Medical Keywords - Everything you need to know about health.

5 Things You Must Know About Insomnia

1. Identifying Early. is a sleeping disorder affecting mostly women than men. It is the inability to sleep or falling asleep, or the decrease in the quality or quantity of sleeping hours. Often times, those who are undergoing stress and fatigue are the ones likely to suffer insomnia like in the death of a love one or extreme pressures from work and home. Identifying the factors that causes your inability to sleep will enable you to make changes or avoid situations that triggers insomnia. Avoid becoming too tired and stressful because of work or engaging yourself in strenuous activities.Too much exhaustion will only contribute to insomnia.Avoidance of these will help in eliminating stress and fatigue that causes insomnia.

2. Choose your Foods well. Studies show that certain foods that we eat can affect our sleep and sleep patterns. It can sometimes make us feel awake or sleepy. If you are suffering from insomnia then a change in your diet plan may help do the trick!. Eat foods rich in carbohydrates 4 hours before bed time, as carbohydrates releases insulin and Tryptophan chemicals are converted into Serotonin which makes us sleepy.Proteins on the other hand releases Amino acids which reduces Tryptophan and making less Serotonin production making us less sleepy and more active and alert. Moreover avoid altering your sleep cycle with alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

3.Monitor Symptoms. makes you feel drowsy, tired ,irritable and affects with your daily performance making it difficult for you to concentrate. Stress, Anxiety and depression may be among the major factors you need to consider.It is best that you seek medical help if symptoms of insomnia are already affecting your daily activities.

4. Identify Causes of . If you've had trouble sleeping for a couple of days or weeks then probably you should learn how to monitor your activities, food intake or factors that contribute to your sleep disturbance. Keeping track of your sleeping patterns, any history of depression, stress, anxiety, any medications or herbal remedies that you are taking should also be monitored. In this way when you consult your doctor, it would be easy for him to help you because of the history record that you have provided him. Based on the information that you have provided your doctor, he would be able to diagnose early the causes of insomnia and would be able to perform some physical and laboratory tests.In some cases, underlying and unrecognizable medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, sleep Apnea or depression may be treated also. Based on all the data you have given, you can already be given appropriate treatment which may include prescribed medications, changes in sleep patterns and sleep hygiene.

5. Prevent . Prevention of insomnia could be done by you.You can actually improve your sleep quality by trying to avoid certain factors that contribute to sleeplessness. Avoid caffeinated beverages which may stimulate you instead of letting you fall asleep. Turn your bedroom into a conducive, quiet and comfortable place for sleeping. Do not engage yourself in strenuous activities, exercise or running a few hours before bedtime. If you really have a hard time of falling asleep at night then try avoiding late afternoon naps. Maintain a consistent bedtime routine by sleeping and getting up at the same time everyday.Lastly, try to maintain a stress free lifestyle. Always give ample time for your mind and body to relax and be worry-free. Thus, you can have a restful sleep and avoid insomnia from invading you.