What is the best remedy for a chronic insomnia?
I’ve been sleepless for 3 consecutive days. I tried melatonin from GNC but it just made me dizzy but not sleepy at all. I’ve been feeling backpain and dizziness due to sleeplessness. What are some practical solutions to my insomnia? I’ve been an insomniac since I was a teen. Pls. advise.
I’ve had insomnia since I was a teenager too. It’s awful. My story is at http://www.fms-help.com/insomnia.htm. I am now 56. A list of things I’ve tried for sleep is at http://www.fms-help.com/sleep.htm. I hope you will find some help. My doc recently switched my meds around and I’m starting to sleep sounder, although not as long as other people. Check out my homepage too at http://www.fms-help.com. Chronic insomnia can wreck your health and immune system, so it’s important to find a doc who will work with you on it to find a med that works for you, but doesn’t give you too many bad side effects, like next day hangover. Of course, you could always try some OTC sleep meds first. If they work, you won’t need to see doc for something stronger.
Why Exercise Really Can Provide Menopause Relief
Aromatherapy isn’t the only alternative remedy for menopause symptoms. Believe it or not, but exercise is also a great way to gain menopause relief from unwanted symptoms. Exercise helps you reduce stress, loose and regulate your weight, feel good about yourself, and improve your overall physical and mental wellbeing.
It becomes easier for women to gain wait during menopause due to a slow down in metabolism and the fluctuations or hormones that can increase hunger. Weight gain can actually make menopause symptoms worse. Not only that, but did you know that menopausal women who don’t engage in regular exercise, and lead a sedentary lifestyle, are more likely to suffer from -
Â?Weak and stiff muscles
Â?Poor circulation
Â?Insomnia
Â?Chronic fatigue
Â?Chronic back pain
Â?Shortness of breath
Â?Loss of bone mass
Â?Depression
In addition, physically inactive women put themselves at a higher risk of developing serious medical conditions including -
Â?High blood pressure
Â?Obesity
Â?Diabetes
Â?Osteoporosis
Â?Coronary heart disease
Â?Cancer
By simply engaging in a regular exercise routine, you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing the above physical and psychological symptoms and conditions.
What are other benefits does exercise offer menopausal women?
Increase in bone mass – When our bodies remain inactive, we lose bone mass, increasing the risk of osteoporosis; a condition that is already a high risk factor for menopausal women due to the fact that their body not longer produces estrogen. However, just because an inactive woman may be suffering from loss of bone mass doesn’t mean she can’t do something about it.
Scientific studies have found that exercise encourages the rebuilding of bone mass. In fact, engaging in regular, moderate endurance exercises such as walking or jogging can help rebuild bone mass and preserve it, reducing the risk of future fractures. How is this possible? Exercise stimulates the cells that generate new bone to work excessively.
Improvement of hot flashes – Some research suggests that exercise may in fact increase estrogen levels which decreases the intensity of hot flashes
Reduction of mood swings – Exercise boosts your energy and can give you a sense of empowerment and control simply by improving your mood. The positive effect that exercise has on a person’s state of mind can be attributed to the release of endorphins that occurs during physical activity. Endorphins are the body’s “happy” hormones that also act as a painkiller when the body is injured.
The following are exercises that help to improve menopausal symptoms:
Â? Endurance exercises – As was previously mentioned these exercises help to build bone mass and include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, aerobics, etc.
Â? Strength training – This type of exercise is designed to use resistance (IE weights, resistance bands, etc.) to help a person lose excess body fat, increase metabolism, and improve and maintain the strength of their muscles. If you are interested in this type of exercise, it’s a good idea to be taught by a qualified trainer.
Â? Yoga – This is an extremely beneficial exercise to both the mind and body. Yoga can provide energy and balance to a menopausal woman, which is something she may desperately need if her bodily changes are making her feel out of sorts. Yoga also gently stretches every muscle in the body which improves blood circulation, provides oxygenation to all tissues and cells and allows the body to fully relax. It’s a good idea to go to a Yoga class to receive proper instruction before going it alone.
Always remember to talk to you doctor before engaging in any vigorous exercise regimen as a means of menopause relief. Also make sure that you ease into your exercise routine and only increase your endurance when your body has become accustomed to the new physical activity.
what is a good homeopathic remedy or other natural alternative medicine remedy,for insomnia?
due to thoughts running in mind,and worrying ect
It seems to be at night,I worry.
I can be up early, busy all day,and still not able to sleep,late at night.
valerian?
very good answers!
ianmac-interesting about coffea,I had been wondering if it would counteract coffee.
I dont understand as I excercise every day,outside in daylight too!
the excercise has really improved other health probs I had.
There are different kinds of insomnia, but yours is classical coffea insomnia, such as my mother and I have. Your mind is too active to go to sleep. That is the symptom of caffeine poisoning, so you take homeopathic coffee (coffea) to counteract it.
Thirty years ago I got headaches every weekend. Then I read about the symptoms of coffee withdrawal, and realized that I was suffering withdrawal symptoms each weekend. I cut out coffee, and most of my insomnia also vanished.
If I'm concentrating hard on solving a problem on the computer, I could probably take coffea to prevent the problems keeping me awake, but the herb Valerian (3 tablets) an hour before bed does the trick.
Ian McAllister
Many People Over Look The Obvious When Searching For Insomnia Remedies
If you suffer from insomnia, you know it’s a miserable condition that can drive you to distraction. Insomnia is an inability to fall asleep normally, over a prolonged period. There are many possible causes, including diabetes, lung or heart disease and sleep apnea. Although there are several natural remedies that may bring relief, get a checkup to rule out diseases before using any natural insomnia remedies.
Some people with insomnia keep irregular hours, those proverbial night owls. What you may not realize is that circadian rhythms are, in large part, determined by exposure to natural light. If you’re the night owl, be sure to get natural light exposure, both in the morning and late afternoon. Walking and exercise both contribute to your ability to sleep, so take a couple of short walks every day. You may be delighted with this most simple of insomnia remedies!
Several herbs have been used for centuries as effective insomnia remedies and are still used to good effect today.
Valerian is one of the best known natural insomnia remedies, widely used in Europe for this purpose. However, valerian doesn’t work for everyone. Although valerian is well-researched, scientists are not certain of how it works, but only that it is often effective. As with many herbs, it may take two to three works before you realize results.
Kava kava is a popular and effective anti-anxiety remedy, which may prove helpful if your insomnia is anxiety related.
Relief from your insomnia may be as simple as a cup or two of chamomile tea taken an hour or two before retiring. Chamomile has a calming effect, relieving tense muscles, digestive upsets and anxiety.
Other herbs commonly used as insomnia remedies include passion flower, lemon balm, anise and skullcap. All have a calming effect on the nerves and some have a mild sedative property. These may be prepared as tea and taken as for chamomile.
Another popular and highly effective insomnia remedy is the hops pillow. Loosely fill a smallish (8″ square) cloth bag with hops and lay it on your pillow when retiring. Some people say that sprinkling the pillow with oil of lavender increases the sleep-inducing qualities of the hops.
Diet plays an important role in cases of insomnia, consisting of a short list of “do’s and don’ts”. Avoid caffeine and sugar, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Try a complex carbohydrate as an evening snack to promote sleep. A baked potato or some crackers may be all you need. (That chocolate donut won’t do!)
Some cases of insomnia are due to magnesium deficiencies, showing up in muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, irritability and an inability to fall asleep. A magnesium supplement, taken an hour before your desired bedtime can help.
Once disease has been ruled out, try a combination of these natural insomnia remedies. You’ll soon find those which work for you. Sweet dreams!
How and Why Natural Remedies are so Much Better
If you have not investigated the use of natural remedies for a wide variety of typical health problems, you are missing out on what could be your best, healthiest, and most effective options. Natural remedies are healthier for you than prescription drugs, they have far fewer nasty side effects, and are almost always significantly less expensive than prescription drugs, even after your health insurance co-pays.
For example, although there are many over the counter and prescription medicines available for heartburn relief, natural remedies for heartburn may be just as effective and cause fewer side effects. With the introduction of products that can hurt our bodies just as much as they help us, the popularity of natural herbal remedies parties is growing.
If you read the side of the bottle for traditional medications, you will see a list of the possible side effects, like â??will cause drowsiness and diarrheaâ?. Well of course this medication will cure your headache, because you will forget all about your headache when you fall asleep on the toilet!
If you have never used natural remedies, you may want to start slowly so you can begin to see the benefits. You may want to begin to incorporate the benefits of natural health into your everyday life by stocking your medicine cabinet with herbal remedies, replacing non-natural brand-name products. But like anything else, natural remedies are good for what they are designed to cure or prevent, so make sure, just like with traditional medications and drugs, that you understand the ailment that you are treating. For example, you cannot apply skin lotion to your elbow and expect it to resolve your migraine problem. Is that an extreme example? Not according to many of the calls taken by the professionals in this industry, believe it or not!
Yes, there are many cures, prescriptions, OTC (over the counter) or natural for something as common as acid reflux, but every person is different in the sense that some or all remedies might not work, or m ay lose their effectiveness after many uses. In the end, for some people, it may not be enough to avoid personal acid reflux triggers or use a natural remedy. As you use natural remedies, keep in mind that one particular remedy may not work for you. But the beauty of natural remedies is that if one does not work for you, there are a dozen others that can, in the same sense that if one prescription antibiotic does not work for you, there are many others that may.
Thousands of years ago, the people of the earth understood our bodies to a surprising level. They understood the need to keep your body in chemical balance. For example, it was important to them to use only natural remedies, and people have been using rhubarb as one of the natural remedies for heartburn and indigestion, which is still used by native Americans today. Also one of the best natural gum disease remedies known today is tea tree oil gel.
Another example is that vitamin D is one of the best natural gum disease remedies easily available. Overall, given its absence of toxic reactions and its effectiveness at promoting high-quality sleep, valerian root remains one of the best natural remedies for insomnia. Herbal remedies play an important role in the natural ways to overcome insomnia, and they are much better for you and far less chance of becoming habit-forming than their prescription counterparts.
You owe it to yourself to keep yourself as healthy as possible, and you should be encouraged to try natural remedies and herbal remedies. You will likely find that they are better and you will feel better as a result.
Does anyone have a good remedy for insomnia?
My doctor put me on ambien. It works well but makes me very spacey the next day.
Try Ambien CR. I am less spacey with that.
Or, you may want to try Lunesta. I have ok results with that, too.
You may want to try a natural herb or vitamin supplement (several are available) talk to your local pharmacist and see what they recommend and let them know what other drugs you take to avoid interactions.
Also, talk to your doctor and/or PA and tell them what problems you are having.
I would also take a hard look at what is at the root of your insomnia. Is it your eating late? Drinking too much caffeine during the day or evening?
Stress? Stress is a notorious sleep depraver. What's going on in your life right now that keeps your wheels turning late-night? Try exercising at the gym. Even a nice, long walk in the evening can have dramatic benefits.
Read before you go to bed and try a warm glass of milk. L-tryptophane (sp?) occurs naturally in milk and turkey (hence everyone passing out after T-Day dinner) and is a great sleep inducer.
Do a thorough evaulation of the things going in and out of your body…and in and out of your mind…and see if you can identify and make positive changes that effect your sleep patterns.
You will eventually find what the problem is and will begin to sleep better at night. If you are relying on power naps, take care that you don't overdose on napping and further throw sleep patterns out of whack.
Jeez, maybe I have a career opening a sleep clinic. Whomever suggested maturbation…not a bad idea, it does relax the body and makes you sleepy, too. It may help you, too, but not on a regular basis because we all know it leads to blindness…:)
Wishing you a good night's sleep…
Kimmie
Vaginal and Male Yeast Infections – Why Antifungal Herbs Might Make Things Worse
If you now suffer from a vaginal yeast infection or a male yeast infection, you’ve probably searched the Web for a mild, natural cure. And you’ve probably landed on web pages that suggest a variety of antifungal herbs, such as oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, black walnut, etc.
If so, you found web pages written by people who believe in a syndrome that the medical community does not acknowledge or accept as scientifically valid â?? called “systemic yeast infections,” “systemic candidiasis,” or “Candida overgrowth.”
The folks who believe in this syndrome have a long list of symptoms that are supposed to be caused by having too much yeast in your gut. Genital yeast infections are included on the list, but there are over 30 other vague symptoms, too â?? including such things as fatigue, insomnia, digestive problems, and infertility.
In fact, if you feel less than perfect, these folks will blame it on Candida.
It seems natural, then, to assume that the remedies recommended for this general, systemic type of yeast infection will also work for your vaginal yeast infection or male yeast infections. However, there is no proof that this is true, and there are good reasons to believe that the antifungal herbs can actually make things worse for you.
You could even find yourself with chronic yeast infections, instead of the one irritating rash you’ve got now.
Why? Because the most common cause of yeast infections is the use of antibiotics. And the herbs listed above are mild antibiotics. They may kill off some of the yeast in your intestinal tract (which is not the yeast that’s actually making you itch), but at the same time your beneficial bacteria population will also be damaged.
For this reason, the systemic yeast infection crowd always suggests that you start eating yoghurt or taking probiotic supplements â?? exactly the same recommendation you would get from your doctor to lower your risk of getting a yeast infection when you need to take antibiotics.
In other words, if the herbs have the killing power that’s claimed for them, using the herbs will damage the bacterial population that is your body’s first line of defense against yeast infections.
It would be in your best interest to skip the herbs altogether, and eat the yogurt. Some people with genital yeast infections also put the yogurt directly on the infected area, to get the beneficial bacteria right where they’re needed. There have been no studies that prove that this works, but thousands of people swear by it, and it certainly can’t hurt.
The “systemic yeast infection” web pages also recommend fairly complicated Candida diets, and there is one aspect of these diets that you should follow â?? if you’re suffering from a vaginal or male yeast infection you should stop eating sugar and white flour, at least until the symptoms and rash are gone.
Sugar has mild antibiotic properties and yeast loves it. It won’t hurt you to give it up for a week or so.
If you want a natural, soothing yeast infection remedy, apply a mild vinegar solution to the affected area. One safe way to do this is to put a cup or more of apple cider vinegar in hot bath water, and then get in for a nice relaxing soak. Or you can sponge your genital area with a vinegar solution, if a relaxing bath doesn’t appeal to you for some reason.
Ladies, do not use a vinegar douche if you have the symptoms of a yeast infection â?? if you’ve guessed wrong and actually have a bacterial infection instead, you could cause permanent damage to your reproductive organs.
(Yeast and other fungi really don’t like vinegar, so if you ever have athletes’ foot or nail fungus, remember this remedy and give your tired feet a good soak in a tub of warm vinegar solution. It may smell funny, but the fungus will almost always disappear without resorting to more expensive and invasive medications from the drug store.)
So stay away from antifungal/antibiotic herbs if you have a vaginal or male yeast infection, stop eating sugar and white flour at least until the symptoms are gone, and try soaking your rash in a nice warm vinegar bath.
If these mild and safe home remedies don’t work in a few days, it’s time to get yourself to a doctor. No home remedy is guaranteed to cure every yeast infection.
And it’s important to remember that a self-diagnosis is not always right â?? your home remedy might not be working because you don’t have a yeast infection. If you itch for some other reason, you need to know what really is causing your symptoms so your doctor can help you get rid of it before it does any lasting damage.
Depression Is No Match for Herbal Treatments
More and more consumers are approaching their doctors about getting natural herbal advice for their depression rather than being placed on synthetic anti depressants. Perhaps the most common natural herbal remedy is St. John’s Wort.
The best thing about using an herb in place of a prescribed anti depressant is perhaps that the side effects are fewer in number and definitely in severity. You can’t take St. John’s Wort in conjunction with another anti depressant or with certain other medications, so make sure you consult your doctor if you’re taking anything else before you add this treatment to the mix.
The NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is helping consumers get educated about the use of this remedy to treat depression. They believe it is best used to treat mild to moderate (but not severe) forms of depression.
What is not yet known is exactly how it works in order to treat depression. It’s believed that it may possibly prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, which is the chemical messenger in the body.
It’s been used and studied by scientists in treating mental disorders for many centuries, but it still remains somewhat of a mystery, even though its effectiveness in treating symptoms of depression such as mood swings is unprecidented, loss of appetite and often a loss of energy, and sadness has been largely documented.
The reason consumers are turning to herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort is because synthetic drugs have a high incidence of side effects, such as dry mouth, headaches, sexual dysfunction and insomnia. It’s also a less costly treatment than high-priced prescription medications.
You can buy this remedy in capsule form, as a tea, or as an extract. You have to be careful about the quantities you use when taking St. John’s Wort, because high level doses can potentially impede the treatment process by causing dizziness, upset stomach, and a sensitivity to sunlight.
St. John’s Wort is not the only herb being used to treat depression however. Damiana, Ginseng, and Valerian root are also used to improve depression symptoms such as insomnia and stress.
Regardless of which herbal remedy you wish to try in treatment for your depression symptoms, it is important to get the guidance of a doctor skilled in herbal remedies to ensure you are ingesting the correct amount and type of herb for your personal needs.
How do you remedy bouts of insomnia?
I've been under quite a bit of stress lately and my insomnia is back. Do you have any tricks? Sleeping pills make me feel horrible in the morning.
Homeopathic Treatment for Sleeplessness / Insomnia, due to different reason and with different set of symptoms (No side effects or interaction with conventional drugs) :-
Sleeplessness during menopausal stage Senecio Aur 30X, 4 hourly
Cannot sleep in the early hours of night; utterly wide awake, mind active; sleeplessness due to excitement Coffea Cruda 30X 6, hourly
Cannot sleep after 3 A.M.; sleeplessness due to mental strain or sedentary habits; sleep dreamy and restless Nux Vomica 30X, at bed times for 7 days
Due to fear or panic; insomnia after shock or fright; restlessness and tossing in bed Aconite Nap 30X 4 hourly
Due to tiredness; either physical or mental; bed feels too hard; must keep moving in search of soft portion for relief in bed Arnica Montana 30X or 200X, 1/2 hourly (3 Doses)
Sleeplessness after midnight from anxiety and restlessness; has to get up and walk Belladonna 30X, 4 hourly
Sleepy yet unable to sleep; child tosses, kicks clothes off, twitches; restless sleep with frightful dreams Arsenic Album 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)
Sleeplessness and restlessness; specially in first part of night; gets up and walks on the floor, as soon as the bed time comes patient is wide awake Chamomilla 30X or 200X, 4 hourly
Sleeplessness due to old grief; after dreams of thieves or robbers Natrum Mur 200X or 1M, 10 min (3 Doses)
Sleeplessness due to sudden shock; disappointment Ignatia 200X or 1M, 10 min (3 Doses)
Feels sleepy but cannot sleep; clocks striking at a distance keep him awake; bed feels hot; moves about in vain to find a cool spot in bed Pulsatilla 30X or 200X, 4 hourly
Restlessness during early part of sleep; sound sleep when it is turns to rise; gets too hot in bed; throws off covers, gets chilly and puts them on again; puts arms above the head during sleep Opium 30X or 200X, 4 hourly
Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine
Take Care and God Bless you.
Green Tea: Natures Secret Remedy
Green tea may sound like something you might serve with Dr. Seuss’ green eggs and ham, but it’s certainly not something that will upset your stomach. In fact, it may very well help it. Initially cultured in the fourth century B.C., green tea has been used for brewing tea as well as treating diseases since ancient times. The Chinese have used it for years, treating everything from headaches to depression.
Although it and black tea are derived from the same plant, it is the difference in their processing that sets them apart. Green tea is dried but not fermented, as black tea is. This allows it to hold its beneficial chemicals intact. The beneficial chemicals are catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants such as this prevent free radicals (which are particles in our bodies) from harming our cells. Free radicals may lead to cancer. In this way, antioxidants hinder cancer cell growth by killing cancer cells. However, they do not harm healthy tissue.
Research has shown it is effective in fighting a variety of cancers. There have also been studies demonstrating that green tea may help lower cholesterol and prevent blood clots, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks. It may also help with hypertension, kidney function, and arthritis. Green tea is also believed to give the immune system a boost by allowing it to fight viral and bacterial infections. This would also help to prevent allergies, colds and flu.
Skin aging is a result of free radical damage, so green tea can help with skin care as well. In fact, some skin care brand names are using green tea in their products today. Green tea may also help improve memory and slow the development of Alzheimer’s. Since it boosts insulin activity in the body by more than 15%, it can help with diabetes. Furthermore, it may aid with weight loss, since it is believed to increase metabolic rates. This may also strengthen bones, which may help prevent osteoporosis. Green tea may even help with tooth decay by killing bacteria that causes plaque. The only negative side effect of green tea is insomnia due to the caffeine content. However, the caffeine content in green tea is still lower than that in coffee.
As little as four to five cups of tea per day has shown to be beneficial to the human body. The taste is fresh, light, and some say green or grassy. Some teas have a bit of sweetness and some are astringent. Typically, green tea is not served with milk and sugar, but that is for you to decide.
