Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders nowadays. It manifests the ability to fall asleep and being unable to sleep soundly throughout the night without waking up. Although it may sound like nothing too complicated, insomnia is a serious problem that can significantly affect your health.
What caused insomnia?
In general, insomnia is caused by a variety of physical and mental factors that can harm your sleep and health. According to scientists, insomnia occurs due to your brain being awake all the time due to disruption in the sleep cycles. In order to fix the problem, you first need to identify the real cause behind it.
Medical causes of insomnia
Insomnia can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions. Here’s just a fraction of them:
- Lower back pain
- Chronic pains and aches
- Arthritis
- Sinus or nasal allergies
- Asthma
- Thyroid problems
- Parkinson’s disease
Besides these causes, insomnia can also be brought on by some medications, usually pills for asthma, birth control, allergies, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid disease and depression. Some underlying sleeping problems including restless leg syndrome and nocturnal leg cramps can also lead to insomnia. About 10% of the world’s population suffers from restless leg syndrome which manifests through the urgent need to move the legs.
Sleep apnea is another sleeping disorder which can cause insomnia. This condition occurs due to obstructions in the airways which can make you unable to fall asleep. Sleep apnea can make a person stop breathing for short intervals which can ruin your sleep and also negatively affect your health.
In cases of sleeping disorders, you need to visit a doctor, especially if they interfere with your work. In order to fix the problem, you should make sure to avoid possible distractions in your home including pets, electronic devices and bright lights. We suggest talking to a doctor or specialist who can identify the real problem and help you treat your insomnia. In cases of chronic insomnia things are much worse and you might need medical treatment,
Here are the most common symptoms of insomnia:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Loss of focus
- Poor memory
- Low energy
- Loss of motivation
Treatment
As we already said, it’s best to talk to a doctor in order to identify the real culprit behind your insomnia. The treatments are generally focused on prolonging your sleep with the so-called sleeping pills. These drugs include barbiturates, hypnotics, and benzodiazepines including Valium, Xanax, Librium, and Ativan. These drugs may work temporarily, but they will also make you drowsy and are harmful to your health. Barbiturates are especially dangerous as they work by depressing the central nervous system and promote sleep and drowsiness. This is why it’s not recommended to operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle when on these drugs.
Sleeping pills have a variety of harmful side-effects as well, including dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, weakness, appetite changes, tingling sensation in the arms and legs, headache, dry mouth, heartburn, memory problems, loss of balance, stomachache and dry throat as well. Luckily, insomnia can be treated naturally with the help of nutmeg.
Nutmeg for insomnia
Nutmeg is probably one of the best natural remedies for insomnia. Nutmeg powder has numerous benefits for our health – it can relieve inflammation and pain, improve our circulation and help us sleep better as well. To use it for insomnia, add ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg powder in a glass of warm water, then drink the mixture 4-5 hours before going to bed. However, you shouldn’t overdo it, as nutmeg is a toxic substance which can seriously harm your health.