Management of Insomnia

Ujjwala Baxi shows the easy way to supplement proteins in a vegetarian or even a vegan diet The other day I had a mother sharing with me her daughter’s New Year’s resolution of switching to vegetarianism and also that she continues to feel strongly about it. The mother, of course, had mixed emotions about the decision. While she was happy about her daughter’s apparent sensitivity towards animals, she seemed also worried about her daughter’s abrupt decrease in protein intake…

Insomnia can often be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes and adopting healthy habits and following a regular schedule.   Read more about Good Sleep Practices: 13 Steps To Better Quality Sleep   Importance of Sleep       

As a first step, make the lifestyle changes suggested here Know your support team: Who can help you stay healthy  Your family physician Sleep medicine specialists Neurologists Psychologists & Psychiatrists Nutritionist  Hypnotherapist or a massage therapist  

Insomnia is characterised based on duration:  Acute insomnia (short term) is brief and often happens because of life circumstances (for example, before an exam or after receiving stressful or bad news). Many people experience this type of passing sleep disruption, and it tends to resolve without any treatment. Chronic insomnia (ongoing) is disrupted sleep that occurs at least three nights per week and lasts at least three months. Chronic insomnia disorders can have many causes: Changes in…

Your doctor will likely diagnose insomnia based on your medical history, sleep histories, physical exam and sleep study. Medical History:To find out what's causing your insomnia. The 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…

Insomnia is a common sleep problem for adults, affecting millions worldwide.A person suffering from insomnia has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when he or she has the chance to do so. Why is insomnia a concern People with insomnia can feel dissatisfied with their sleep and usually experience one or more of the following: fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances and decreased performance in work or at school.  

Are you at risk of developing insomnia Insomnia is a common disorder and it affects women more often than men. This can occur at any age. Older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people.  The people who are at risk 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 shift changes in their work Travel long distances Have an inactive lifestyle Have certain…

Symptoms of insomnia include; Difficulty falling asleep despite being tired Trouble getting back to sleep if awakened  Waking up frequently during the night Waking up too early in the morning  Relying on sleeping pills or alcohol to fall asleep Daytime drowsiness, fatigue or irritability Difficulty concentrating during the day When to seek insomnia treatment  If you’ve tried changing your lifestyle and it hasn’t helped, you may need to see a doctor or sleep disorder specialist…

By family practitioner and paediatrician Dr Gita Mathai. How much sleep we need, the best time to go to bed, effects of sleep deprivation and how to improve your sleep practice.  How much sleep do we really need? We actually sleep away one third of our lifetimes. In infancy, a baby may sleep anywhere from 14-17 hours a day. Their sleep requirements are not controlled by outside forces like light, sound or work. So, babies sleep as much as their body needs. As age increases, the number of…

Sleep deprivation is rampant. A 30 minute nap is beneficial to your health!  This article specifically talks of the negative effects of sleep deprivation in caregivers :  forgetfulness, lowered alertness,premature aging,  decrease creativity, lower immune system, increased risk of stroke, diabetes, unwanted weight gain and increased possibility for a heart attack. Caregiver statistics show caregivers are often exhausted at the end of the day. Many  find that they…