Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by the inability to obtain an adequate amount or quality of sleep. The inability can be in falling asleep, remaining asleep or both. People with insomnia do not feel refreshed when they wake up. Insomnia is probably one of man’s most common complaints that may be caused by many conditions, diseases or circumstances.
The pressure of city living, increasing economic hardship, job anxieties and family tensions; not to mention the effects of environmental pollution are making the condition more prevalent. Added to this stressed environment, the challenge of poor dietary habit and dreadful lifestyle, pains and systemic disorders may also be contributory factors to insomnia.
Types of insomnia
Primary insomnia – this is when a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem. It is often caused by a temporary situation in a person’s life, such as an argument with a loved one or jet lag. Also a lack of nutrients like calcium and magnesium can cause one to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep, as can eating close to bed time. When the situation is resolved or the precipitating factor disappears, the condition goes away, usually without any treatment.
Secondary insomnia- here the victim is having sleep problems because of a wide variety of causes such as a health condition like (asthma, depression, arthritis, indigestion, heart burn) or other systemic disorders involving the lung, liver, kidneys, pancreas, endocrine system and brain; pain; medications; and certain substances like (alcohol, caffeine or nicotine).
In addition to the above classification, insomnia can also vary in terms of duration and how often it occurs. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic insomnia (long-term). Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few days. Insomnia is called chronic when a person has sleeplessness at least three nights a week for a month or longer.
Most people suffer from acute insomnia when faced with a particular situation that causes them anxiety or great excitement. Significant life stress (change/loss of job, divorce, death of a loved one, moving to a new town, financial situations, may all affect sleep. Environmental factors like noise, light or extreme temperatures (hot or cold) also cause acute insomnia. Interference in normal sleep schedule (switching from a day to night shift, for example), alcohol and drug abuse also interfere with natural sleep cycles. In chronic insomnia, pain or discomfort at night, chronic stress and many of the systemic disorders already mentioned are causative factors.
Generally, people with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
Waking up too early in the morningand sleepy during the day
Feeling tired upon waking and general weakness
Problems with concentration or memoryand Irritability
Consequences of insomnia:decreased ability to perform creative or repetitive tasks; deterioration in overall performance and many health problems already mentioned.A lot of money is thus spent on sleeping pills and a variety of mechanical gadgets to aid in sleeping.
For several effective ways of dealing with occasional sleep disturbances without the use of sleeping pills consider the following nature’s solution:
Lettuce- this vegetable features so much in my herbal medicine chest. It is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a sleep- inducing substance called ‘letucarium.’ The juice of this vegetable has been likened in effect to the sedative action of opium without the accompanying excitement. A ¼ tumbler is taken preferably 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
Rauvolfia sp. (asofeyeje in Yoruba) – this is a valuable medicine for insomnia because of its efficacy as a sedative. The hypnotic action of this plant appears to have been known since ancient times. 0.25 gram of the root powder is mixed with warm water and taken once daily. In chronic conditions, take 2X daily, till symptoms are cleared.
Passion flower– this will bring a sense of calm, relieve pains and muscular spasms. It is useful for the treatment of general insomnias. 1 teaspoon is to be infused in boiled water for 30 minutes and taken before bedtime and be sure not to exceed recommended dosage.
The strength needed will vary from person to person.
Daturametel (gegemu or ewe ikan in Yoruba) – a sedative, analgesic and has relaxing properties which would make a soothing infusion to be used last thing at night. Flowers are pleasantly scented preferably employed in bath infusions and used with caution.
Sesame oil- mixed with the seeds of D. metelis used as hair oil massaged with fingers properly unto the scalp, an hour before retiring to bed. This induces sound sleep, relieves headaches and exerts a mild sedative action.
Cassava– leaves from this plant are pounded and the extracted juice is thereof used to rinse the hair to induce sleep. Too simple to be true, but it works!
Honey – induces sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed. Take 1-2teaspoonin a cup of warm water. Be sure to use unadulterated honey.
Magnesium(the stress reliever)– including spinach, banana, watermelon, cashew nuts, almond, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds and oats which contain magnesium in your diet may help with symptoms associated with acute insomnia. You can also get magnesium supplements from health stores.