Sleeping Disorder - People suffering from insomnia

As child, sleep was never an issue – 18 hours a day. By the time I graduated teens, sleeping hours slashed. As age advanced, the number dwindled like the green forest cover.

My physician explained - inside our brain lurks an internal clock. It wakes us up. At birth, it is set at maximum interval. As years roll by, the clock shifts our metabolism and hormones in ways that shrink sleep.

Lack of sleep is a common phenomenon in advancing age. Problem crops up when sleeplessness becomes acute and we keep awake night after night and face sleep deprivation. In medical terms, it is insomnia.

People suffering from insomnia find difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep. This condition continues night after night for long. Waking up tired, people suffer morning headaches and hangover effect when, in fact, there was no booze the night before. Other sequels are difficulty concentrating, irritability, bloodshot eyes and daytime sleepiness.

Insomnia is often a symptom of some underlying problems like stress or anxiety, worrying, and depression.

Adverse health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis can also result in sleeplessness. Medications for other problems, poor eating habits, large meals close to bedtime, and lack of physical exercise add to it. Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are potential contributors. Alcohol disrupts our sleep pattern.

Treatment for insomnia calls for reduction of stress or anxiety and medication. Keeping regular hours, cutting back on caffeine, smoking and alcohol help. Relaxation techniques including meditation, hypnosis, soft music and above all an improved lifestyle will go a long way in combating the problem.

FDA has approved the sleep drug eszopiclone (brand name Lunesta.) for insomnia.
Unlike other sleep medications that advise short term usage, Lunesta is approved for long-term use.

Lunesta is part of a class of sleep aids called sedatives, and it affects the chemical balance in our body that helps us sleep. Lunesta helps us relax and drift into a deep sleep, curing insomnia symptoms.

Many people buy Lunesta, that is cheap and works better than many other sleeping pills. Take Lunesta just before going to bed, as it causes drowsiness. Avoid alcohol while taking Lunesta. The combination of alcohol and Lunesta causes dizziness or drowsiness.