What is Insomnia?

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia, or the inability to fall or remain asleep can take many different forms and has multiple causes. We can identify two main types of insomnia. Sleep-Onset Insomnia (problems falling asleep, also called Initial Insomnia) Sleep-maintenance insomnia (waking during the night and early in the morning)

Many people have a combination of these two types of insomnia. Insomnia may also be chronic (nearly every night) or intermittent (occasional insomnia).

 
It is estimated that over 50% of adults suffer from some sort of insomnia. While we all have occasional nights when we struggle to fall asleep, nothing can describe the frustration of battling to go to sleep night after night!

 
What is Healthy Sleep?

In order to understand the causes of insomnia, we need to have a look at how the sleep cycle works.
The amino acid L-tryptophan (found naturally in certain foods) is converted during digestion into 5-HTP and used in the manufacture of a neuro-transmitter called serotonin.

Serotonin, in turn, is transformed into a sleep hormone called melatonin by the pineal gland in the brain. The pineal gland only becomes active after dark. By regulating levels of melatonin, our bodies create the 'sleep-wake cycle'. Of course the process is more complex than this and there are other things that could contribute to sleep problems. However, sufficient production of serotonin and melatonin is crucial in promoting and maintaining healthy sleep.

What causes insomnia?

There are many potential causes of insomnia, including sleep apnea, snoring, bladder or prostate problems, stress or depression.
People who are over 60 years old and women going through the menopause are more prone to insomnia, probably due to decreased levels of melatonin in the brain.

Other causes of insomnia include 'restless legs' syndrome (RLS), magnesium or iron deficiency, hormonal imbalance, shift work and excessive consumption of caffeine or other stimulants.
Insomnia is also a side effect of some prescription anti-depressant medication.
It is thought that more than 50% of all cases of insomnia are linked to psychological causes, including depression, anxiety and stress. Prescription sleeping medication can be addictive and can affect your ability to fall asleep naturally.

Chronic insomnia is often linked to low serotonin levels caused by depression, anxiety, dietary deficiencies, chronic illness, prostate problems, menopause or being over the age of 60. Insomnia may be almost a nightly battle and you may also wake up in the middle of the night and early morning. People who suffer from chronic insomnia and fall into any of these categories, will need a little extra help.

Inducing drowsiness may help initially, but would not be a complete solution. To address the needs of people with chronic insomnia, Native Remedies has formulated Serenite-LT - a solution which addresses the causes of insomnia in order to achieve long term relief. Serenite-LT contains Hypericum perforatum and Schizandra chinesis (wu wei zi) selected herbs known for their ability to balance serotonin levels and to help the body to cope with stress. In addition, Serenite-LT contains Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin B6, all well documented as playing an important role in maintaining a healthy sleep cycle.

For a complete solution: Use Serenite-LT twice daily as directed along with SerenitePlus Drops when needed. Serenite-LT normally takes effect within 3 - 5 weeks, although some people respond even earlier. Most people find that they need SerenitePlus Drops less and less as Serenite-LT restores healthy sleep patterns.
Eat a healthy diet and make sure you have regular exercise
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and other recreational drugs
If you are depressed, anxious or stressed, take steps to make changes that will help you (Using Serenite-LT will also help with depression and anxiety)

C. For chronic insomnia associated with the elderly (men and women), women going through the menopause, adults and teenagers who have always been problem sleepers since childhood and those whose insomnia is resistant even to prescription drugs:
Add Triple Complex Sleep Tonic to the daily use of Serenite-LT.

D. For insomnia associated with prostate problems and frequent need to go to the bathroom at night:
Use Serenite-LT and Serenite Plus Drops along with Prostate Dr

Won't a prescription anti-depressant or sleeping tablet do the same job?

Of course this is your choice and can be discussed with your doctor. However, remember that insomnia may be a side effect of some of the prescription anti-depressants. Furthermore, clinical trials have suggested that St John's Wort, one of the ingredients of Serenite-LT, is just as effective as many of the major prescription anti-depressants, but has far fewer undesirable side effects.
 

The above article excerpt is copyright protected and is published with permission from the Native Remedies website found at www.nativeremedies.com

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