Breaking Down Insomnia – Its Types, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment
Sleeplessness, also known as Insomnia, is a sleep disorder in which trouble falling asleep or staying asleep as long as desired, it is commonly found in the people belong to age group of 60-onwards. Insomnia is often thought of as a medical sign and a symptom that can accompany several sleep, medical, and psychiatric disorders characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep or rest of poor quality. Insomnia is responsible for functional impairment while awake. Insomnia can occur at any age, but it is widespread in the elderly. Insomnia can be short-term (up to three weeks) or long-term (above 3–4 weeks); it can lead to memory problems, depression, and irritability.
Types of Insomnia
- Insomnia is mainly classified into three groups which are as transient, acute, and chronic.
- Transient Insomnia lasts for less than a week. Another disorder can cause changes in the sleep environment, sleep timing, severe depression, or stress.
- Acute Insomnia is the inability to sleep well for less than a month consistently. Insomnia occurs when there is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or when the rest obtained is non-refreshing or of poor quality.
- Chronic Insomnia lasts for longer than a month. Another disorder can cause it, or it can be a primary disorder. People with high levels of stress hormones or shifts in the ranks of cytokines are more likely than others to have chronic Insomnia.
The most commonly found symptoms of Insomnia are
- Having difficulty falling asleep or having difficulty finding a proper and comfortable sleeping position or way
- A person waking during the night because of slackness in sleep
- A person feeling unrefreshed after the sleep
- During the daytime, a person suffers from sleepiness, irritability, or anxiety
Panchakarma for Insomnia
Panchakarma treatments and therapies have used the detox the body and remove the physical and mental toxins which cause Insomnia.
The Panchakarma treatments include the following therapies for the treatment of sleepness :Vasti (medicated enema) is one of the most used therapy in panchakarma, as it is observed that, in any case, sleep problems are directly or indirectly related to gut health. The colon is known as the seat of the Vata dosha in Ayurveda. Colon cleansing with panchakarma therapies using natural -therapeutic herbs results in the proper balance in your Vata dosha as well as lower intestine. An ayurvedic specialist will plan the correct type of therapeutic enema for you.
Shirodhara is an excellent treatment for Insomnia and related stress and anxiety as it profoundly relaxes the nervous system. A stream of warm medicated oil is poured very slowly onto the center of your forehead (the location of the ‘third eye’) for about 30-45 minutes, followed by a gentle scalp massage and reflexology treatment. The effect is fantastic! Shirodhara is effective as it helps in enables non-pharmacological management of Insomnia. For best results, it is ideal for experiencing Shirodhara several days a week for about a month.
Shiro abhyanga (massage of the head) Therapeutic massage helps calm the nervous system. We use medicinal oils tailored to your condition during the massage, which absorb well on the head, scalp, and hair roots.
Padabhyanga (massage of the feet) Padhabyanga is soothing, revitalizing, and calming. It stimulates vital marma points, providing balance for autonomic nervous system disturbances.
Abhyanga (body massage) Therapeutic massage of the whole body with medicated oil helps improve blood and lymphatic circulation. It balances the body’s chakras, nadis (energy channels), and marma (energy centers) and can bring deep peace and happiness to the body and mind.
- Yoga and meditation Ayurveda these treatments and methods act as relaxing therapies such as yoga and meditation to support good sleep.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia can be classified as transient, acute, or chronic.
Transient insomnia lasts for less than a week. It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, severe depression, or by stress.
Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of less than a month. Insomnia is present when there is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or when the sleep that is obtained is non-refreshing or of poor quality.
Chronic insomnia lasts for longer than a month. It can be caused by another disorder, or it can be a primary disorder. People with high levels of stress hormones or shifts in the levels of cytokines are more likely than others to have chronic insomnia.
Symptoms of Insomnia
- difficulty falling asleep, including difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
- waking during the night and being unable to return to sleep
- feeling unrefreshed upon waking
- daytime sleepiness, irritability or anxiety