lasts longer than a few nights here and there, may struggle with the problem for weeks. Sometimes, persistent insomnia can go on for months or years! Those who are familiar with chronic insomnia know exactly how bothersome the side effects of insomnia can actually be.

Prior to dealing with the side effects of insomnia, determining the kind from which the individual suffers is a key component. Generally speaking, there are three major kinds of insomnia and sufferers usually consistently fall into one category. They either fail to fall asleep at all; they may fall asleep but awaken again intermittently every hour or two, or lastly they may fall asleep and remain asleep for a period of three hours or slightly more, only to awaken after that time and not find it possible to return to sleep.

Those who suffer from insomnia often seek out over-the-counter medication for help. Sadly, most sleep aids found over-the-counter don’t address each form of insomnia, but only focus on helping you get to sleep. Sufferers who can fall asleep but can’t stay asleep often find themselves still waking in the night, with increased tiredness from the pills.

Headaches and a difficulty in concentration are the most noted side effects by those suffering with insomnia. Combining these two side effects with an overall irritability can produce difficult relationships in both the social and professional world of the insomniac. The insomniac may not want their condition to interfere or relate to their relationships, but it can be nearly impossible most of the time.

When an insomniac has run out of natural energy reserves, chronic insomnia becomes a dangerous condition. The lack of sleep may cause problems with driving and reacting to traffic situations even as a pedestrian. The sufferer may find that she or he is at a heightened risk of becoming involved in a traffic accident.

Sometimes insomniacs become aware that their insomnia is affecting their personal and professional behavior, and they take unwise action. Often, they may attempt to make up for the lack of sleep, their poor concentration and moody nature by using drugs and other stimulants. Sadly, many of these drugs and stimulants are not healthy and can poorly affect many other possible existing conditions the insomniac may be experiencing.

Often insomniacs will try to get a good night’s sleep by “self-medicating” with alcohol or recreational drugs. The danger in this type of practice is incredible for the insomniac and their loved ones. The good news is there are many treatments out there which help those who have trouble sleeping, gain the rest they badly need.

Medical treatments for insomnia can range from expensive to very expensive prices. Why would you shell out so much money when you can find natural treatments for insomnia in your very own kitchen? There are even available techniques so simple and familiar that it would fool the average person it can actually help in treating insomnia.

Herbal supplements are one of the natural treatments for insomnia. The herb, Valerian, has been used long ago to treat insomnia. Now, you can purchase this herb as on over-the-counter remedy in countries such as Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Belgium. It is thought to believe that Valerian affects GABA, which is a calming neurotransmitter. The advantage of this herbal supplement is that it is not addictive and is safe for use. It is typically taken an hour before bedtime but takes about two to three weeks to work.

Another option for natural treatments for insomnia is to alter your body melatonin level. Melatonin occurs naturally in the body. It is produced by the body’s pineal gland and is released initially as serotonin. At night, it is converted to melatonin when the body senses that it is no longer exposed to light. Taken as a supplement, it is taken best thirty minutes before going to bed.

You can also use an anti-anxiety herb such as Kava to treat insomnia naturally. Kava was studied to be effective in treating anxiety-related insomnia but its use for the public is still controlled because of rising reports of adverse effects to the body.

Relaxation is one of the most common natural treatments for insomnia that people most often fail to realize. When you are under stress, your muscles become tense and you also have a lot on your mind. Techniques such as relaxation response, visualization, Yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness all help give you peace of mind, enabling you to sleep much better at night.

In order to enhance the effects of these natural treatments, it is imperative that you change your lifestyle also, starting with your diet. Do avoid over consumption of caffeine. You should also avoid ingesting too much sugar as this gives you a burst of energy preventing you from sleeping. The foods you should be eating are those that contain Tryptophan which is a precursor to serotonin and magnesium-rich foods from vegetables and legumes. Magnesium is known to be a natural sedative.

Other natural treatments for insomnia include aromatherapy, light, music, acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicines. All of these natural treatments are alternatives to treating insomnia. They all function to help soothe your muscles and brain and create an environment conducive for sleep.

My health blog will give you insights on the natural treatments for insomnia. So if you still haven’t found the right natural treatment, visiting my health blog could be one of the answers.