Health Tips

 

Anita_and_Mindy

Insomnia

 

Amazingly, over 58 percent of Americans suffer from insomnia. Insomnia is defined as any condition that prevents a normal, restful sleep. For many, it is a debilitating situation that plagues them constantly. For others, it is an inconvenience that bothers them once or twice a week, but leaves them feeling fatigued and disconnected at least a couple of days a week.

Insomnia has many forms. Some people have difficulty falling asleep, sometimes waiting for sleep for several hours, but are able to maintain sleep once it is finally achieved. Others can easily fall asleep but cannot stay asleep for very long, some people getting only an hour or three per night. Others may go for days only able to achieve a light cat-nap state that lasts only about 15 minutes at a time. Still others can go for days unable to sleep. Regardless, insomnia is debilitating.

While the causes of insomnia can vary and each case must be assessed individually, here are some common causes of insomnia:

  • Foods: While caffeine and wheat seem to be the biggest culprits, dairy also can play a part in sensitive individuals. MSG, artificial colors and flavors and preservatives can also make insomnia worse. If you are allergic to certain foods, avoid them if you are experiencing insomnia.

  • Light: Believe it or not one of the biggest causes of insomnia is light. This can be the light of a television, the street light outside, or even the faint light of a clock radio. Our bodies are so sensitive to light that light at bedtime can even throw off a woman’s menstrual cycle. Darken your bedroom as much as possible, get rid of that lighted alarm clock and turn off the television.

  • Environment: Strangely enough, poly/cotton sheets and sleepwear can also contribute to insomnia. The fumes from polyester out gasses and formaldehyde contained in them cause insomnia, (as well as a host of other ills, especially high blood pressure). Switch to 100 percent cotton sheets and sleepwear.

  • Electromagnetic fields such as those put out by alarm clocks, electric blankets, televisions and power lines can aggravate sleep patterns. Move all electronics away from the bed as much as possible. If you have an electric blanket, use it only to warm the bed and then unplug it.

  • Artificial fragrances, (and some natural ones as well), can create sleep problems. Artificial fragrances such as "plug ins", stinky candles, "air fresheners" and even fragrances in soaps, including laundry soap, are well known to cause insomnia as well as headaches and allergic reactions. Natural fragrances such as citrus essential oils, (especially lemon), are actually invigorating to the body and mind and can be counterproductive at bedtime. Eliminate all artificial fragrances and use relaxing natural fragrances, such as essential oil of lavender to induce a restful state.

  • The humidity of a room can also play a roll in sleep. If the room is too dry it can cause snoring or make sleep apnea worse, both of which affect sleep patterns.

  • Room temperature is also important for a good night’s sleep. Studies have found that people sleep better if the room is a little cooler.

  • It goes without saying that noise, or even the lack of white noise, can worsen insomnia.

  • Health: Exhausted adrenals due to stress, grief or poor diet, (a diet high in sugars, white flour, etc.), can cause insomnia. The person is often exhausted beyond words, but is incapable of falling asleep or maintaining sleep. Adrenal aids are vitamin B-complex, (take in the morning with food), magnesium and adrenal supplements that are especially designed to rebuild the adrenals.

  • Hormones play a role in insomnia as well. Too much estrogen or estrogen spikes and crashes, (as occur at menopause), can cause terrible insomnia. Sometimes a bit of progesterone, (in either pill form or in a cream), can work wonders. But men don’t get off the hook either. High levels of testosterone can cause insomnia. In both genders, low levels of DHEA, (usually in people over 40), or melatonin can cause terrible insomnia, (both can be helped with supplements).

Here are some things you can do to aid in a better night’s sleep:

  • There is a sleep CD by the Monroe Institute called Super Sleep that works wonders. It comes highly recommended, (we still have a few in stock). Herbs such as kava, skullcap, chamomile, lavender and valerian can help promote a restful sleep. However, be warned that valerian can cause depression in a small percentage of the population. The amino acids l-tryptophan, (also in its 5-HTP form) and theanine can help. Magnesium citrate is a wonder pill for insomniacs. The B vitamin inositol can also help. King Bio makes a homeopathic "Sleep Aid" spray that gets a "thumbs up" response from our customers. All of these aids can be used separately or in combinations.

  • It may seem like an old wive’s tale, but sleeping with your head to the north is also helpful. It is hardly scientific, but countless people claim they sleep better. Also make sure you have a good mattress and box springs, as a bad bed can cause a world of problems.

Strange but true, more insomnia occurs around the full moon than at any other time. The second most common period of insomnia is the new moon and in the month of March. While scientists can’t quite pinpoint the cause of this, they believe that it is due to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the Earth at the full and new moon. The sun creates a strong gravitational pull on the Earth at the Spring Equinox in March and again at the Autumn Equinox in September.

The largest segment of the population that suffers from insomnia are those people born in the month of June! No one seems to have an explanation for this.