Worried That You Seem To Lie Awake All Night? Maybe You Have Insomnia.

By Peter Dawson

Do you count sheep at night to get to sleep until you wished you never saw another sheep? Do you lie there looking at the ceiling for hours?

It's possible you have insomnia.

Perhaps you feel like you need a good sleep all the time, but can't actually get one.

And it's possible that your relationship is suffering as well because not only do you not sleep well but all that tossing and turning disturbs your partner too. And he or she has had enough of your grumpy moods.

Insomnia can be a huge problem. And if you have it it's probably a huge problem for you right now. Maybe it's causing you some physical or mental health problems for example.

Now of course everyone has the odd night when they don't sleep well, that's not new. Maybe there's something on your mind, or perhaps you took a nap in the afternoon and just don't sleep well at night.

But there is a big difference between the odd night's interrupted sleep and night after night of sleeplessness.

Insomnia can come in many forms. Maybe you spend hours at night before you get to sleep for the first time. Perhaps you can get to sleep fine but wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. Or perhaps you sleep fine till early morning then can't sleep after 4 or 5 am.

There are many causes of sleeplessness. There are medical conditions which can cause insomnia as a side effect of the condition, and there are also medications which can have the same effect.

And in some instances it's just that your body has learned not to sleep at night and you don't know what to do to help it unlearn it.

One of the first prescribed remedies is often drugs for sleeplessness. But who wants to take drugs, possibly for years or decades? There are other remedies too.

If you have serious insomnia you ought visit a doctor to diagnose or eliminate the possibility of medical conditions. If you do have an underlying medical condition it should be treated. But you may not. If not there is good news.

There are some natural cures for insomnia that work well. They can be quite cheap or even free and can work better than you might think.

You can sometimes avoid both the risks and the cost of taking prescription drugs. - 30196

About the Author:

Peter has written a book which you can get at his website about Natural Remedies For Insomnia full of tips, tricks natural remedies for insomnia. Find it at http://sleepsecretsuncovered.com/

Are Natural Insomnia Cures Safe?

By Ash Derbe

People that have insomnia sometimes prefer to seek a natural remedy to treat it. Some natural cures include herbal remedies considered harmless to most people including chamomile tea and lemon balm. One must pay close attention that not all natural cures are considered safe. Herbal remedies sometimes contain prescription medicines, and due to their classification, are not always regulated.

Valerian root, kava kava, chamomile, lemon balm, St. John's wort and passion flower are examples of herbal remedies and have been used as insomnia cures for centuries. It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of these compounds have not been formally researched. Any studies on herbal remedies are not standardized and therefore difficult to interpret. They are not based on standardized studies like the ones completed for prescription drugs as commissioned by regulatory agencies like the FDA.

Many people suffering from insomnia take melatonin to help them fall asleep. Melatonin is actually a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain and it uses tryptophan, an amino acid, as a building block. Commercially produced melatonin is available in supplement form and it has been used for a variety of medical uses including as an insomnia cure. Of the natural remedies used for insomnia cures, melatonin is the best studied, but it still remains unregulated in the U.S. Studies proving the effectiveness of melatonin as an insomnia cure still remains unclear. Completed studies demonstrate the substance does help people go to sleep faster, however it does not appear to have an effect on total sleep time or daytime fatigue or sleepiness.

It must be duly noted that melatonin is a dietary supplement, not a drug, and therefore its quality and effectiveness is not regulated in the U.S. (The regulation of melatonin is not enforced in the U.S. of all the developing nations.) Being a strong hormone, melatonin can produce strong side effects, many are unknown, on many parts of the human body. People taking melatonin as an insomnia cure are, in a way, experimenting on themselves.

Since the FDA does not regulate natural remedies, their quality is not controlled. Any compound affecting body chemistry has the ability to produce potentially harmful side effects. Although some studies purport positive benefits from the use of natural remedies, the substances tested in the lab are often not the same ones available to the public. Cases involving the reporting of harmful and serious side effects from taking natural remedies have been documented. In some cases, prescription drugs were found to be added to herbal remedies.

Don't feel compelled to use drugs - whether natural or chemical as insomnia cures. There are some great non-drug therapies that can be implemented to help you get a better night's sleep. - 30196

About the Author:

Learn more about insomnia cures. Stop by Ash Derbe's site where you can find out all about insomnia remedies and what it can do for you at www.allniteslumber.com

Kava Kava Benefits

By Anita Soporova

Let's drink to kava kava, my friends! Long known as the drink of choice in the South Pacific islands, kava kava is a drink that leaves a relaxed and refreshed feeling without impairing your concentration. Imagine drinking it after a hard day?s work and not having to worry about any hangover whatsoever! This drink is filled with what are called kavalectones. These have a positive effect on GABA, dopamine and norepinephrine, which are three important neurotransmitters found in the body. It's not really clear how the kavalectones work, but that these are able to give the drinker a feeling of contentment and relaxation.

Kava kava helps you deal with insomnia. After a drink of this brew, you can get your zzz?s without so much of an effort, and the kind of sleep you do get is the restful and satisfying kind. The quality of sleep is also improved: you sleep longer and not just more quickly.

Kava kava can also calm you down the same way that diazepam does. You will suffer from less panic attacks, as well as fewer palpitations. As a result, you feel better and there are hardly any of the ?blues? to struggle with.

When you also drink kava kava, it curbs your appetite and flushes out the liquids in your body, thus you are slimmer and your body has more definition. And since kava kava is a relaxant, it decreases the pain that results from muscle spasms. In fact, it is so effective as a pain reliever that it works better than aspirin. That goes for pain from fibromyalgia, a sore neck, backaches and cramps.

Other problems that kava kava can alleviate includes urinary tract infections, bladder problems and symptoms caused by menopause. It is also a good aphrodisiac.

Kava kava is not only taken as a drink, it also comes in soft-gel, capsule and tablet form. Now, when drinking kava kava you should do it in moderation and with care. Too much can produce liver damage. Other side effects include hypertension, the loss of muscle control and problems with blood clotting. - 30196

About the Author:

Investigate in greater depth Kava Kava Capsules and explore Kava Kava Benefits

Heart Healthly - Insomnia and High Blood Pressure

By Christian Goodman

Last month, a new study published in the medical journal Sleep, found that people who suffer from insomnia have higher blood pressure at night. This high nighttime blood pressure can lead to cardiac complications over time.

Over many years, chronic insomnia can have negative effects on the hearts of otherwise healthy individuals, lead author Professor Paola Lanfranchi told Medical News Today. Whereas blood pressure decreases in regular sleepers and gives their heart a rest, insomnia provokes higher nighttime blood pressure that can cause long-term cardiovascular risks and damage the heart.

Co-author Professor Jacque Montplaisir said that blood pressure cycles are mainly linked to the sleep-wake cycle. Since blood pressure is intensified among insomniacs, those with overt cardiac disease are particularly at risk for advancement of the disease.

Nearly half of adults at some point in their lives are affected by insomnia. If you already have heart disease or high blood pressure, you should try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. A good nights sleep will allow your heart to rest and lower your blood pressure.

Here are some natural sleep tips that will enable you to get a good nights rest (without the use of sleeping pills) and lower your blood pressure naturally:

Stay away from caffeine after noon. If you're having problems sleeping, you should really stay away from all caffeine. But let's be reasonable here: Most people aren't going to give up their morning coffee. If you must drink coffee or tea, have only one or two cups in the morning, and don't have any caffeine after lunch.

Adhere to a regular bedtime routine. Your bodys internal clock will work much better if you go to bed at a regular time each night. Start to wind down at least an hour before bedtime. Turn off the computer and the television. Relax with a book or long, hot bath. While you may want to have a drink or two to aid relaxing you, alcohol should be avoided before bedtime. Booze may help you pass out, but it deprives you of deep, restorative sleep.

If you have electronic devices (like a TV or computer) in your bedroom, move them to another room. Your bedroom should be your refuge for sleep. You don't need any distractions. Be sure your bedroom is completely dark and a slightly cool bedroom will also help you fall asleep easier.

Invest in a comfortable mattress. If you have a lumpy, uncomfortable mattress, you really should invest in a new one. Think about it: You spend nearly a third of your life in bed (or you should, at least). You deserve a comfortable mattress. Visit a mattress outlet and try out several different beds.

Eat a nutritious diet. A high-sugar, high-fat diet will increase your blood pressure and also make it harder to sleep (and thereby increase your blood pressure even more). Avoid junk food and processed foods. Eat as many whole, unprocessed foods as possible. Don't eat anything in the hours before bedtime. You will have a hard time falling asleep if your digestive system is busy. If you need a snack, make sure that it's small.

Get some sunlight each day. Healthy sunlight exposure regulates your internal clock. Sunlight produces vitamin D and affects melatonin levels. Try for at least 15 minutes of sunlight exposure each day. During the winter, if you live in a cold environment, you may want to contemplate supplementing vitamin D.

Stay active. This is potentially the most critical step in getting a good nights sleep. If you wear out your body during the day, you will be able to fall asleep at night. Talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program, especially if you have heart disease. Some taxing exercises may be too much for your heart. See high blood pressure exercises to learn about three easy exercises that are guaranteed to lower your blood pressure.

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About the Author:

Blue Heron Health News is a leading publishing company in natural health information guides. Our latest publication is a revolutionary exercises program lower blood pressure naturally. Check out more information on our heart health blog.