Insomnia - Treating it using Ayurveda

Insomnia - Treating it using Ayurveda

Insomnia is a disorder of sleep which is characterised by difficulty in falling asleep through out night. According to the duration of the complaint, it can be either episodic or transient, acute or short term lasting for less than 3 weeks and chronic or long term. It is sometimes a sign or symptom of some other physical or mental complaint. The main cause for the condition is improper sleeping habit, going to bed at different time each night, day sleep, too much light or noise in the place of sleep, spending too much time on the bed when not sleeping, sedentary lifestyle, watching television or working on computer while on bed etc. Some medications, chemicals, stress, anxiety, some painful disease condition, pregnancy etc can also lead to insomnia.

Sleep is important for many reasons. Most of all, it is an important regenerative process and the body gets repaired during sleep, and it is very much essential for proper functioning of the brain. When one does not get a restful, night's sleep, the person ends up being tired through out the day time, which affects the work efficiency and the concentration.

Symptoms:

• Trouble falling asleep.
• Sleep gets easily disturbed during night.
• Not feeling refreshed on waking up from sleep.
• Feeling tired and sleepy during day time.

MANAGEMENT:

The medical management of insomnia in modern is mainly use of Antihistamines, sedatives and anti depressants. They have many complications like creating dependence or when used long term, it may lead to tolerance too. Psychiatric intervention is also sort when the problem is chronic. Stress and anxiety management, cognitive behaviour therapy, etc are also tried in such cases.

In Ayurveda, sleep is considered as one of the three pillars of life. When one has a disturbance in it, either less or excess, it has a negative impact on the health, physical and mental. Sleeplessness causes emaciation, vitiation of Vata, one of the three bioregulating principles of the body, and creates toxicity in the body. Vata is very much aggravated in the body when one does not have a proper sleep and also, when the Vata is aggravated in the body, it leads to insomnia and disturbed sleep. Vata is aggravated due to:

• Intake of very dry, spicy and sour food substances.
• Intake of cold beverages and food items.
• Intake of foods of mutually contradictory characteristics, eg curd and fish, milk and any sour food item.
• Avoiding food intake when hungry
• Taking insufficient quantity of food.
• Exposure to dry and cold winds.
• Being awake at night.
• Excessive indulgence in sex.
• Doing strenuous exercise and work.
• Travelling long distance.
• Sitting in improper posture for long duration.
• Habitual suppression of urges of urine and feaces.
• Old age

So the main line of treatment for insomnia is prevention of cause and pacification of the aggravated Vata. Vata is effectively controlled by use of oil. Shirodhara is another treatment procedure which is very effective for insomnia. Lukewarm oil is made to drop in a thin stream on the forehead in this procedure. It has a very soothing effect on the mind and relaxes the body. This is the treatment of choice for chronic insomnia. Oil can be substituted with milk (ksheeradhara) or buttermilk (takradhara), according to the requirement. Abhyanga or massage has a very remarkable effect on this condition. A full body massage pacifies vata and is effective in insomia due to associated conditions like periodic limb movement disorder, restless leg syndrome etc. These treatment procedures complimented with internal medicines which have pacifying effect on the mind, is effective in treatment of this condition. Yoga and pranayama, ensures a peaceful state of mind and body which brings forth restful sleep at nights.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE:

• One must take adequate amount of dinner which has proper amount of fat in it.
• Excessive dry and spicy foods should be avoided especially at night.
• One must keep the mind free and relaxed while going to sleep.
• Reading good books esp on spirituality at bedtime is helpful.
• Playing relaxing and pleasing music at bedtime has beneficial effect.
• One must regularize the sleeping time and should go to bed early at the same time.
• Day sleep should be avoided
• One must avoid doing official work or spending time on the bed during day time.
• Milk, sugarcane juice, soups, meat soups, curd of buffalo milk , black gram, food prepared with flour etc are some substance which induces sleep.
• Soaking the leg in warm water mixed with little salt, just before bedtime ensures good sleep.
• Massage to the head and foot with oil is very beneficial.