There are over 80 diagnosed sleep disorders, so whether you live in the calm rural areas or downtown Akron, chances are you’re susceptible to a case of insomnia. Being unable to sleep is chiefly a sign of stress or other mental disorders, so the first step in treatment is locating the factors that cause it.
Other treatments focus on the production of melatonin, a substance that influences consciousness, and relaxation techniques that ease physical fatigue.
It’s rare that any two cases are similar
Insomnia is a blanket term for the inability to fall asleep, so its causes can be quite varied. Insomnia is most often a symptom of another mental disorder or a cause of physical or mental stress. Doctors often first do a cross-examination of patients with insomnia to identify possible causes, such as depression and treat those first and foremost. This also means identifying location-based causes, such as nearby noisy areas like the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad.
People become sleepy based on two systems in their body. One determines how long they have been active, and informs them of fatigue after an average of 24 to 28 hours. The other part of our internal clock reads environmental cues, such as fading sunlight, and triggers changes in our mind to make us weary.
Melatonin is strongly linked to insomnia
Melatonin is a chemical that affects both of these systems to induce sleepiness. Doctors may recommend medication that effects melatonin under certain circumstances, but only for short periods of time. Its long-term effects are not yet fully understood, and like many parts of insomnia, it is still under scientific investigation. As such, patients dealing with insomnia have taken comfort in lavender essential oil as an aid for sleep and natural relaxation without the use of medication.
Causes can be mental and physical
The most common theme in most insomnia cases, though, is stress, whether caused by physical or mental stressors. For this reason, the most highly recommended ways to combat stress are forms of relaxation. Massages are a common recommendation since they reduce physical stress, while visits to calming areas like a local park can help to calm the mind. The reduction of stress, in either case, can make sleeping despite insomnia easier.
Rest easy
Akron is filled with relaxing places to visit, from the many Summit Metro Parks, to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, libraries and museums, among other attractions.
The simplest way to help treat your insomnia is to take advantage of these and other stress-relieving activities, to reduce the tension in your body. Even getting a late night warm snack, like cookies from the local Insomnia Cookies, can help. If you need medication, ask your doctor about short-term prescriptions that may be able to keep your melatonin in check.
