subject: Chronic Insomnia Controlling Your Life? You Can Overcome Sleeplessness! [print this page] Simply put, insomnia is sleeplessnessSimply put, insomnia is sleeplessness. However, chronic insomnia is defined as a prolonged inability to get the proper amount of sleep. And although it varies amongst women, the most common characteristics are: not being able to fall asleep easily (or at all); waking up several times once you do fall asleep; and then not being able to fall back to sleep again.
Similarly, we each vary in our individual, required amounts of sleep. But what's universal about this condition is that anyone experiencing chronic insomnia suffers the same basic consequences like waking up tired, a loss of focus and being irritable, to name a few.
How It Changes You
Chronic insomnia seriously compromises our ability to function normally in everyday life.
For one thing, the ability to relate positively to tasks and people we encounter is greatly lessened. And the condition and its results are persistent. So this particular sleep disorder would require a more intensive treatment plan than other levels of insomnia, because chronic insomnia is often linked to a medical (physical) and/or psychological (cerebral) condition.
Different Stages of Insomnia
Many people don't realize that there are different levels of insomnia. Sleeplessness that lasts for one night is known as transient insomnia. Sporadic episodes of sleeplessness are called intermittent insomnia. Then there's chronic insomnia, which is perhaps the most frustrating of all. Chronic Insomnia forces a person to live with the tribulations brought on by a lack of sleep and sustaining sleep, on a persistent basis. It can last for months or even years, depending on when you seek treatment - the sooner, the better.
The Means to an End
The good news is that chronic insomnia is curable and can be prevented. To develop an effective treatment plan, your doctor will take a direct approach in diagnosing your insomnia. And since we all have varying responses to treatment, a woman with chronic insomnia may be given custom therapies to help her recuperate faster.
In addition to professional treatments, here are some 'home remedies' which are very beneficial in helping you achieve a restful nights' sleep:
* Establish a regular bedtime schedule and stick to it (no matter how little you slept during the night, get up at the same time every morning)
* Quit smoking (nicotine is a stimulant)
* Stop drinking caffeinated beverages (starting from mid-afternoon)
* Use your bed for sleep and other relaxing activities such as reading (not for doing work, not for watching TV)
* Practice Yoga or meditation (keep your stressful thoughts from interfering with your ability to sleep)
More Information
There are additional, proven techniques for conquering chronic insomnia and the answers are right at your finger tips...
