There are 3 types of insomnia

Three types of insomnia exist: transient, acute, and chronic. Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few weeks. Most people occasionally suffer from transient insomnia due to such causes as jet lag or short-term anxiety. If this form of insomnia continues to occur from time to time, the insomnia is classified as intermittent. Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months. Chronic insomnia is regarded as the most serious; persists almost nightly for at least a month. Regardless of the type, the affects of insomnia can dramatically degrade quality of life and ability to function.

Insomnia Medications

Many people suffering from insomnia depend on sleeping tablets and other sedatives. There are many over the counter and prescription options. All sedative drugs have the potential of causing psychological dependence which basically means that the individual believes that they cannot sleep without the medication. Certain types of sedatives can even cause physical addiction which shows up as withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not slowly 'weaned' off. A non exhaustive list of potential side effects from some of these drugs includes: drowsiness, memory loss, schizophrenia, headaches, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation.

Other Treatments

There are several natural approaches that may offer some relief. Natural herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, and passion-flower may help. Some studies have shown that a magnesium deficiency may also contribute to insomnia. Supplementing magnesium or increasing consumption of magnesium rich foods (leafy greens, vegetables, cashew nuts) may help.

Some traditional remedies include drinking warm milk before bedtime, taking a warm bath in the evening; exercising (before evening time), eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed, avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours, and making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour.

Aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness.

Many believe that listening to slow paced music will help induce sleep

Relaxation techniques such as meditation may help as well. Such techniques can lower stress levels from both the mind and body, which leads to a deeper, more restful sleep.

Alcohol may help induce sleep, but may actually limit the body and brain's ability to reach the level of deep sleep required for rejuvenation. In addition, if excessive alcohol is consumed, most of us have experienced the resulting morning after dehydration and hangover.

Potential Cure?

Recent research has shown that the capacity to fall asleep and stay in a deep sleep is a skill that the brain can learn. The brain operates at different frequencies depending on what function it is performing. The frequency during waking periods is much faster then when you are sleeping. There is a technology called brainwave entrainment that can deliberately alter the brainwave frequency. Brainwave entrainment is an audio process where one sound frequency is introduced into the left ear and a different sound frequency is introduced into the right ear. What happens is that the two different frequencies are registered in your brain as one unique frequency and both your left and right brain functions move to synchronize to this perceived frequency. Using this process, the brain can be automatically guided to the frequency associated with sleep. The short term benefits are sleep induction in the user during use of the technology. Longer term, it was found that over time, the brain learned to move to the sleep frequency without the use of the entrainment process. In short, the brain was taught to move itself naturally into a sleep function. One of the most popular sources of this technology is www.sleeptracksonline.com . It has solid research behind it and has received a significant amount of positive reviews.

This entrainment process could be the solution that insomniacs are looking for. Medications come with host of potential problems including side effects and addictions. Natural products offer less side effects but many users report limited benefits and require ongoing use. Brainwave entrainment is both safe and natural, is not addictive and over time has been shown excellent results in long-term relief of insomnia.

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