Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which people have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It can take a toll on your energy, mood, and ability to function during the day. Although insomnia is the most common sleep complaint, it is not a single sleep disorder. The problem causing the insomnia differs from person to person. It could be something as simple as drinking too much caffeine during the day or a more complex issue like an underlying medical condition or feeling overloaded with responsibilities.

• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Waking up during the night
• Waking up too early
• Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep
• Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
• Irritability, depression or anxiety
• Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering
• Increased errors or accidents
• Ongoing worries about sleep

According to Ayurveda there are three elements in the body : vata, pitta and kapha which need to be in balance. Insomnia is considered as Vata imbalance disorder and called Anidra or Nidranasha in Ayurvedic terminology.

• Nasal/sinus allergies
• Gastrointestinal problems such as reflux
• Endocrine problems such as hyperthyroidism
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease
• Chronic pain
• Low back pain
• In restless leg syndrome insomnia is a symptom.
• Sleep apnea
• Insomnia can be caused by depression and anxiety.
• Unhealthy lifestyles and sleep habits 
• Irregular working hours
• Ageing

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Relief from all sleeping issues and provide good sound sleep.
2. Preventing and reducing the  complication of insomnia by muscle relaxation and calm downs the nervous system, and relief from stress.
3. Rejuvenating the whole body and preventing further attack.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

• Stress, irritability, anxiety, difficulty paying attention, focusing or remembering - Stress, anxiety and underlying problems should be addressed as it will lead to Insomnia. Jatamansi, Tagara, Mandukaparni and Brahmi will help to manage the stress, improve learning and ease depression. Sarpagandha acts on the central nervous system and prevents the violent panic attack of insomnia.
• Daytime tiredness or sleepiness, waking up during night or too early - frequently being in a heightened state of alertness can delay the onset of sleep and cause rapid, anxious thoughts to occur at night leading to sleep deprivation and tiredness. Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Suvarna makshika will help manage stress, boost brain function and strengthen the body.

           (The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other therapies - Virecana (Purgation) , Abhyanga (body massage), Padabhyanga (foot massage), shiroabhyanga (head massage) with medicated oils. Shirodhara (Pouring medicated liquids (milk/ water/ oils) on head medicated liquids, Pichu (application of cotton soaked with medicated oil over head, Takra dhara (Pouring medicated buttermilk all over body).

 Jatamansi, Tagara, Mandukaparni and Brahmi 

 Jatamansi, Tagara, Mandukaparni, Brahmi ,Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Suvarna makshika, Sarpagandha