Insomnia tormented, what to do? Which doctor should I contact for insomnia? Over-the-counter insomnia medicine

Sleep problems often occur in people of different ages. This occurs from nervous experiences, constant stress, lack or absence of active movements and walks in the fresh air. What causes insomnia and how to get rid of it? Effective methods are presented in the article.

Concept and signs

Insomnia is a persistent sleep disorder. This diagnosis is made when a person is not able to fall asleep or sleep well for a long period. Insomnia is recognized as a situation where a person is difficult to fall asleep at least 3 times a week, and so on for a month:

1. In the presence of periodic disturbances - this is a mild form.
2. When difficulties with sleep appear every day - this is a chronic phenomenon.
3. If a person simply cannot fall asleep for several days, then this is not considered insomnia (these disorders are temporary, they do not need specific treatment).

Insomnia can be identified by the following signs:

1. Prolonged falling asleep, the inability to sleep even with physical fatigue.
2. Superficial sleep, awakening from insignificant noises, inability to fall asleep after interruption of sleep.
3. Repeated cases of sleep disturbance - at least 3 times a week for a month.
4. The feeling of lack of sleep, depression.

Symptoms are supplemented by internal pathologies - disturbances in cardiac work, brain activity, hormonal instability. If there are these signs, then this is a persistent sleep disturbance. If insomnia tormented, what to do? First you need to familiarize yourself with the reasons that prevent a person from having a good rest.

What happens in a dream?

When sleeping, minimal brain activity occurs, the reaction to the stimuli of the surrounding world is reduced. Physiological sleep differs from coma, fainting, hypnotic trance, suspended animation, lethargic sleep.

During sleep:

1. Breathing, palpitations, and the work of important organs are preserved.
2. There are no disturbances in cerebral blood flow and cardiac output.
3. The minimum required muscle tone is maintained.
4. There is no psychic connection with the outside world.

If insomnia occurs, what should I do? The causes of this phenomenon must be identified necessarily. This affects the methods of therapy.

Norm and pathology

If physiology is normal, formation of internal inhibition occurs before bedtime (a decrease in the activity of the cells of the subcortex of the brain). After some time, almost 98% of the subcortical cells are inhibited, drowsiness occurs, then a superficial sleep, and then deep.

During inhibition, almost all cells of the subcortex slow down. Some uninhibited cells are “watchdogs” or “waking spots”. The number of inhibited and watchdogs sets the depth of sleep. The more they slowed down, the deeper the dream will be.

During inhibition, a person feels tired, desire to lie down, relax. Drowsiness occurs when brain activity is reduced, the heart rate is slow, and the muscles are relaxed. Even in the body, the sleep hormone increases - melatonin. With it drowsiness appears and the temperature is regulated (decreases during sleep).

In the normal state, such changes as relaxation, a decrease in brain activity, digestion, and the production of melatonin are the cause of a calm fall asleep. If these processes are disturbed, night insomnia is formed.

What provokes

With insomnia what to do? The reasons must be clarified in order to determine the treatment methods. Insomnia occurs due to the following factors:

1. With mental work at night or at night, an increase in the activity of brain cells occurs. There is a violation of the processes of inhibition and falling asleep.
2. Due to the very active life in the evening or at night (discos, loud music, strong emotions), the body is kept in good shape, so it is difficult to relax and fall asleep. For this reason, insomnia appears in children - with overexcitation in the evening.
3. Taking stimulating drinks in the evening is a provocateur of overexcitation.
4. Due to improper sleep conditions, there is a violation of the supply of oxygen and the production of sleep hormone.
5. With light (from a computer or light bulb), the production of sleep hormone decreases.
6. Negative habits or working conditions that do not correspond to the biological clock of a person can lead to disruption of sleep and wakefulness, a shift in night sleep in the morning or afternoon.
7. The flow of thoughts prevents inhibition from reaching the right amount of brain cells. Sleep will be superficial, and falling asleep will be long.
8. Some diseases or physiological conditions lead to sleep disturbance. Pain or discomfort does not allow you to relax, and also wake up at night. For example, sleep is disturbed in women before childbirth. Insomnia comes from an uncomfortable posture, discomfort, and poor health.
9. Strong physical fatigue strains the muscles. From a spasm of muscle fibers you can’t relax and fall asleep.
10. Carbohydrate and high-calorie foods in the evening or at night supply energy that stimulates activity. Brain activation is impaired by brain activation.

Sleep is disturbed by any discomfort - physical or mental. A person who suffers from insomnia will be irritable, gaining chronic ailments of the brain, blood vessels, heart.

Good sleep requires inhibition, sedation and relaxation. Therefore, the remedy for insomnia acts in this direction - it relieves muscle clamps, relaxes the body, and slows down the brain. The simple effect of traditional medicine has the same effect. If insomnia tormented, what to do? There are many effective remedies.

Effects

What are the consequences of pathology? If there is no timely treatment, this will adversely affect the person's condition. The following consequences are likely:

• sleep will be superficial and intermittent;
• immunity weakens;
• the sleep phase occurs after a few hours;
• the patient has frequent awakenings at night;
• nightmares may occur;
• during the day you feel tired and lethargic;
• there are pressure drops, severe headaches and dizziness;
• weakness is felt in the morning;
• the daily routine is greatly violated;
• memory and attention are impaired;
• at night rest there is discomfort;
• physical and mental activity decreases and irritability occurs.

Lack of sleep negatively affects the appearance. The eyes turn red, bags form under them, the skin on the lips dries, and the body is broken. The consequences are very negative, so you should consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Specialists help

Not everyone knows which doctor to go for with insomnia. Going to a specialist is necessary with a prolonged absence of sleep. Other signs of pathology may still appear. Which doctor to go for with insomnia depends on the causes of the disease:

1. Therapist. The specialist will perform a comprehensive diagnosis and make a preliminary diagnosis. If this is due to somatic illness, then the doctor will independently engage in therapy. If other factors are found, the therapist writes out a referral to a narrow-profile specialist.
2. Neuropathologist. It is considered the main physician treating insomnia. He knows all the disorders of the nervous system. Neuropathologists know many ways to diagnose sleep disorders, which will help to quickly and reliably determine the cause of the disease.
3. Psychiatrist. When the cause of sleep disturbance is considered a mental illness, the help of a psychiatrist or psychotherapist is needed. Sometimes hospitalization is needed.
4. Chiropractor. The doctor is familiar with the methods of physiotherapy and other non-drug procedures. It is used reflexology and other similar techniques. Usually, his treatment is enough to eliminate the pathology.

Treatment of insomnia in the clinic can be performed by different methods. Doctors often prescribe physiotherapy. These are electrophoresis, electroconotherapy, darsonvalization, aerotherapy, therapeutic massage and vibration massage. These procedures have a positive effect on the overall well-being of a person, improving sleep.

Risk group

Usually insomnia appears in the following people:

1. Older people.
2. Women before the menstrual cycle or with menopause.
3. Patients with chronic pain syndromes.
4. Teenage children.

Almost every teenager has temporary sleep disturbances. The reason is hormonal adjustment, which leads to an imbalance. Still at risk are people with night work schedules who often change time zones. Also, a problem occurs in suspicious people who take all problems to heart.

Herbs

Effectively treating insomnia with herbs. Soothing teas can be prepared. At night enough to brew 1 tbsp. l herbal tea with a calming effect. You can use the collection from:

• rhizomes of valerian;
• motherwort herbs;
• symptomatic herbs - in the treatment of certain symptoms.

Peppermint and lemon balm helps. Herbs are suitable for adults and children. They have essential oils that calm the nervous system. It is enough to brew a small twig in 1 cup of water and drink such tea. Mint with lemon balm can be used together - in equal parts. Drink should not exceed 200 ml.

It is used for insomnia motherwort. You will need dry chopped grass (1 tbsp. L.), Which is poured with boiling water (0.5 l). Insisted tool 30 minutes. The broth should be taken after 16-17 hours.

Microclimate

When insomnia tormented, what should I do? It is necessary to create a favorable environment in the room. It should be cozy, quiet and warm. An influx of fresh air is required, for which a window is opened in the summer, and a window in the winter.

Suitable temperature is +18 or +20 degrees, and humidity is 70%. Due to the dry air in the bedroom, drying out of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, discomfort, awakening at night appears. If in the morning you have to wake up from bright light, then the windows should be curtained with blackout curtains.

Sleep and Rest

What helps with insomnia? It is important to comply with sleep and rest. The physiological tendencies of a person are not considered heredity. An “owl” or “lark” is the result of many years of habit, which, if desired, can change. Addiction occurs in 3-4 weeks.

At first, an alarm clock will help to wake up. After 10-14 days, the awakening will not be difficult, and after another 7-10 days, the habit of waking up on one's own will develop.

Why is it necessary to change from an “owl” to a “lark”? With early awakening, early retirement to sleep and timely falling asleep are provided. If you get up at 6 or 7 hours, then by 10 pm you will want to sleep. Therefore, with insomnia, you should adjust your personal regimen.

Massage

If insomnia tormented, what to do? Muscle tone is increased from hard work, negative emotions. Stress and experience are common in modern man.

For relaxation, a general light massage is used, as well as warm baths. General massage can be supplemented by massaging individual parts of the body (where the spasm is stronger). For example, in office workers, the neck and upper back hurt more. And sellers complain about their feet.

Aromatherapy

Vapors of essential oils have a positive effect on the body. With them, the tension of the central nervous system is eliminated, the muscles relax, the headache is eliminated. But not all oils are suitable for treating insomnia. The excitability of the nervous system is reduced with the help of esters of mint, rosemary, sandalwood, lavender, jasmine. Valerian, basil, cedar, rosewood also helps.

You just need to drip 4-5 drops into the aroma lamp bowl and smoke oil in the sleeping room for half an hour. You can also wet the corners of bedding or napkins with ethers. Warm evening baths with oils also help. 10-15 drops are added to the water, and the procedure is about 15 minutes. They also perform massage with essential oils. Massage the temples, palms, feet, neck and shoulder region.

Influence of computer and TV

According to doctors, after watching TV or working on a computer, difficulties in falling asleep also appear in healthy people. From the flickering of light bulbs, the blue light of the screens, a subconscious sensation of anxiety arises.

As a result, it will be more difficult to fall asleep, even if you feel tired. Work on the computer and watching TV should be completed 1 hour before bedtime. The same applies to the use of phones, tablets, as well as other modern technology.

Proper nutrition

Can I eat at night? The answer is yes, but not all products. Do not eat carbohydrate-rich foods. With them, the production of insulin is accelerated, a signal is sent to the brain that it is not fat that is required to be burned, but glucose. Such products not only negatively affect health, but also prevent you from falling asleep.

To fall asleep easier, you must not be full and not hungry. This requires a light dinner 1 hour before bedtime. Kefir and ryazhenka have a beneficial effect.

Honey helps with insomnia. The product has tryptophan, an amino acid that causes drowsiness. In 1 cup of warm milk, add 1 tsp . honey. The drug is drunk 15-30 minutes before bedtime. This elixir provides a deep and calm sleep.

Psychological methods

In case of insomnia due to nerves, treatment can be performed by a psychotherapist. Mild hypnosis is used in the formation of an obsession, fear of difficult falling asleep.

If the problem is not solved by psychological analysis, the work of hypnosis is applied. Using the first 3-5 procedures of fast falling asleep, a specialist shows a person his abilities and provides further effective treatment.

Music

Soothing sleep music is also effective. She should be calm and quiet. There is special music, which is based on repeating rhythms, sounds of nature, which subconsciously relax, reduce brain activity, allow you to fall asleep.

Soothing sleep music is good for adults and children. Especially it helps after a state of arousal. Each person has a positive effect on their sounds of nature:

• rain
• the woods;
• seas;
• purring the cat.

You need to choose music that allows you to immerse yourself in relaxation. It should be easy, without words. Some kindergartens use classical music that allows you to relax and fall asleep.

Effective Ways

Treatment of ordinary and senile insomnia treatment is performed by all the methods presented in the article. Still effective is meditation, which allows you to escape from the worries of the day, the bustle, problems, thoughts. Positive and negative emotions disturb sleep. Therefore, it is important to leave all emotions and calm down before bedtime.

It is useful for children to sing lullabies and rock them. Based on the research of Academician Pavlov, it was revealed that inhibition of the cells of the cerebral cortex occurs with the action of a mild irritant. In this case, it is necessary that the impact is constant and not strong. This effect is possessed by motion sickness and lullabies.

Medicines and drugs

With chronic insomnia, treatment with pills will be very effective. But many drugs are sold by prescription. Taking medications in uncontrolled quantities can lead to collapse and death. Therefore, you should buy sleeping pills after the appointment of a doctor.

A person loses the ability to sleep without sleeping pills. Therefore, such methods should be treated only if it is really necessary. There are several effective cures for insomnia without prescriptions, because they consist of plant extracts:

1. "Melaxen." The drug has an analogue of the sleep hormone synthesized artificially. This is a cure for insomnia without a prescription, as it does not cause addiction, does not affect the coordination of movements, memory, attention.
2. Persen. This is a plant-based product, including valerian, lemon balm and peppermint extract. With it, the normalization of cerebral circulation occurs, inhibition of the cells of the subcortex is provided.
3. "Dormiplant." The drug has a plant basis. The active ingredients are valerian root extract and lemon balm leaf extract.
4. NovoPassit. The complex product includes extracts of several herbs - valerian, hop, elderberry, St. John's wort, lemon balm, hawthorn.
5. "Phenazepam." It is also an effective remedy for insomnia, which has an anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant effect. With it the nervous system calms down. If there is sleep disturbance, the drug is used in an amount of 0.25-0.5 mg half an hour before bedtime.

With insomnia, do not be nervous about this problem. During the absence of a night's sleep, you should do a quiet business - reading a book, household chores. This will help not to focus on the lack of sleep.

Prevention

, . :

1. You need to get ready for bed at the same time.
2. Going in for sports is better until 16 hours.
3. Need a comfortable sleeping place.
4. It should be eaten at least 3 hours before the planned vacation.
5. Do not watch horror movies at night.
6. It is necessary to refuse caffeinated drinks.
7. Do not drink alcohol at night.
8. The bedroom should have cool air.
9. Need frequent walks before bedtime.

An excellent prevention is the use of herbal decoctions. It is advisable to consult a doctor what decoctions are useful and lead to drowsiness.

With insomnia, a cross-linked pillow with herbs helps. This will require several branches of dried valerian, lemon balm, hawthorn. They are wrapped in natural fabric. The pillow is placed next to the pillow. Plants have a positive effect on the body.

What is the danger of sleep disturbance?

This condition can lead to complications. If there are no timely therapeutic procedures, the following pathologies develop:

• memory worsens greatly;
• ailments of the heart muscle appear;
• the nervous system suffers, which leads to neurosis and psychosis;
• weight increases;
• immunity is impaired;
• diabetes develops.

With sleep disorders, chronic diseases exacerbate. Therefore, if you have this condition, you need to see a doctor. Timely and effective treatment will improve well-being, saving a person from insomnia.