Alcohol Insomnia Connection - Discussion and Remedies

What is the alcohol insomnia connection?

Sleep is an essential part of life. It is as fundamental to our health as breathing, and the lack of it can result in not only a diminished quality in health, but of life as well.

About a third of the life of an average person is spent asleep, but unfortunately, for many people, sleep does not come easily.

Sleep affects our physical and mental health. Whereas it was once thought of as a passive part of one's life, it is now known that the brain is quite active during sleep, and this activity is imperative for normal functioning of systems, such as the immune system, which is essential for one to fight disease.

Sixty million people in the US suffer insomnia on a regular basis. It is most common in women and is a symptom resulting from a medical, psychiatric and / or sleep disorder. It is characterized by such factors as difficulty falling asleep, waking after only a short amount of sleep, and / or the inability to fall back to sleep once awakened. Also typical of insomnia is impaired function during waking hours.

So where does the alcohol insomnia link come in?

Sleep is so important it is necessary for the conservation of energy, for keeping our information processed, for the nervous system to function at its peak, and for irrelevant

Alcohol, however, can interfere with normal sleep patterns. It does this by disrupting certain brain neurotransmitters which regulate sleep.

There are in fact two sides of the alcohol insomnia story.

Small amounts of alcohol can actually cause early sedation or sleepiness. As a result, people suffering from insomnia feel that having a few drinks helps them unwind, and even rids them of factors such as stress. However, using alcohol as a sedative is misleading, and reveals itself in side effects that can be equally or more harmful to the natural cycle of sleep.

But, on the flip side, there is also the positive alcohol insomnia relationship - though alcohol does cause sedation, it also has a tendency to decrease REM sleep during the early part of the night. This in turn results in the need for REM sleep in the later part of the night. When repeated disruption occurs, it causes frequent awaking throughout the night, ultimately limiting REM sleep. Over time, the sedative effects of alcohol decreases and not only becomes ineffective, but creates further problems.

Eventually, sleep deprivation can lead to daytime fatigue, with the elderly at the greatest risk. Because of their age, they retain a higher level of alcohol in the blood than those younger, even if consumption is equivalent.

In treating alcohol insomnia, each patient must be considered differently if an effective remedy is to be found, each regimen depending on the patient's underlying problem and need. Though there are many medications in use for relaxation and sleep disorders, more physicians are becoming aware of this and are turning to a more holistic approach. This involves the use of relaxation techniques and herbal therapies rather than medications.

So, what are some tips and remedies for dealing with alcohol insomnia naturally?

Many insomnia sufferers find that valerian root is helpful, and this herb is available in capsules or in tea form. There are also other herbal teas available that promote relaxation and induce drowsiness - chamomile, for instance, is another useful herbal remedy. In addition, a few drops of lavender oil next to the pillow will create a calming effect for those who suffer fitful sleep.

Besides the alcohol insomnia connection, there are also many other possible causes of insomnia. Learn more about this condition, and about natural treatments and remedies for overcoming insomnia, by reading the other related insomnia articles and pages on this website.

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