Treating sleep problems

So it turns out that many people do not consider sleep disturbances as something dangerous for their health and think about what to do in case of problems with sleep only when they begin to affect not only the state of health, but also the labor relations. But if there is a problem, it must be solved. First, you need to undergo a diagnosis to determine the cause of sleep disorders, and then, according to the results of the studies, a treatment appropriate to the diagnosis will be prescribed.

Most often, insomnia is caused by nervous overstrain, stress, and feelings, so it's easy to eliminate its cause. There are many plant and synthetic drugs that have sedative (calming, inhibitory CNS activity) action. In mild cases of insomnia, it is sufficient to take conventional single-component sedatives (tea made from mint and lemon balm, decoction of motherwort, drops and valerian pills) to sleep after the nervous system has returned to normal.

If these are not simple temporary experiences, but severe stress or corrected depression, you will have to seek help from complex medications that have both sedative and hypnotic effects. But we must remember that any sedatives in large doses cause a hypnotic effect. After all, both effects differ only in the degree of inhibition of CNS activity.

It is clear that for the treatment of insomnia first prescribe sedatives, and then go to sleeping pills (tranquilizers), trying to minimize the course of treatment with them (not more than a month). This is due not only to the fact that diazepines and barbiturates, used to treat severe forms of insomnia against the background of depression and other mental disorders, are far from safe drugs, but also a fairly rapid development of habituation to them. Subsequently, the patient may have difficulty falling asleep without medication, and withdrawal can manifest itself in particularly pronounced forms.

Preparations with a hypnotic effect are prescribed taking into account the existing problem. If it is a difficult and long-term sleep, it makes sense to prescribe medications with a short action that help to fall asleep quickly. If the problem is in frequent or early awakenings, preference is given to funds with a duration of at least 6 hours, which allows the body to get enough rest during the night. The speed of the onset of the hypnotic effect is also taken into account.

It is clear that if the sleeping problems are caused by certain diseases, their solution is impossible without a set of therapeutic measures that help to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. One of the sedatives here is indispensable.

If we are talking about neurological problems in children and adults, in addition to sedatives and hypnotics, patients are prescribed psychotherapy and physiotherapy sessions. But in the treatment of infants, preference is given not to medicine, but to working with a psychologist who identifies children's problems and helps parents create the necessary conditions for a full sleep of the baby, teaches to create the right associations and settings for the asleep process, and find compromises in correcting the established wrong habits.

Physiotherapy

In the treatment of sleep disorders, an honorable place is given to physiotherapy. Physiotherapeutic treatment, although not the main method for solving the patient's existing sleep problems, but helps to significantly reduce the amount and dosage of medications taken. However, the choice of methods to combat sleep disorders is quite large.

What physiotherapeutic procedures can be useful for insomnia and other sleep disorders? Of course, drug electrophoresis, which allows the introduction of sedatives through the skin, which reduces the risk of side effects and makes the treatment even more effective. Good procedures have the effect of galvanic currents on the neck and occiput, franklinization, darsonvalization, electrosleep and vibromassage.

Patients can be prescribed oxygen treatment (oxygen therapy), aerotherapy for a long time, selective chromatography.

Impressive results for sleeplessness associated with nerves, and shows aromatherapy, because the sedative effect is inherent in many essential oils that help a person relax, throw off the burden of heavy thoughts, breathe in a pleasant soothing aroma and quickly forget a sound calm sleep. In this case, essential oils can be added to the bathing bath, applied to the body in the neck region, and used in phytolamps. Although this treatment is not considered traditional, it is still actively supported by doctors.

Lack of sleep on anyone will negatively affect the work of the entire body, taking away his last strength and not allowing him to fully recover. To help the patient's body to survive the consequences of such stress, vitamins and vitamin-mineral complexes that are capable of supporting the work of the immune, nervous, cardiovascular and other human systems are prescribed.

But we need to understand that solving the problem only with medications, physiotherapy and analyzing problems with a psychologist, it is difficult to achieve a lasting positive result. No matter what caused the occurrence of problems with sleep, the human body should receive a full night's rest. And this is impossible without the normalization of the regime of the day and evening meals, the formation of the correct rituals of falling asleep.

You can not ignore the irritating factors. If a person has not been taught to sleep in any situation since childhood, at an adult age it will be very difficult to teach him this, especially in conditions of increased excitability of the nervous system under the influence of experiences and stresses. While the patient's nervous and mental state does not stabilize, he sleeps better in a comfortable bed, in a room with a comfortable microclimate, in low light and no noise. Interaction with electronic devices designed for games and communication, is also better limited for a while.

But doing sports, dancing and an active lifestyle in the treatment of insomnia will only be welcomed. After all, this is a great opportunity to moderately load your body, so that by the evening he would feel pleasant fatigue, which will help to fall asleep in time. In addition, sports and dances are not only positive emotions, but also an opportunity to throw out the negative that has accumulated over the days and weeks, thus unloading the nervous system.

And what can we say about active walks in the air. But to choose for such walks you need park areas where it is possible to appreciate all the beauty of the surrounding nature, to feel closeness with the animal world.

Help to get rid of nervous tension and to facilitate falling asleep watching over small children and animals. These are endless sources of positive and the best antidepressants.

Treatment of hypersomnia does not require the use of sedatives and hypnotics, because the patient does not suffer from lack of sleep. It is important to maintain an active state of a person during the waking period, i.e. In the afternoon. To this end, prescribe psychostimulants (Pemolin, Diphenidol, Dexamphetamine, etc.). If there is such a symptom as cataplexy (sudden strong decrease in muscle tone), prescribe antidepressants ("Imipramine", "Fluoxetine", etc.).

In the treatment of hypersomnia, compliance with the daily regimen and changes in dietary intake play a big role. The food should be easy, from alcohol it is necessary to refuse, as well as from late snack. Sleep patient should 8-9 hours at night, and 1-2 hours during lunch. In this case, the shift schedule for working with night shifts for such patients is not appropriate.

Failures of biorhythms also do not make sense to treat hypnotic drugs. This is the opinion of doctors-somnologists. In this case, drugs containing melatonin (for example, "Melaxen") and treatment with light (natural or artificial with the help of lighting devices) will help. In this day, a person should be in the sun for at least an hour.

The treatment of parasomnias is similar to that of insomnia. Prescribe the same medications - sedatives and hypnotics, including tranquilizers (effective for nighttime horrors and behavioral disorders), as well as antidepressants. Among the procedures of physiotherapy, the following will be useful: acupuncture, phototherapy, magnetotherapy, the use of the method of progressive muscle relaxation under the guidance of an experienced physician.

In the treatment of parasomnias, the main role is played by psychotherapy, especially when it comes to small patients whose sleep disorders in most cases are associated with some kind of shock. Still, the child's psyche is not yet strong enough to tolerate stressful situations. Medicines can establish sleep, but not cure the soul.

To learn how to deal with psycho-traumatic situations, psychotherapeutic techniques help to correctly treat your problem and help a doctor in its correction. These are sessions of work with a psychologist, meetings with a psychotherapist and conducting hypnosis sessions, behavioral therapy.

Medications for insomnia

It must be said that not all people have sleep problems treated with medication. Many people are able to cope with insomnia without drugs, the main thing to realize the problem and the reasons for its occurrence. If the fears and emotions are so deep that alone a person can not overcome them, he is prescribed sedatives with a hypnotic effect or tranquilizers depending on the severity of the condition.

We will not focus on potent drugs, the purchase of which is possible only on the prescription of a doctor, since they must be treated under the supervision of an experienced medical staff. Let's talk about available sedative medications, which can be heard from the TV screens, but this does not mean that they are absolutely safe and do not require caution in the application.

We will begin our acquaintance with sedative and hypnotic drugs from herbal medicines, which are considered the least dangerous.

"Alluna" - a sedative in tablets containing extracts of valerian and cones of hops. The calming effect of valerian is enhanced by the action of hops, which has a relaxing effect, helps to fall asleep quickly, improves the quality of sleep and its duration.

The manufacturer recommends a drug for the treatment of adult patients who should take 1-1.5 tablets an hour before bedtime. Tablets should be swallowed whole and washed down with water.

The course of treatment with the drug from 2 to 4 weeks. If the effect of taking the medicine is, the course of treatment can be repeated. If there is no positive result within 4 weeks or a worsening of the patient's condition, the treatment regimen, and possibly the diagnosis, is revised.

The drug is not recommended for people with hypersensitivity to its components, as well as patients with mental disorders, in which CNS depression is observed. In the latter case, there is a danger of weakening the nervous regulation of respiratory function and the work of the heart.

Admission of a sedative during pregnancy is not prohibited, but it is recommended that you consult with your doctor in advance. The same should be done for those who have, at present or earlier, documented cases of liver disruption.

The use of the drug may be accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms: dizziness, drowsiness, decreased intensity of emotional response, weakness, decreased intellectual abilities. Sometimes patients complain about nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, stool disorders, allergic reactions.

Categorically it is not recommended to drink alcohol, perform dangerous work or get behind the wheel of the car during treatment with the drug "Alluna".

"Dormiplant" is a sedative drug based on extracts of Valerian root and Melissa leaves, which, like the previous medicine, can be purchased in a pharmacy without a prescription. The composition of the drug in the form of tablets helps to relieve nervous tension, which makes it possible to relax before going to bed, it is easier to fall asleep and sleep peacefully.

The drug is designed to treat adolescents with 12 years of age and adult patients. Tablets should be taken whole with water. If the medicine is prescribed as a sedative for anxiety, take it three times a day for 2 tablets. But when it is prescribed for sleeping problems, tablets in the same single dose will need to be taken half an hour before bedtime.

The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor. He also reviews the therapeutic scheme, if the treatment for a long time does not help to normal sleep.

The drug is not prescribed for hypersensitivity to its components, with conditions accompanied by depression of the central nervous system, hypotension.

Because of the lack of complete information about the effect of the components of the drug on the course of pregnancy and fetal development, pregnant women are rarely prescribed.

Among the side effects of the drug is: headaches, lowering blood pressure, reducing heart rate (bradycardia), heart rate irregularities (arrhythmias), weakness and drowsiness. There may also be complaints about nausea and abdominal cramps, dizziness, mood worsening, and reduced performance.

NovoPassit is a unique combination of plant complex (liquid extracts of St. John's Wort, pasiflora, melissae, valerian root, hawthorn leaves and flowers, elderberry flowers, hop cones) and synthetic component from the group of muscle relaxants of guaifenesin.

In addition to the treatment of mild sleep disorders, the drug is used in the therapy of neuromuscular fatigue, mild neurasthenia, vegetovascular dystonia, neurological disorders characterized by decreased attention and memory. It helps with migraines, tension headaches, gastrointestinal diseases of a neurotic character, dyspepsia, psychosomatic dermatoses.

The drug is available as a solution. It can be consumed in pure form or in a mixture with juices (except grapefruit) or drinks (except tea). A single dose of the drug - 1 tsp, but not more than 6 spoons a day. Multiplicity of admission - 3 times a day.

It is better that the doctor prescribes an effective dosage of the medicine based on the patient's condition.

The drug is designed to treat patients aged 12 years and over. It is not prescribed to people with individual intolerance to individual components of the drug, with myasthenia gravis, bradycardia, epilepsy. It is dangerous to take the medicine uncontrollably in depression and oppressed conditions, or combine it with the administration of cyclosporine or tacrolimus.

Caution is required during the administration of drugs by patients with impaired liver or kidney function, organic pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with severe intoxication with CNS depression, in old age.

The drug contains ethanol and sugars, which makes its use undesirable in the therapy of pregnant women and nursing mothers, people with alcohol dependence and epilepsy, patients with diabetes mellitus and those with impaired glucose metabolism and intolerance to galactose.

The side effects of the drug are similar to those described above. In addition, weakness in the muscles, increase in blood pressure, decrease or increase in heart rate, increase in photosensitivity may be noted.

Now consider a couple of drugs on a synthetic basis. "Sonmil" and "Sondox" - analogues preparations on the basis of doxylamine, which is a blocker of histamine receptors, due to which drugs are classified as antihistamines. Doxylamine shows a sedative effect and an effect similar to atropine, which reduces the time of falling asleep and improves sleep.

Preparations in the form of tablets are prescribed no later than half an hour before bedtime, in an amount of 0.5-1 tablets (no more than two per day). Treatment for insomnia spend no more than 5 days. If the result is negative, the radiation scheme is changed.

The drug is not recommended for people with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug or other antihistamines, with closed-angle glaucoma, including cases of illness in the genus, genitourinary diseases with a risk of urine retention, congenital galactosemia, glucose metabolism disorders, lactation.

With care, the drug is taken during pregnancy and in old age. Preparations based on doxylamine are designed to treat insomnia in patients older than 15 years.

Among the side effects of the drug can be identified: drowsiness during the day, constipation, dry mouth, palpitations, problems with urination, difficulty in focusing, allergic reactions, including severe. True, all these symptoms are very rare.

As with other sleeping pills, alcohol consumption during drug treatment is considered unacceptable, since it increases the depressing effect on the central nervous system, which can be life-threatening.

The effect of the drugs persists for at least 7 hours, so waking up early can cause dizziness, drowsiness, daytime sleepiness.

"Melaxen" - a drug from a series of psycholeptics based on the hormone melatonin, produced by the pituitary gland for the regulation of nocturnal biological rhythms. Usually the decrease in the production of this hormone is observed closer to 55 years, as a result of which a person begins to lie down later and sleep worse. For such patients and those who for some reason had a failure of biological rhythms, this particular preparation is intended.

The medicine is given in the form of tablets, which must be taken after dinner 1-2 hours before bedtime for 21 days. At the reception is enough 1 tablet.

The drug is not suitable for the treatment of patients with severe damage to the kidneys and liver, resulting in their functionality is broken, autoimmune pathologies, cancer, epilepsy, diabetes, glucose metabolism disorders. Do not take the drug with hypersensitivity to the components. Harmful is the combination of "Melaxen" with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, steroid drugs, cyclosporine.

It is not recommended to use the drug to treat children and pregnant women because of a lack of information about its safety for these groups of patients. Reception of "Melaxen" can become an obstacle for conceiving a child and feeding a baby with a breast.

Caution should be observed when treating patients with hormonal disorders.

Side effects of drug treatment are rare, and yet they are better to know about. It can be changes in the composition of the blood, redness of the face, irritability and anxiety, tearfulness, strange dreams, headaches and dizziness, drowsiness, impaired intellectual ability. Rarely, but complaints are also made about epigastric pain, dyspepsia, bad breath, decreased sexual desire and visual acuity, weakness and sweating, weight gain.

If there are problems in the work of the liver, insomnia increases, a person begins to wake up early in the morning, there is vomiting and allergic skin rashes - this is an occasion to consult a doctor for a revision of appointments.

Let's dwell a little on the potent drugs from the group of benzodiazepine tranquilizers, which are actively used in severe cases of sleep disorders.

"Dormikum" is a hypnotic drug that effectively helps with sleep disorders caused by strong nervous and physical overstrain. The active substance medications - midazolam - provides a rapid sedative effect and a pronounced hypnotic effect, effectively relaxes the muscles, reduces the likelihood of epileptic seizures, but does not affect the reaction speed and performance. Waking up, the patient does not feel drowsy, but remembers little of the recent events.

The drug in the form of a solution can be used as an anesthetic. In case of sleep disorders, it is preferable to take medication in tablets.

Single dose of the drug varies - 0,5-1 tablet. You need to take the medicine immediately before bed, because it is characterized by a noticeable speed.

The drug is potent, therefore its use is forbidden during pregnancy and lactation, low tone of the muscular system, organic brain diseases, respiratory failure.

Dormicum can be used in children from the newborn period, but injecting the drug may cause seizures in the baby. In adults, there were cases of temporary amnesia again against the background of the injection solution.

Other undesirable effects are: drowsiness, nausea, stool disorders, dry mucous membranes, allergic and anaphylactic reactions. Also can be observed: weakness, hallucinations, twilight consciousness, headaches.

Any sedative and hypnotic drugs affect the nervous system, which controls all the processes occurring in our body. And the higher the dose, the stronger and more dangerous this effect will be. For this reason, it is undesirable to prescribe medications for insomnia and sleep problems yourself, and even more so to exceed the maximum allowable dose.

During the application of the above and similar preparations it is better to refrain from performing work that requires attention or is dangerous to others. For a while, it is worth forgetting about alcoholic beverages, which enhance the action of sedatives.

Alternative treatment

Treatment of sleep disorders with alternative prescriptions is not the preferred method of therapy, although its effectiveness is quite high. It is clear that getting rid of them from pathological causes that cause sleep problems will be very difficult. Nevertheless, even in this case, there can be a noticeable improvement in the patient's condition, it is only necessary to choose a suitable remedy.

For example, tincture of valerian is known not only as a sedative, but also as a cardiac remedy. Helps the work of the heart and hawthorn. If you mix in equal amounts both tinctures and take them 30 drops (dissolve in a quarter of a glass of water) at night, you can not only improve sleep, but also strengthen your heart.

But the most effective and appetizing, and therefore the most popular means for insomnia is honey. There are many recipes based on it, allowing you to quickly and pleasantly normalize the night rest.

Honey can be consumed by diluting 1 tbsp. Known delicacy in a glass of warm boiled water or kefir. You need to consume such drinks before going to bed.

If insomnia is caused by headaches, increased pressure and hot flashes, honey is mixed not with water, but with cucumber brine.

A mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar (3 spoonfuls of vinegar per cup of honey, take 2 tsp for the night) is considered a rather fast-acting remedy for insomnia, which strengthens sleep and makes it easier to fall asleep.

In the people it is believed that the strengthening of sleep contributes and onions, so it is recommended to eat at dinner and at bedtime.

In the fight against tension headaches and migraines, which contribute to sleep disorders, green tea with mint, melissa tea, lime tea, and St. John's wort are good.

Do not need to write long, that a warm bath also helps to quickly fall asleep and strengthen sleep. The temperature of the water in the bathroom should be within 37-38 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. During this time you need to lie down in the tub relaxed. Thinking of something pleasant. This will help relieve tension and fatigue.

It will be even more useful if you add an infusion of soothing aromatic herbs or a few drops of lavender, mint or balm essential oil.

Sitting baths are also helpful. Take such a bath should not more than 5 minutes just before bed, after which the process of falling asleep should be much easier.

Very popular in the treatment of insomnia and herbal treatment. Infusion of hawthorn fruits and decoction of elderberry roots will help with insomnia in patients suffering from shortness of breath and heart pathologies.

Infusion: 2 tablespoons. Vegetable raw materials by 1.5 st. Boiling water, insist and drink for 3 times, after half an hour you can eat.

Decoction: 1 tbsp. A glass of water, boil for a quarter of an hour, take 1 tbsp. Three times a day.

Decoction or infusion of the roots of valerian will be useful both for nervous overstrain, and for various pathologies that cause insomnia.

Decoction is prepared and taken by analogy with the recipe for elder broth, taking as a vegetable raw material the crushed roots of valerian. The infusion is prepared from the same proportions, but kept for 7-8 hours at room temperature. The dose is individual and can range from 1 spoon to half a glass. Take infusion in this dosage can be 2 or 3 times a day, most recently before bed.

To facilitate sleep and improve the quality of sleep, and suitable herbs such as St. John's Wort, Ivan-tea, oregano, mint, lemon balm, motherwort, lavender, elecampane. Herbs can be used both individually and as part of sedatives. A ready-made collection of ecologically clean medicinal herbs, which helps to solve problems with sleep, can be purchased at any pharmacy.

It is believed that good congenerous properties and cones of hops. In alternative hospitals, you can also find this advice: in case of sleep disturbances, pile the hop cones with a pinch or add them to the filler. It is believed that on such a cushion sleep comes much faster and lasts longer, although scientists do not attribute a drunk to the expressed hypnotic effect.

Very good reviews about herbal medicine collection, which includes: mint leaves and motherwort leaves (30 grams each), valerian roots and hop cones (20 g each). This composition effectively helps to relieve nervous tension and improve the quality of sleep.

A good soothing and hypnotic effect is enjoyed by quiet walks before going to bed in the fresh air, especially in the cool season. It is only after this dive into a warm, affectionate bed, and sleep will not slow you down in your arms.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Homeopathy

Problems with sleep - a fairly common situation, which at least once in life, everyone faced. What does it cost only the night before the entrance examinations or nightly torment because of unrequited love. Health such night vigil does not add to anyone, so if they become regular, urgent measures must be taken.

It is clear that sedatives and hypnotics can help solve the problem for one or two. But you do not want to poison yourself with chemistry on any occasion, and plant remedies, as luck would have it, do not always help with sleep disorders. A reasonable way out of this situation is the recourse to the means of homeopathy for help.

What can we offer non-traditional medicine:

• Aconite - a drug based on a strong poison, which in small doses can help with insomnia caused by feverish conditions, smoking, cold symptoms, fears, increased blood pressure, heart pain.
• Ambra grisea is a medicine that one should have for those who sleep well at the TV, but when they move to bed, they lose the ability to quickly fall asleep.
• Argentum nitricum is a homeopathic remedy, very useful before the exam or an important matter. Will help to fall asleep on the eve of an important event, not worrying about the upcoming experiences.
• Arnica can be taken by those who have insomnia caused by physical overwork. And Coffea also helps with mental fatigue, sleep disturbances, caused by strong nervous system excitement due to joyful events or memories.
• Arsenicum album will help those who often wake up in the middle of the night and can not fall asleep again.
• Bryonia and Causticum are indicated to patients who are difficult to wake up and feel tired already in the morning.
• For children who shudder during a night's sleep and often wake up, see nightmarish dreams, you can advise the drug Hamomilla.
• If insomnia is caused by malfunctions of the biological clock, as a result of which the child wakes up at night and does not want to sleep anymore, it can be given to Ciprodium.
• Hina will help women with sleep disorders during menstruation.
• If problems with sleep have led to disruption of the nervous and digestive system, dizziness, muscle pain and other unpleasant consequences, a homeopathic doctor may prescribe Kokkulus. The same medicine helps with nightmares.
• Older people with insomnia will benefit from Conium or Passionflower.
• Insomnia with menopause is often accompanied by attacks of suffocation during sleep. In this case, homeopathic remedies Lachezis and Grindelia will help.
• If a person wakes up too early and thoughts do not allow him to fall asleep again, Likopodium, Nuks vomica or magnolia preparation are prescribed.
• Oksalikum atsidum will help those who developed fear of insomnia, i.e. A person in advance is afraid that he can not fall asleep.
• With a sensitive sleep and early awakenings at the same time, in cruel dreams, Selenium or Sulfur is appointed. They also help with the negative consequences of insomnia.
• But just to improve the quality of sleep, so that he helped to restore the strength of the body by morning, you can use the drug Phosphoricum acidum.

As can be seen from the extensive list of drugs that solve the problems of poor-quality sleep, there is a lot in homeopathy. And there are no difficulties with the selection of drugs. Another matter is the dosage and duration of treatment. These issues are in the competence of a doctor-homeopath. After all, in homeopathy there are preparations containing poisonous substances, and an overdose of them can negatively affect the patient's health.