Description:

Insomnia is a disorder characterized by difficulty in falling asleep or maintaining sleep. Moreover, insomnia is characterized by poor sleep quality, causing physical and emotional symptoms during the daytime, which affects social and cognitive performance.

Insomnia is a common disorder that is difficult to diagnose and treat and requires a clear strategy and planning. Insomnia, whether it is a symptom, a syndrome or a disorder in its own right, has serious occupational, social consequences and imposes a significant economic burden on society. The Brazilian Sleep Association has developed new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia in adults and children, which have been published in the journal Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria (2010; 68 (4): 666-675). The work discusses general issues concerning sleep problems, as well as methods of clinical and psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, selection and prescription of drug and psychotherapeutic treatment.

In November 2008, at the initiative of the Brazilian Society of Sleep Medicine, various experts in the field of sleep medicine were invited to São Paulo to discuss the creation of new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. The following topics were discussed at this event: clinical and psychosocial verification of the diagnosis, recommendations for polysomnography, pharmacological treatment, behavioral and cognitive therapy, comorbidities in children.

Types of insomnia (insomnia):

1. Adaptive insomnia (acute insomnia). This sleep disorder occurs against the background of acute stress, conflict, or a change in environment. The consequence is an increase in overall activation nervous system, which makes it difficult to fall asleep when falling asleep in the evening or awakening at night. With this form of sleep disorders, it is possible to determine with great certainty the cause that caused them; adaptive insomnia lasts no more than three months.

2. Psychophysiological insomnia. If sleep disturbances persist for a longer period, they are “overgrown” with psychological disorders, the most characteristic of which is the formation of “fear of sleep”. At the same time, somatized tension increases in the evening hours, when the patient tries to “force” himself to fall asleep faster, which leads to aggravation of sleep disorders and increased anxiety the next evening.

3. Pseudoinsomnia. The patient claims that he sleeps very little or does not sleep at all, however, when conducting a study that objectifies the picture of sleep, the presence of sleep in excess of subjectively felt is confirmed. Here, the main symptom-forming factor is a violation of the perception of one's own sleep, associated primarily with the peculiarities of the sense of time at night (periods of wakefulness at night are well remembered, and periods of sleep, on the contrary, are amnesic), and fixation on problems of one's own health associated with sleep disturbance.

4. Idiopathic insomnia. Sleep disturbances in this form of insomnia are noted with childhood, and other causes of their development are excluded.

5. Insomnia in mental disorders. 70% of patients with neurotic mental disorders have problems initiating and maintaining sleep. Often, sleep disturbance is the main “symptomatic” radical, due to which, according to the patient, numerous “vegetative” complaints develop ( headache, fatigue, palpitations, blurred vision, etc.) and social activity is limited.

6. Insomnia due to poor sleep hygiene. In this form of insomnia, sleep problems occur as a result of activities leading to increased activation of the nervous system in the periods prior to bedtime. This may be drinking coffee, smoking, physical and mental stress in the evening, or other activities that interfere with the initiation and maintenance of sleep (laying down at different times of the day, using bright lights in the bedroom, an uncomfortable environment for sleeping).

7. Behavioral insomnia of childhood. It occurs when children form incorrect associations or attitudes related to sleep (for example, the need to fall asleep only when motion sickness, unwillingness to sleep in their own crib), and when trying to remove or correct them, the child shows active resistance, leading to a reduction in sleep time.

8. Insomnia in somatic diseases. Manifestations of many diseases internal organs or the nervous system are accompanied by a violation of night sleep (hunger pain with peptic ulcer, night, painful neuropathies, etc.).

9. Insomnia associated with taking medications or other substances. The most common insomnia occurs with the abuse of sleeping pills and alcohol. At the same time, the development of an addiction syndrome (the need to increase the dose of the drug to obtain the same clinical effect) and dependence (the development of a withdrawal syndrome when the drug is stopped or its dose is reduced) is noted.

Accompanying illnesses:

1. Syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea.
In 1973, Guileminault and colleagues described an association between insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea; This phenomenon became known as "obstructive sleep apnea syndrome". The relationship between these two common sleep disorders is complex and not fully understood. There is an increased incidence of respiratory distress in patients with insomnia compared to the general population. The severity of insomnia symptoms is directly related to the severity of apnea, thus determining their comorbidity. Lishtein and colleagues have shown that a significant number of individuals, especially the elderly, have a combination of these two conditions: undiagnosed sleep apnea syndrome and insomnia. Thus, polysomnography can help detect significant breathing problems associated with insomnia.
Women in the peri- and postmenopausal period are more likely to suffer from insomnia compared to women of childbearing age. Hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progesterone) improves the quality of sleep and has a beneficial effect on the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Benzodiazepines cause sedation, decreased muscle tone respiratory tract and decreased ventilation of the lungs, leading to hypoxemia. In this regard, in the presence of the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea, the appointment of drugs of this group is not recommended. The use of various devices to improve airway patency (for example, based on the creation of positive air pressure) also negatively affects the quality of sleep, especially during the adaptation phase.

The optimal approach to treating insomnia is to recognize the multifactorial cause of insomnia. Most often, it is not sleep disorders that have to be treated, but the disease that led to them. Sometimes it is necessary to eliminate the traumatic situation that has become a source of insomnia. As a rule, it is very difficult to recognize the main cause of insomnia in a particular person. This requires the experience of a doctor, thoughtfulness, a carefully collected anamnesis, examination, and only then can treatment be started. Sometimes they choose a simpler way to correct sleep - the appointment of sleeping pills.

Statistics show that about 15% of patients use drugs for insomnia. You need to know that regular use of sleeping pills for several weeks or months leads to a decrease in sensitivity to them. As a result, the effectiveness of drugs decreases and therefore it is necessary to use higher and higher doses to achieve a hypnotic effect.

Drug therapy is always prescribed in conjunction with sleep hygiene. Sometimes only the implementation of the rules of sleep without prescribing drugs allows you to completely restore it. The underlying disease that led to insomnia, including pharmacological agents, is also necessarily treated. And in this case, it is fundamentally correct to choose the regimens and doses of medication, because some of them themselves disrupt normal sleep. For the treatment of insomnia syndrome, psychotherapy or autogenic training is also used, if the origins of insomnia lie in psychological problems or stress. Relaxing methods of autogenic training are very effective because they provide a state of rest that quickly turns into a healthy sleep.

There are no standard rules for the doses and duration of sleeping pills. The medicine should be selected individually by the attending physician. The main task is to keep the effective dose as small as possible, and the course as short as possible. Usually, 1 - 3 tablets or capsules are used at night, starting with the smallest dose of the active substance content in them. The duration of the course is from 1 - 2 days to 1 - 2 weeks, which is enough with proper treatment.

Only with chronic insomnia will a longer course be required. Then it is recommended to start treatment with several short courses. This is due to the fact that long-acting drugs are slowly excreted from the body due to their ability to accumulate, gradually increasing their concentration in body tissues. In the "light period" you need to not take sleeping pills at all for 1 - 2 weeks. This cleansing of the body from the drug - "sanitary days" - allows you to assess the need and effectiveness of their appointment.

It is advisable to check every 3 to 6 months whether there is a need for sleeping pills. To do this, it is useful not to lose touch with your doctor by visiting him prophylactically.

In the event that the treatment is carried out by psychotherapy, anyway, at first it is necessary to take sleeping pills 2-3 times a week.

Sleeping pills are prescribed only individually, taking into account the peculiarities of the disturbance of the structure of sleep and the causes of insomnia. The ideal sleeping pill should act instantly, helping you fall asleep quickly and without adversely affecting the various phases of normal sleep. The drug should not cause drowsiness that spreads to the next day, affect memory, coordination of movements and the speed of mental reactions.

Most sleeping pills are prescription and are prescribed by the attending physician under strict indications on prescriptions with a round seal. A small number of drugs can be purchased without a prescription.

All prescription sleeping pills inhibit the physical and mental activity of a person. Drugs with a shorter elimination half-life are less likely to impair performance the next day. Their other side effect is the so-called anterograde amnesia - loss of memory of events that occurred after taking the medicine. Another problem associated with prescription sleeping pills is the recurrence of insomnia. This usually happens after stopping the drug. In this case, there is a gradual deterioration in sleep over a number of nights, which makes it necessary to resume taking sleeping pills. This complication is more often observed when using a drug with a short elimination half-life. The action of sleeping pills with a long half-life decreases gradually, and therefore, when canceled, does not cause the resumption of insomnia. Cancellation of sleeping pills used in high doses is also much more likely to cause sleep disturbances. Therefore, it is better to take small doses of sleeping pills.

The appointment of sleeping pills necessarily takes into account not only indications, but also contraindications to them.

When should sleeping pills not be taken?

– Unless prescribed by a doctor.

– If there is no exact diagnosis of the cause of insomnia.

- Along with alcohol.

- When sleeping pills make you sleepy during the day.

- Pregnant and lactating mothers.

– Patients with sleep apnea.

- You can not take sleeping pills for a long time to exclude psychological dependence.

There are rules for taking sleeping pills that should be followed when taking medication. Sleeping pills should be taken if:

- the doctor prescribed;

- no longer than 2 - 3 weeks for the treatment of short-term insomnia;

- once every 2 - 3 days for chronic insomnia;

- in the minimum dose that gives the effect.

When using sleeping pills, be sure to take precautions and not self-medicate. First of all, it concerns:

- old people;

- when a large number of other drugs are taken;

- with renal failure;

- with concomitant lung diseases;

– if the patient suffers from a mental illness or depression;

- with snoring;

- when the profession requires a clear head in the morning (drivers, firefighters, doctors, dispatchers, conveyor workers, etc.).

Your doctor will determine which sleeping pill is appropriate for your sleep problems and, most importantly, how it fits with the rules of life, other illnesses, and medications.

So, you need to remember that insomnia is a real complaint caused by real problems. That is why you should go to the doctor so that insomnia does not poison everyday life. After all, there is salvation from insomnia!

The market for insomnia drugs has evolved in several stages. Until the 20th century, bromine, urethane and opium were used as sleeping pills. 1903 is the beginning of the first stage of the treatment of insomnia, when barbiturates began to be used. The second stage dates back to 1950, when neuroleptics (phenothiazine derivatives) and antihistamines were prescribed for insomnia. The third stage is the era of benzodiazepine sleeping pills. Since 1960, first appeared chlordiazepoxide, then diazepam And oxazepam. In the late 1980s, a new generation of sleeping pills, cyclopyrrolones ( zopiclone) and imidazopyridines ( zolpidem), the action of which selectively (selectively) affects sleep.

OTC products can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription.

– Melatonin, melatonex(melatonin together with pyridoxine) was created recently and is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland of the brain. Studies have shown that melatonin is directly related to the circadian jet lag and is therefore effective in the treatment of insomnia caused by circadian rhythm disturbances and temporal adjustment during jet lag long distance travel.

– Corvalol - known to compatriots means for falling asleep. It contains barbiturate phenobarbital in a small amount, which is due to its hypnotic effect. In order to sleep better, you need to take 40-50 drops of Corvalol before going to bed, dissolving them in a small amount of water.

– Ginkgo biloba (bilobil, tanakan, memoplant) is a tablet containing an extract of a plant called the "tree of life" - Ginko Biloba, which improves cerebral circulation. It is used to treat acute and chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency, especially in the elderly, which is accompanied by sleep disturbance, dizziness, noise in the head, memory loss and attention. Ginkgo Biloba is used in courses of 2-3 months to restore cerebral circulation. No contraindications have been established.

Approximately 30% of sufferers have tried alcohol as a sleeping pill. You need to know that this well-known folk remedy is a deceptive sleeping pill. Accelerating the onset of sleep, it causes its fragmentation: shortening of cycles and insufficiency of the deep phase of sleep. This leads to frequent waking up at night. As a result, after drinking alcohol, people first fall asleep soundly, but after a few hours they wake up and a sleepless night is provided for them.

Prescription drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor.

– Histamine H blockers 1 - receptors: diphenhydramines ( diphenhydramine and its synonyms of different firms); promethazines ( pipolfen, diprazine); doxylamine ( donormin), which are mainly used to treat allergic diseases (urticaria, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, Quincke's edema, serum sickness, etc.). These drugs also have a moderate hypnotic and strong sedative effect. When they are taken, depression of the central nervous system, daytime sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision with intolerance and overdose are possible.

By causing calm and drowsiness, they help a person fall asleep. Most of these drugs have a long-term effect and therefore can cause morning sleepiness, headache, lethargy and dry mouth.

The bad news is that after a few days or weeks of taking the effect of H 1 - Blockers are reduced, which requires an increase in the dose of sleeping pills and, accordingly, the risk of complications from their use increases.

Unlike over-the-counter drugs, H blockers 1 - histamine receptors are used to treat sleep disorders and insomnia under the strict supervision of a physician. In the elderly, the dose should be reduced by 2 times. Due to the sedative and long-term hypnotic effect, drugs of some groups (diphenhydramines, promethazines and doxylamines) cannot be prescribed during work to drivers of vehicles and other persons whose profession requires a quick mental and physical reaction.

- Benzodiazepines are more effective than previous agents. By accelerating falling asleep, they shorten the first phase of sleep and increase the duration of the second phase. This is a large number of drugs that are actively used in the domestic market of sleeping pills ( chlosepid, sibazon, phenazepam, nosepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, mazapam). When they are taken, sleep becomes more complete. Advantages of benzodiazepines consist, first of all, that they are quickly soaked up and get to a brain; their action coincides in time with the duration of the night; the main substances and decay products are excreted quickly and by morning the head is light. Shorter duration agents are usually used to help you fall asleep, while longer duration agents are used to support sleep.

When properly taken in a short course (days or weeks) and at a minimum dose, complications, as a rule, do not occur. But if the rules for taking them are violated, a decrease in sensitivity appears, which makes it necessary to increase doses, and as a result, dependence is formed. As observations have shown, such patients are generally prone to drug abuse, and sometimes to drug addiction. Unsteady gait with frequent falls, confusion, blurred vision, reduced sensation in the legs are common complications, especially in older people. The combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol is dangerous, as their effect is enhanced. As a result, excessive sedation develops, frequent dizziness, coordination disorders with falls, bruises and injuries.

Sudden discontinuation of benzodiazepines causes withdrawal syndrome with a relapse of insomnia. Sometimes such insomnia is much harder and more painful than before taking the drugs. This complication can be avoided by gradually reducing the dose - reduce the number of tablets over a long time or take small doses from the very beginning of treatment.

The physician prescribing benzodiazepines should take into account the activity of the metabolites of the drug, the regimen and duration of administration, the age and concomitant diseases of the patient.

– Zolpidem (ivadal) is an agent of the pyridine series. This is a new drug that, while not being a benzodiazepine, stimulates central benzodiazepine receptors. It is used for situational and prolonged sleep disorders, with difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal and early awakenings. It should be taken just before bed. It can also cause desensitization and addiction.

– Zopiclone (somnol, imovan) is a means of a new generation of the pyrrolon series. Zopiclone is a fast-acting hypnotic short period half-life. It does not reduce the duration of REM sleep and does not disrupt the normal sequence of its stages. Sleep comes within half an hour and lasts more than 6 hours. If the dream was interrupted, then the person falls asleep more easily again. In the morning there is no drowsiness, the quality of life does not suffer, as the feeling of cheerfulness and the ability to concentrate are preserved.

- Other sleeping pills. These include barbiturates ( phenobarbital, amobarbital, cyclobarbital), meprobamate And chlorovinol. All of them are less effective and safe than benzodiazepines. Often, for financial reasons, they are prescribed, although they try to avoid this, since there are more modern medicines. Sometimes antidepressants with a sedative effect are prescribed as sleeping pills ( amitriptyline, trazodone, trimipramine) in small doses orally. They are useful in depression with sleep disturbance.

Summarizing the above information about drug treatment insomnia, it becomes clear that sleeping pills help a person fall asleep quickly and sleep well if they are used in adequate doses and in a short course. The task of the doctor is to select the drug in such a way as to determine the minimum effective dose without side effects. It is important to know that sleeping pills should not be taken continuously. They are drunk only in emergency cases, if necessary, in combination with sleep hygiene and correction of the underlying disease.

When prescribing sleeping pills, it is imperative to take into account precautions and contraindications. Sleeping pills should not be taken by people who have breathing problems during sleep, pregnant women, nursing mothers, people who abuse alcohol and drug addicts. You can take sleeping pills only if they are prescribed by a doctor (in case of short-term insomnia - no longer than 2-3 weeks, or in chronic insomnia - when you need to take the medicine once in 2 or once in 3 nights at a minimum dose).

Good sleep is a sign of physical and mental health. Human health consists in the harmony of the body, spirit and nature. Water, like no other substance, connects us with the whole world. The water of our body and the water of rivers, rain and snowy peaks are one and the same. It heals, cleanses, rejuvenates, becoming a natural healer and the best way restore health. How else? Even the sea is close in composition to our blood. Substances of the earth, dissolved in water, bring healing in healing springs.

Hydrotherapy is one of the most natural natural methods of healing, known since ancient times. It differs from others in its availability, safety and ability to maintain health and vigor until old age.

Thalassotherapy(treatment by the sea) - the impact on the patient of hydroaerones, bathing and swimming in the sea, wiping with sea water and taking sea baths. It is good to swim calmly, breathing deeply and evenly. This means that the body is enriched with oxygen, which brings good sleep. The body rests in the weightlessness created by the water.

It is best to swim in the sea at a water temperature of 20 to 27 ° C. best time– from 10 am to 5 pm. Breakfast should be light. If the food was plentiful, then you need to withstand at least 2 hours before entering the water. Having undressed, one should not immediately rush into the waves, first it is better to take an air bath, exposing the body to fresh air and the sun. Let your skin breathe a little. If the skin is hot, then it is necessary to allow the body to cool, dry the sweat before bathing. Normal bathing time is 3 – 20 min. Thalassotherapy cures insomnia.

Swimming in the sea is contraindicated for people who are in a state of strong nervous tension, alcohol intoxication, high blood pressure and frequent epileptic seizures.

In sanatoriums and seaside resorts, in addition to bathing, "sleep by the sea" has long been used with good effect, when patients sleep on a veranda located on the seashore, to the sound of waves.

There are many types of natural and artificial therapeutic baths that are successfully used for diseases of the nervous system, including insomnia.

Exist general rules taking any bath. The air temperature in the room where the bath is taken should not be below 20 °C. Baths should not be taken on a full stomach. It is best to do this before a meal or not earlier than 2 to 3 hours after a meal. Before taking a bath, the body should be evenly warmed up (by movement, massage), especially to ensure that the hands and feet are not cold.

Can be taken at home coniferous baths and baths with sea salt, which well relieve daytime fatigue, nervous tension and prepare the body for sleep.

In sanatoriums and rest homes, they are prescribed to relax the nervous system and improve sleep. iodine-bromine, sulfide, carbonic, oxygen, pearl, radon baths that have healing properties.

At home, you can successfully treat with hand and foot mustard baths. Such baths perfectly train the vessels, redistributing blood from stagnant internal organs evenly throughout the body. For them, they take 1 - 2 tablespoons of dry mustard, pour it into a cloth bag and lower it into a bucket with warm water, after which the bag is squeezed several times. Water should be with a temperature of 35 - 37 ° C. Hands are immersed in the bath up to the elbows, and legs - up to the middle of the lower leg for 10 - 20 minutes.

Some people are helped to sleep sodium chloride baths (salty) of low concentration (3 - 5 g / l) with a water temperature of 36 - 37 ° C, duration 10 - 15 minutes. Others - a warm or, conversely, invigorating cool shower.

We got acquainted with another non-drug method of treating insomnia - hydrotherapy. This method can and should be used at home to beat insomnia without resorting to sleeping pills.

Plants that have a calming and mild hypnotic effect are used in the treatment of insomnia.

In recent years, the use of thousands of years of folk experience in the field of medicine is not only generally recognized, but also accepted with gratitude. Patiently, caringly and with respect for the creative wisdom of the ancestors, masterpieces of folk healing are being revealed today. Plant treatment is one of the oldest and, at the same time, modern methods called phytotherapy.

The medicinal properties of plants have long been used to treat nervous diseases, most often as sedatives or sleeping pills. Many of these plants live near us, we know them well and distinguish them among the summer forbs. Here are some of the representatives of the healing green pharmacy.

Valerian officinalis

Description: perennial herbaceous plant with vertical short rhizome and numerous long cord-like roots. It has a strong characteristic odour. In the first year, a rosette of leaves is formed, in the second - single or several peduncles, 50 - 130 cm long. The leaves are opposite. The flowers are small, collected in complex semi-umbellate inflorescences at the top of the stem. Corolla light pink or white.

Raw material: roots and rhizomes.

Main action: soothing.

Excitable and nervous people can take valerian as many times a day as needed to calm the nervous system. By-effects are not noted! Valerie translated from Latin means "feel good, be strong and healthy." Even gardeners in the south of the country know that vegetables grow better if valerian is planted between them. Valerian itself is unpleasant in taste and smell, but the tea collection improves its taste.

Mode of application: at home, a hot infusion is prepared from 2 tsp. crushed roots in 1 cup of water. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3 - 4 times a day. Infusion can be given to children 2-3 times a day for 2 tsp. With especially increased excitability, it is recommended to take 1/3 or 1/2 cup of hot infusion 2 to 3 times a day. For insomnia, it is better to drink 1/2 cup before bed.

More widely use valerian tincture 20 - 50 drops at a time several times a day or tablets.

Soothing tea is useful: valerian root - 40 g, hop cones - 30 g, mint leaves - 15 g. It is best to insist the collection in warm water during the night, and in the morning, warm up, strain. The action of this tea is beneficial, especially for the elderly who need heart and sedatives.

Melilot officinalis

Description: biennial herbaceous plant. The stem is ascending or erect, branched at the base, 50–200 cm high. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate. The flowers are collected in elongated cluster-shaped inflorescences in the axils of the upper leaves. Corolla yellow of 5 unequal petals.

Raw material: dried tops of stems with leaves and flowers. When harvesting, the flowering tops are cut off and tied in bunches to dry.

Main action: painkiller.

Way Applications: to prepare a hot infusion, take 2 tsp. crushed raw materials and pour 2 cups of boiling water. After 2 - 3 hours, filter and drink within one day in small portions.

For external use (compresses, washings) use an infusion of 2 tbsp. l. raw materials for 0.5 l of boiling water, which is kept in a closed vessel for 20 minutes. Apply chilled infusion.

Angelica officinalis (angelica officinalis, angelica)

Description: biennial herbaceous plant with a radish-like massive rhizome. The stem is erect, tubular, green, purple in the lower part, branched in the upper part. The height of the plant reaches 150 cm. The leaves are twice - thrice pinnate. Compound umbel at the top of the stem with small greenish-yellow or greenish-white flowers. Blooms in June - August.

Raw material: roots.

Main action: soothing, antispasmodic, stimulating digestion.

The soothing effect is due to the content of valeric acid in it. Angelica has not only a calming, but also a stimulating digestion, antispasmodic effect due to other components.

Mode of application: Pour 30 g of crushed root with 500 mg of white wine and insist for a day, shaking often. Strain and take half a glass of wine 2 times a day.

St. John's wort

Description: perennial herbaceous plant 20-50 cm high, opposite leaves, flowers in the form of thyroid inflorescences at the top of the stems. Leaflets 5 pieces yellow color with black dotted glands along the edge, in the upper half - with black or red transparent glands. Blooms from June to August.

Raw material: only the apical part, covered with leaves of flowering stems, which are collected. During flowering, the stems covered with leaves are cut off about 20 cm long from the top. They are tied in bundles and hung to dry on a rope or wire in a dry, shaded and well-ventilated area.

Main action: regenerative (healing), analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, sedative and antidepressant.

St. John's wort is a very healing plant for the nervous system, because it has a calming and restorative effect. Recent studies have discovered its antidepressant properties, which manifest themselves without suppressing the functions of the central nervous system.

Mode of application: use the whole dried plant in powder form. Fall asleep 2 tsp. raw materials in 0.5 l hot water and boil for 5 min. Take a glass of wine before meals 3-4 times a day.

Hypericum tea relieves fear, nervous anxiety and improves mood. St. John's wort is an ideal remedy for those who have suffered a bereavement, divorce or found themselves in other crisis situations. It is necessary to take 3 to 6 cups of tea for several weeks or months.

To improve sleep, St. John's wort is used as one of the components of a sleep pillow as an aromatherapy.

Melissa officinalis

Description: perennial herbaceous plant with a characteristic smell of lemon. The stem is erect, branched, the leaves are opposite, rounded-toothed. Flowers 6-10 in the axils of the upper leaves. Corolla pale yellow, white or pink, fused into a tube. It blooms in July - September and is often grown in home gardens.

Raw material: leaves and stem tips.

Main action: soothing, analgesic, reducing arterial pressure and antispasmodic.

Melissa is not only effective, but also a plant with a strong pleasant smell. Because of its aroma, it is also called lemon balm. Leaves are best harvested before flowering, because later they already lose their aroma. A flowering plant attracts a lot of bees, because lemon balm is a good honey plant.

Mode of application: 2 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials pour 2 cups boiling water. Strain the cooled infusion and drink the daily dose within one day.

Melissa tea helps with nervousness and insomnia. 3 tsp leaves take 1 cup of boiling water. After closing the lid, let the tea brew for 5 minutes, and shake off the condensate formed on the lid back into the cup.

Oats

Description: an annual herbaceous plant with a hairy root. The stem is round, hollow, up to 1 m high. The leaves are lanceolate, the flowers are green with long awns in the form of spikelets that form panicles.

Raw material: oat flour.

Main action: sedative, in some cases a mild sedative.

Oats are used as a dietary food product for acute inflammatory diseases. gastrointestinal tract, fever, gout.

Mode of application: 1 st. l. oat grains or flakes in 2 cups of water, cook for a long time. It is advised the day before to pour oats or flakes with water in the evening and cook the next day. Take a decoction of 1 glass a day (drink like tea).

An oatmeal drink with milk and honey is also useful. Pour a glass of oats (flakes) with 5 glasses of water, cook until half the amount of water has evaporated. Strain and add an equal volume of milk (about 2 cups) and boil again. Then add 4 tsp. honey (you can have more to taste) and cook again. A pleasant-tasting and high-calorie drink should be drunk in 2-3 doses for 1 day, preheated.

decorative peony

Description: perennial herbaceous plant with a rod-shaped thickened root and a short rhizome. The stems are erect, 50 - 90 cm high. The leaves are alternate, twice - thrice pinnatisected. The flowers are one at the top of the stems, 7-13 cm in size. Petals 5-10, unfused, blood-red (pale reddish or pink).

Raw material: roots.

Main action: soothing and antispasmodic.

Mode of application: boil a coffee spoon of powdered roots in 0.5 liters of water for 3-5 minutes. Strain the broth and drink in a coffee cup 3 times a day. In the same way, you can prepare a hot infusion of leaves. Children are contraindicated!

motherwort

Description: perennial herbaceous plant with woody rhizome. The stem is erect, 50 - 200 cm high, green or red-violet. Leaves are ovate. The flowers are arranged in whorls at the top of the stem in the axils of the leaves. Corolla light red, 9 mm long.

Raw material: ground flowering part.

Main action: sedative and anticonvulsant, as well as antiarrhythmic.

Method of application: 2 tsp crushed raw materials pour 200 ml cold water and incubated for 8 hours (cold extraction). The resulting solution is taken throughout the day. According to another recipe 2 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials insist 2 hours in 500 ml of boiling water. Drink a glass of wine 4 times a day before meals.

Sleep-grass (Geller's lumbago)

Description: perennial herbaceous plant with a short rhizome. Aboveground stems 3 - 12 cm, in fruiting lengthen up to 45 cm. Basal leaves are dissected into 7 - 9 lobules. The flowers are solitary, large, 5-8 cm in size. The perianth is simple, bell-shaped, erect, with dark or light purple petals. Blooms in May - June.

Raw material: the aerial part of the plant.

Main action: soothing, analgesic and overwhelming sex drive. Even Hippocrates used sleep-grass to treat patients with hysteria, in case of menstrual irregularities, sexual overexcitation. Sleep grass has an analgesic and sedative effect.

Mode of application: in the form of an alcohol tincture from fresh raw materials (20%), 20-40 drops per day.

Common hop

Description: Perennial herbaceous plant with a long creeping rhizome. Stem ribbed, with spines. The leaves are alternate on petioles, with sharp tips and serrated edges. The flowers are staminate, collected in panicles and located in the axils of the leaves.

Raw material: Female inflorescences (cones) collected in August before flowering. Lupulin is a yellow-green resinous coarse-grained powder with a valerian aroma. It is obtained by rubbing the inflorescences through a sieve.

Main action: soothing.

Hop cones have a pronounced calming effect and are used not only folk medicine, but also by pharmacists for the preparation of drugs used for nervous anxiety and sleep disorders. Hops also have analgesic and antispasmodic effects.

Mode of application: 1 or 2 tsp crushed cones pour a glass of boiling water. The cooled infusion is filtered and drunk in small sips in the evening.

The medicinal plants listed above are successfully used in modern medicine in the form of official dosage forms (tinctures, tablets). Their usefulness has been verified by the results of experimental pharmacology and toxicology studies. The soothing or mild hypnotic and analgesic effect of plants helps to establish a healthy sleep. Like all herbal remedies, they have a slow, mild and moderate effect, giving long-term therapeutic results. Such properties of phytotherapeutic agents are precisely the factor that helps with chronic diseases of the nervous system, leading to insomnia.

Based on the accumulated practical experience of herbal treatment, several rules for the use of plants for treatment have been developed:

1. Treatment should begin with not very strong acting plants.

2. It is necessary to use those parts of the plant that contain all the components found in it, and not synthetic analogues of active substances. It will no longer be phytotherapy.

3. Means are used for a long time, not less than 3 - 4 weeks.

The ancient tradition of treating insomnia with the aroma of healing herbs is not forgotten either - pillow for sleep. Long time the effect of smell as a therapy was not taken into account. In the light of new discoveries, aromatherapy is recognized effective method impact on human health. Leaves of lemon balm, mint and St. John's wort, hop cones will have a calming effect thanks to essential oils. A pillow with herbs is placed at the head. For your sleeping pillow, you can use herbs in various combinations. Their aroma will not only be a pleasant reminder of summer, but will also have a calming and mild hypnotic effect. In a sleepy pillow, you can add not only mint leaves, but also chamomile flowers, roses, lavender, jasmine. Their pleasant aroma and magical healing properties will promote good sleep and pleasant dreams. Remember if you had to spend the night in a haystack? Do you know how great it is to sleep in the hayloft! All this can be called aromatherapy.

Advice for parents. Babies often stay awake because of pain and bloating, or during teething. A pillow with hops, chamomile and valerian at the head will help them fall asleep. For children under one year old, a small bag with dry chamomile flowers, placed on the stomach, will relieve pain. The essential oil of flowers soothes the intestines, giving the child the opportunity to sleep.

Thus, herbal medicine methods are another option of choice in the treatment of insomnia. Herbal medicine has its own benefits. First of all, these are rarer and less pronounced side effects. Biologically active substances of plants, in contrast to the synthetic ones obtained in the laboratory of chemical analogues, are derivatives of living organisms, although they are vegetable, and carry the positive energy of health. In addition, phytotherapeutic agents, especially self-assembled ones, are cheaper and available to everyone. It is also important that herbal treatment can be carried out at home, carefully and scrupulously following the recommendations for preparing medicinal preparations, infusions and decoctions. In addition, it is more pleasant to deal with beautiful and fragrant plants, hold them in your hands, look for and collect, prepare medicines for yourself or loved ones, bringing recovery.

Of course, in fairness, the results of herbal medicine should be evaluated in comparison with the risk that is possible in the course of practical implementation. This applies, first of all, to the great diversity in the quantitative and qualitative composition of biologically active substances in living medicinal plants in comparison with the preparations obtained from them. This leads to the risk of reducing the effect when using whole herbs. The risk is exacerbated when the dosage of the collection also varies over a wide range.

One more circumstance should be noted, speaking about the risk of using phytotherapy. The fact is that not all plants are safe. The toxicity of many plants is simply not well understood.

And the most important circumstance is that the overestimation of herbal medicine, in practice, can lead to a loss of time when the development of insomnia is at a stage when it can still be easily cured. The longer it takes root, the less likely it is to get rid of it at the lowest cost.

And finally, very important point consists in the correct collection, drying and preservation of medicinal plants.

Herbal raw materials and medicines can be obtained from cultivated or wild plants. How the herbs were harvested depends on them. healing property. The collection is carried out in daylight and sunny time during the appropriate growing season of the plant. When collecting grass, leaves and flowers are placed in containers adapted for this purpose (baskets, bags, boxes). Make sure that they do not wrinkle, do not squeeze and quickly transferred to the place of drying. If transportation is difficult, then the collected parts of the plant are spread indoors in a thin layer on the shelves, floor. Plant material in these cases can be stored no longer than 10 - 12 hours.

When only tubers, roots and rhizomes are used, the aerial part of the plant is cut off. When the aerial part is taken, then only it is cut off, without eradicating the plant. Flowers, leaves and fruits are harvested one at a time, either by hand or with scissors and knives. If these are stems, then it is more convenient to mow them with a scythe or a sickle, rather than tear them with your hands so as not to harm the entire plant.

It is important to collect plants and time of year. Above-ground parts are harvested during the flowering period, and underground - in spring or autumn. The time of day also matters, and each type of plant may have its own characteristics. Fresh plant parts are cleaned before drying. Mechanical impurities are removed from the underground parts by immersion for a short time in running water and subsequent shaking. Sometimes you need to scrape off the bark before drying, which is easy to do immediately after pulling the root out of the soil. After cleaning, the raw material is dried for a certain time at the temperature set for the given type and composition of the raw material.

Can be purchased at the pharmacy network ready medicinal plants in the package and use them according to the instructions.

In any case, in the treatment of insomnia, it is wrong to put forward an alternative: drugs or plants. As you can see, they only complement each other and are effective along with mandatory sleep hygiene and other therapies prescribed by the doctor. The main thing is that the patient and his doctor have the right to choose medical treatment. We are familiar with all the treatments for insomnia and are armed enough to defeat it.

Sleep disorders include a variety of syndromes colloquially referred to as insomnia. This condition negatively affects the mental and physical condition of a person. The body does not get enough time to good rest and restore their reserves. Therefore, timely treatment of insomnia is important. Read about what drugs and medicines, as well as folk remedies, can be used for this in this material. The term "insomnia", so often used even in a medical environment, is erroneous. Even in the presence of the most severe complaints of lack of sleep (“sleepless” - insomnia), patients still sleep. The correct term for sleep disorders (disorders) is insomnia.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder accompanied by the following mandatory criteria: 1. Sleep disturbed for several nights.2. Sleep is disturbed, despite the fact that a person has enough time for sleep, i.e. lack of sleep in intensively working people cannot be considered insomnia.3. As a result of sleep disorders, the patient's habitual “daytime” activity changes: attention decreases, mood worsens, daytime sleepiness appears, etc.

Insomnia - what is it?

I have difficulty falling asleep (presomnic disorders). I often wake up and then cannot fall asleep (intrasomnic disorders). I wake up very early and feel overwhelmed all day (postsomnia). If the patient makes such complaints, then he knows what insomnia is. How sleep disorder manifests itself:

• The desire to sleep that arises passes in bed.
• Painful thoughts and memories come up.
• Motor activity intensifies in an effort to find a comfortable position.
• The coming drowsiness is interrupted by the slightest sound, a shudder.
• Falling asleep is delayed up to 120 minutes or more, while a healthy person falls asleep within 3-10 minutes.
• Frequent nocturnal awakenings various reasons(frightening dreams, fears and nightmares, pain, respiratory disorders, tachycardia, etc.), after which it is difficult to fall asleep.
• Feelings of "superficial" sleep.
• Sleepwalking and sleepwalking.
• Early morning awakening, resulting in decreased performance.
• Feeling "broken" after a long sleep.
• Sleep dissatisfaction.
• Daytime sleepiness with enough sleep.

Treatment of insomnia and sleep disorders

Insomnia is not a disease, but only a syndrome (complex of symptoms), therefore, the treatment of insomnia is based on finding out and eliminating the cause that led to sleep disorders. The first approach to treating insomnia is to eliminate factors (external and internal) that negatively affect the sleep process. For the full treatment of sleep disorders, you must:

• Go to bed and get up at the same time;
• Exclude active mental and physical activity 1 hour before bedtime;
• Avoid a heavy dinner before bedtime, give preference to light food, rich in carbohydrates(dairy products, pastries);
• Eliminate coffee, strong tea, stimulants (containing cola) or alcoholic drinks;
• Provide a comfortable sleeping environment (dark room, no noise, not too soft or hard bed);
• It is recommended to get up in the morning at the same time, regardless of the day of the week;
• Do morning exercises (30 minutes) or walk (40-60 minutes);
• Observe the maximum level of illumination in the room in the morning;
• Exercise regularly (at least 3 times a week for 60-90 minutes). The maximum positive effect on sleep has a load 6 hours before the intended bedtime (about 17-18 hours).

Sleep disorder treatment

The second approach to the treatment of sleep disorders is to actively influence the ability to fall asleep and the structure of sleep itself. This type of therapy is carried out under the guidance of an experienced doctor.

Methods and means of treating insomnia

Psychotherapeutic methods of treating insomnia are aimed at finding and eliminating the cause of the condition that led to the development of insomnia. To achieve the effect, sufficiently long sessions with a psychotherapist are required. Such insomnia treatment methods as light therapy using very bright white light (at least 2000 lux intensity) are used. Light influences the melatonergic systems of the brain, which provide synchronous regulation and are also involved in the regulation of emotions, behavior, and endocrine functions. This method is most effective for insomnia associated with a violation of biological rhythms. Encephalophony ("Music of the Brain") - the patient listens to music obtained on the basis of his electroencephalogram using special methods computer processing, which contributes to a change in the functional state of a person. The method is very efficient.

Sleep disturbance: what to do

If you do not know what to do in case of sleep disturbance and are afraid to take medications, then we recommend that you pay attention to non-traditional methods of treatment. Various variations of reflexology. The algorithm for their application is complex, depending on the concept used and the personality of the reflexologist. The use of various essential oils and their combinations to achieve relaxation is one of the most ancient methods of treating sleep disorders, however, the effectiveness of their use for the treatment of sleep disorders has not been confirmed by evidence-based medicine.

Medications and drugs for insomnia

Medicines for insomnia are divided into herbal and chemical.1. Treatment should begin with herbal sedative over-the-counter drugs. Valerian, motherwort, peony, peppermint, hops and their combinations are popular and effective. These drugs for insomnia do not have side effects. A new direction in the treatment of insomnia is the use of synthetic analogues of the hormone melatonin (Melaxen). Melatonin is produced at night by the pineal gland (pineal gland) and is an internal regulator and stabilizer of the human biological clock function. The melatonin preparation used orally helps to shorten the time to fall asleep and normalizes the sleep-wake rhythm. This cure for insomnia helps to normalize the biological rhythms of the human body.2. If over-the-counter drugs are ineffective, it is necessary to choose the most suitable short-acting drugs (selected by a doctor). An over-the-counter arsenal for a visitor with nervous disorders. Anxiety, difficulty falling asleep and insomnia, anxiety, apathy, lethargy - this is not a complete list of nervous disorders characteristic of a resident of a modern metropolis. Phytotherapeutic agents come to the fore in case of mild anxiety, sleep disorders, depressive states and similar disorders of well-being that reduce the quality of life.

Folk treatment for insomnia

If you want to use folk treatment insomnia, then plants with sedative properties Valerian, rhizome with roots are needed. This treatment for insomnia can be used without consulting a specialist only if you are sure that you are not allergic to herbs. Tincture 1-2 teaspoon 2 times a day. Coated tablets, 1 tablet 2-3 times a day. Features of taking valerian. Valerian has a pronounced effect only in high doses (1-2 teaspoons of tincture per dose). Enhances the effect of hypnotics, narcotic, anticonvulsants. lemon balm herb (in states of nervous excitement). In case of chronic fatigue, plants with mild tonic properties are needed (the so-called "food" adaptogens):

• Lemongrass, fruits.
• Tincture, extract 20-30 drops 30 minutes before meals.
• Infusion (10 g of crushed raw materials per 200 ml of boiling water) 1 tablespoon 2 times a day on an empty stomach Levzeya, rhizome with roots.

Treatment of insomnia with folk remedies

Treatment for insomnia folk remedies can be done with essential oils. Essential oil and how it works:

• They have a psychostimulating effect and improve the response of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems for physical activity.
• In case of asthenia, adaptogens will help. Ginseng, roots.
• Tincture 30-50 drops 2-3 times a day.
• Capsules and tablets are taken with meals at the dose recommended by the manufacturer.
• Eleutherococcus, roots.
• Liquid extract 20-30 drops 30 minutes before meals.
• Tablets 100-200 mg 3 times a day.

Operating principle: Stimulates the central nervous system: increases efficiency and concentration, improves mood. Increase the overall resistance of the body to infections.

Insomnia medications

Insomnia drugs adaptogens are used in two ways. The impact method (high doses, individually selected earlier) is used to quickly increase performance. The course method is based on a gradual increase in the dose as the body gets used to it, but not more than 3-4 times. Adaptogens are recommended to be taken in the morning to avoid difficulty falling asleep. Usually, adaptogens are not recommended for severe hypertension, fever, and acute infections. Adaptogens enhance the effect of psychogenic stimulants (including caffeine). Unlike coffee and tea herbal adaptogens not addictive. Complaints - causeless crying, constant depressed mood. Herbal antidepressants St. John's wort, grass are needed. times a day. Finished preparations: Gelarium Hypericum, Negrustin, Deprim. Operating principle: John's wort flavonoids (hyperoside, bisapigenin, hypericin) can inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Features of the reception. Increases the antidepressant effect of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. It has photosensitizing properties.

Insomnia is a condition in which sleep is disturbed at night. At the same time, a person cannot fall asleep, often wakes up during the night, does not feel rested in the morning, he is tormented by nightmares. People who have a similar problem are concerned about the question "what is the treatment for insomnia".

This condition can be temporary, for example, when falling asleep in an unusual place, with excessive emotional arousal, as a result of taking certain medicines. Drinks such as strong coffee or tea, as well as spicy foods, have a stimulating effect on the body that interferes with a night's rest. If such violations are observed at least three times a week for a month, a diagnosis of insomnia is made. The causes and treatment of such an ailment will help determine the doctor.

A disease that lasts for years exhausts a person. The main causes of this condition are stress, nervous and physical overload.

Chronic insomnia may be accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the heart, gnashing of teeth, trembling of the hands and feet. Sleepwalking may occur. A long-term disease affects the general state of health. A person feels tired in the daytime, irritability, concentration of attention decreases, memory deteriorates. The problem is often seen in older people. This is manifested by early awakenings, after which the person is no longer able to fall asleep.

Insomnia. Causes and treatment

Among the most common reasons, experts identify the following:

• psychological - anxiety, depression, a state of excessive excitement;
• physical - this may be a pathology of the respiratory apparatus, apnea, snoring, overwork, digestive problems, the presence of certain diseases;
• circumstantial - these include noises, harsh sounds, bright lights, sleep disturbances during shift work, etc.

Insomnia with menopause

This phenomenon occurs quite often. Lack of sleep leads to problems with the nervous system, increased pressure, irritability, and heart disease may appear. In the daytime, a woman feels like lying down, and at night she cannot close her eyes. What is the treatment for insomnia in this case? This problem is solved with the help of sedatives and If this condition lasts for a long time, you need to contact a gynecologist-endocrinologist.

Insomnia in the elderly

Older people like to relax in the daytime, and then do not close their eyes at night. This is not insomnia. The elderly should not get carried away watching TV in the evening, milk with honey, a warm bath will help calm down. If a person has a strong nervous system, there should be no problems falling asleep. But after a nervous shock, a heavy dinner, a large amount of liquid drunk, strong tea or coffee, insomnia can be observed. Diseases of some internal organs also often interfere with a normal night's rest.

Insomnia in children

In children under two years old, the nervous system is just being formed, which can be manifested by disturbances in sleep and wakefulness. Babies are most often prevented from falling asleep by colic, wet diapers, hunger, overheating, hypothermia, and fears.

A person who drinks regularly falls asleep easily and quickly at first. Then the body gets used to it, and insomnia occurs. Illness in people who suffer from alcohol addiction not treated at home.

Treatment

First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that caused insomnia. A healthy person can get rid of the problem without the use of drugs. How is insomnia treated if the cause lies in the excessive excitability of the nervous system? In this case, rest, long walks in the fresh air, herbal baths will help. Before going to bed, it is better to refuse food, tea and coffee.

A soothing massage has a positive effect. If the problem is associated with a certain pathology, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.

Traditional treatment

You can fill a small pillowcase with fresh hop cones, sleep on it when insomnia occurs. Helps even in the most difficult cases.

Valerian officinalis

Use a decoction, infusion or alcohol To prepare an infusion, valerian root (1 tbsp.) Is poured with boiled cold water (1 tbsp.). You need to insist for six to eight hours, strain. Adults take 1 tbsp. l., children - 1 tsp. three times a day.

To prepare a decoction, the crushed root (1 tablespoon) is poured with a glass of boiling water, boiled over low heat for a quarter of an hour. The broth is filtered, taken three times a day. Adults one tablespoon, children - one teaspoon.

Alcohol tincture is purchased at a pharmacy. Take according to the instructions.

Honey

Honey is the most harmless sleeping pill. Before going to bed, you need to drink a glass of warm water or milk with a tablespoon of honey dissolved in it. This tool calms, promotes sound sleep, has a positive effect on the work of the intestines.

herbal baths

Baths with herbs have a calming effect and help normalize sleep. Take them before going to bed for 15-20 minutes.

Recipe 1. To prepare such a bath, motherwort (5 tsp), mint (4 tsp), chamomile flowers are taken. Herbs are crushed, mixed and poured with boiling water (2.5 liters). Insist at least six hours. Before going to bed, fill the bath with warm water, add infusion.

Recipe 2. You will need herbs - oregano, mint, motherwort in half a glass, 5-6 hop cones. Herbs must be mixed, pour 4 liters of boiling water, wrap and insist for an hour. Strained infusion is added to bath water. The course of treatment is 14 days.

Music therapy

Scientists have studied the influence of music on the physical and psycho-emotional state of a person. It can help increase or decrease pressure, relieve muscle tension, activate memory and thought processes. Specially selected melodies can relieve neurosis, help you calm down and have a good rest at night.

Light music from insomnia soothes and prepares the body for sleep. If you use music therapy daily, the body will develop conditioned reflex"music - falling asleep."

To get rid of such a problem as night insomnia, you must adhere to some rules:

Limit or eliminate the use of foods high in caffeine and other stimulants: coffee, teas (green and black), energy and alcoholic drinks, chocolate, hot spices;

Unlearn the habit of falling asleep while reading a book or with the TV on;

Do not load the stomach in the evening. The last meal should take place 2-3 hours before bedtime;

Fall asleep in darkness and silence, the air in the room should be fresh and cool;

Take care of convenience: the bed should be moderately hard, even;

In the evening it is useful to take a walk, take a warm shower or bath;

Do not sleep during the day;

Observe the regime of the day;

Falling asleep, get rid of thoughts about problems and troubles.

They end in a bad mood and drowsiness throughout the day. People are forced to resort to sleeping pills to get enough sleep. The pharmaceutical industry produces various drugs for insomnia. Some of them not only normalize sleep, but have many side effects that harm the body - addiction, impaired attention, severe psycho-emotional disorders. Therefore, with symptoms of insomnia, do not rush to the pharmacy for sleeping pills. Consult with a specialist who will help you choose a drug that promotes normal sleep in each specific situation. The fight against insomnia will be effective if you establish the causes of its occurrence and choose the right therapy.

Medicines for insomnia differ in therapeutic activity, but they work according to the same principle - they inhibit brain activity, relieve nervous and muscle tension. The duration of action of drugs depends on the rate of their excretion and the degree of influence on the functions of the central nervous system.

Short-acting sleeping pills eliminate difficulties in falling asleep, do not violate the duration and ratio of sleep phases. Means of medium duration of action relieve excitation and increase inhibition. The effect lasts longer, which improves falling asleep and sleep quality. Long-acting drugs help with poor falling asleep, shallow sleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings.

All sleeping pills differ in chemical composition and affect the CNS in different ways.

Types of drugs for the treatment of sleep disorders

Barbiturates (Phenobarbital, Reladorm) are effective for severe insomnia, but cause drowsiness, lethargy, post-sleep irritation, headache, and muscle pain. With prolonged use, mental and physical dependence develops. Barbiturates shorten REM sleep cycles, which are important for nervous system recovery. Barbituric acid derivatives are available by prescription only.

Means against insomnia from the group of tranquilizers (Phenazepam, Nitrazepam, Sibazon, Midazolam) have low toxicity, do not give pronounced aftereffects, and are less likely to be addictive. Especially effective for insomnia caused by anxiety, emotional stress.

Insomnia medications containing melatonin (Melaxen, Circadin, Melarena) do not disrupt the physiological structure of sleep, speed up falling asleep, and reduce the number of nocturnal awakenings. In the morning they do not cause a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness, they have a positive effect on the emotional sphere.

Medicines for insomnia group Z have virtually no side effects, do not cause post-somnia disorders. After waking up, a person does not feel discomfort. The drugs differ in duration of action. With difficulty falling asleep, Adante is prescribed. Ivadal, Zolpidem acts 5-6 hours. Long-acting sleeping pill Zopiclone supports sleep throughout the night without changing its structure. In patients with nocturnal manifestations of bronchial asthma, the duration of attacks is reduced. After prolonged use of group Z drugs, addiction may occur.

Antihistamines of the first generation (Diphenhydramine, Diprazine) have a slight sedative effect, are quickly excreted from the gastrointestinal tract.

The doctor should choose the drug for the treatment of insomnia. Uncontrolled use of hypnotics can form addiction, increase excitability instead of the expected hypnotic effect, cause muscle weakness, withdrawal symptoms, impair attention and memory.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills

Depending on the composition of the drug are divided into three groups.

• Vegetable (Persen, Motherwort Forte).
  Substances contained in plants normalize sleep, improve mood, strengthen the psyche, relieve anxiety, and calm the nervous system. Herbal preparations against insomnia are non-toxic, act gently, can be taken for a long time, have minimal amount contraindications. Means of plant origin are effective for mild violations of the physiological process, for the prevention of insomnia during stress of various nature. With severe insomnia, they are used only as additional therapy.
• Synthetic (Melaxen, Reslip, Phenibut).
  Medicines improve sleep, are suitable for all age groups, do not affect psychomotor functions, and have minor side effects.
• Combined (Barboval, Corvalol).
  The products contain plant extracts and active medicinal ingredients. All substances reinforce each other's actions. Due to this, a quick hypnotic effect is achieved. Medicines of this group are indicated for minor sleep disorders and neurotic disorders, relieve irritability and make it easier to fall asleep.
• Homeopathic (Hypnosed, Note, Passidorm).
  Harmless not addictive preparations contain a balanced set of components that eliminate fear, anxiety, problems when falling asleep. Homeopathic remedies do not violate the biochemical processes in the body, direct reserve forces to combat the causes of insomnia, and are not accompanied by aftereffect symptoms. For a stable and lasting effect, long-term use of homeopathic remedies is recommended.

Which sleeping pill to choose

Without a prescription, you can buy drugs that moderately affect the nervous system. They normalize sleep, heart rate, reduce nervous excitement. Effective remedy for insomnia does not have to be potent. With the right selection, even a light sleeping pill will give a positive result.

List of the most popular drugs for insomnia.

• Melaxen.
  The synthesized analog of the pineal gland hormone (melatonin) is suitable for independent use for insomnia in people of different age groups. Tablets normalize the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness, make it easier to fall asleep, do not cause a feeling of lethargy upon awakening. The drug helps the body adapt when working at night and. In rare cases, swelling, headache, nausea occur. Melaxen is used to normalize the biological rhythm, promotes rapid falling asleep and easy morning awakening.
• Persen.
  Relieves irritability, anxiety, eliminates depression, promotes concentration. Part sedative for insomnia, extracts of lemon balm, mint and valerian roots are included. The components facilitate falling asleep by enhancing inhibitory processes in the central nervous system. Persen is recommended for prolonged falling asleep and frequent awakenings caused by stressful situations, overwork.
• Donormil.
  Effervescent tablets have a pronounced sedative effect, make it possible to fall asleep quickly, increase the duration of a night's rest. May cause palpitations daytime sleepiness, dry mouth. Donormil does not affect the activity of the brain.
• Glycine.
  Sublingual tablets reduce the excitation of the central nervous system, improve metabolism in brain tissues, increase mental performance, and normalize sleep. Glycine is recommended for people with emotional instability, high excitability.
• Valoserdin.
  Due to the content of phenobarbital, it reduces the excitation of the central nervous system. Drops from insomnia provide a mild hypnotic effect, are prescribed for sleep disorders, neurosis-like conditions, cerebrovascular accidents. With prolonged use, drug dependence and depression may occur.
• Atarax.
  Removes anxiety, psychomotor agitation, relaxes smooth muscles, increases the duration and depth of sleep. At the beginning of treatment, drowsiness and general weakness may occur.
• Phenibut.
  It has a positive effect on the activity of the brain, reduces the severity of complications after traumatic brain injury, increases the resistance of the brain to high loads. Phenibut relieves anxiety, reduces emotional stress, improves the quality of a night's rest. It is prescribed for insomnia of neurotic origin of nature.
• Corvalol.
  It has a sedative effect, relieves spasms in the intestines, dilates blood vessels, makes it easier to fall asleep. It is well tolerated, but with prolonged use or overdose causes CNS depression. Experts recommend drinking drops for irritability and mild insomnia.
• Valerian.
  A herbal remedy with a sedative effect is used for nervous excitability, difficulty falling asleep caused by overexcitation, stress. In rare cases, provokes a depressed state.

New

New generation drugs help to cope with stress, improve the quality of sleep, and eliminate the causes of insomnia. They are quickly excreted from the body, so there are no aftereffect symptoms in the morning. The newer insomnia drugs are safer because they only work on brain receptors responsible for sleep.

• Sonilux.
  The composition of the drops includes natural components of plant origin, which quickly enter the bloodstream and improve the psycho-emotional state. The remedy for insomnia, Sonilyuks, normalizes sleep and eliminates the causes of its disturbance, restores the heart rhythm and the functioning of the endocrine system.
• Somnol.
  The action of the drug is aimed at improving the quality and duration of night rest. With long-term treatment, the risk of dependence is not excluded. It is prescribed for patients with situational, transient, chronic forms of insomnia.
• Rosem.
  Recommended for insomnia associated with prolonged falling asleep, promotes sound sleep. The medicine for insomnia Rozerm does not cause side effects and dependence.
• Sonata.
  It is prescribed for difficult falling asleep, frequent awakenings, transient stance and. The drug does not change the ratio of fast and slow sleep. Does not affect daytime well-being and performance.

Vitamin complexes for insomnia

When a person finds himself in a stressful situation, the need for B vitamins increases many times over. Deficiency is formed with gastritis, taking certain hormonal drugs, pregnancy, physical exertion, and malnutrition. Insomnia can be provoked by a lack of serotonin, in the synthesis of which pyridoxine (B6) is involved.

Fatigue, drowsiness, depression, irritability, sleep problems appear. Vitamins of groups B, A, E and trace elements potassium, magnesium, calcium will help get rid of insomnia.

• Mega B Complex, consisting of 10 vitamins and 7 minerals;
• Sleep Optimizer, a complex of amino acids, plant extracts, melatonin, tryptophan;
• ALPHABET biorhythm containing folic acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamins C, A, B, extracts of lemon balm, motherwort;
• Yantifan, which contains L-tryptophan, succinic acid, vitamin B6.

Vitamin preparations reduce the excitability of the nervous system, contribute to a good night's rest.

The multitude of medicines and vitamins is confusing: "How to choose the best remedy for insomnia from all the variety?" For an answer, contact the specialists in the district clinics or specialized centers. Uncontrolled use of sleeping pills can complicate the situation. The sleep department will tell you how to get rid of insomnia without drugs with the help of,. Special clinics use non-drug methods to eliminate insomnia (electrosleep, relaxation therapy).

List of used literature:

• Levin Ya. I., Kovrov G. V. Some modern approaches to the treatment of insomnia // The attending physician. - 2003. - No. 4.
• Kotova O. V., Ryabokon I. V. Modern aspects of insomnia therapy // Attending physician. - 2013. - No. 5.
• T. I. Ivanova, Z. A. Kirillova, L. Ya. Rabichev. Insomnia (treatment and prevention). - M.: Medgiz, 1960.