What is insomnia
Insomnia, or in medical language - insomnia, is considered to be any deviation from normal sleep. Frequent awakenings in the middle of the night, prolonged (up to several hours) falling asleep and difficult awakenings, prolonged absence of sleep at night, shallow sleep - all this is considered to be manifestations of insomnia. Everyone has had periods in their life when they experienced the effects of insomnia on themselves. She especially likes to come before an important event, on the eve of a celebration or exam, when a person is making an important decision in life, to young mothers who hear the slightest rustle of the baby.
More often than not, insomnia is a byproduct of our nervous system, which is known to be unstable, especially in today's pace and lifestyle. The disease can have several types of manifestation.
Presomnia type of disorder
Characterized by prolonged falling asleep. At this time, a person experiences a physical need for rest, feels the desire to fall asleep, but cannot do this. The norm for falling asleep is 5-15 minutes. If after this time sleep has not occurred, we can talk about manifestations of insomnia. This is usually associated with neuropsychological disorders and occurs on the eve of exciting events or after important events. It occurs very often and usually goes away on its own as the emotional state improves.
Intrasomnic disorders
With this type of insomnia, sudden awakenings at night occur, followed by difficulty falling asleep or a complete lack of further sleep. This type of disorder makes sleep superficial, reminiscent of a normal nap and sensitive, when the sleeper is able to wake up from the slightest rustle. Insomnia in this case is caused by emotional swings, experiencing unpleasant events, mental disorders, sleep apnea and self-snoring, systemic diseases (thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus).
Postsomnia disorders
This type is even more common than the first. Its main symptom is a lack of strength and desire to open your eyes, a long awakening, weakness and fatigue even after a whole night of restful sleep. A person suffering from this type of insomnia feels drowsy throughout the day and fails when trying to replenish energy and fall asleep. In addition to psychological reasons, in this case there may be a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, late going to bed, blues and emotional stress. Usually, with this disorder, a person easily falls asleep and sleeps soundly at night, but waking up in the morning causes negative emotions and physical impotence.
But before diagnosing insomnia, it is worth assessing your habits, current state of affairs, and emotional state. Often the reason may lie on the surface.
Causes of insomnia
Psycho-social stress. For example, this happens due to excessive anxiety about money and work, illness of children and loved ones. When crises happen in your personal life and you conduct an internal dialogue, bringing to perfection what you haven’t done in reality.
Depression
of a different nature, a state of blues and anxiety;
Increased brain activity
and emotional overarousal, both positive and negative. This often happens during sessions, before and after important business meetings, before trips and vacations, during periods of intense activity and multitasking. elderly age;
Discomfort
both mental and physical, the influence of extraneous sounds, light, noise. Darkness is one of the main conditions under which the sleep hormone melatonin is produced in sufficient quantities. The slightest lighting, watching TV or a phone monitor before bed can affect the quality of melatonin production and disrupt sleep. Often the cause of poor sleep can be discomfort caused by bedding - an uncomfortable pillow, too hard, too soft, uneven mattress. In this case, solving the problem becomes less problematic;
Non-compliance with the regime
day and biorhythms. For example, a shift work schedule, frequent time zone changes. This often happens with simple night owls, the so-called “night owls,” whose peak activity occurs in the afternoon and evening. It is difficult for them to go to bed on time, it is difficult for them to fall asleep and wake up at the appointed early hour, because a lot of time, energy and effort have been spent trying to sleep;
Alcohol
and caffeinated drinks. They also cause sleep disturbances. Especially if drinking such drinks happened in the evening. Needless to say how harmful they are for healthy sleep. Alcohol is wrongly considered by some to be a sedative and hypnotic. While it may actually make it easier to fall asleep, the quality of your sleep will suffer significantly. And all because alcohol inhibits the REM sleep phase. The same one during which the body’s strength is restored, when we dream and our brain organizes the information received. In addition, alcohol and caffeine can put a strain on the cardiovascular system, provoke snoring and sleep apnea, which act like a time bomb on the body, provoking both mental and functional disorders;
Apnea
- breathing disorders that can occur under the influence of substances, or due to the structural features of the nasopharynx, when obstacles appear in the air path in the form of a sticky palate and uvula, a deviated nasal septum, adenoids, cysts, allergies or a runny nose.
Taking medications (sympathomimetics, anorectics), drugs. Carefully read the instructions for any medications you take. One of the side effects may be increased excitability. It is for this reason that drugs such as echinacea, ginseng and many other adaptogens are not recommended to be taken in the afternoon, but rather from morning until lunch. Diseases and disorders.
Infectious and colds, fever, itchy skin and pain of various locations and origins;
Endocrine diseases
accompanied by hypoglycemia, frequent urination, dry mouth. Do you drink a glass of water before bed? Do you wake up to drink or from feeling hungry? It's time to change something;
Neurological diseases
such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, neuroses or schizophrenia.
NOVO-PASSIT (solution)
pinched nerve in this area.
In order to somehow calm down during the so-called attack of fear, the attending physician advised me to take antidepressants for some time. The doctor wrote me several medications to choose from - one of them, it turned out, was probably a well-known sedative called Novo-Passit.
I won’t delay and show you what the top cardboard packaging of the main culprit of my review today looks like - a soothing agent from Teva:
Upon closer examination of the packaging from all sides, you can see some basic information from the manufacturer about this medicinal product:
● the main components that make up the sedative and, in fact, their properties:
● storage method and other information:
The production date and expiration date can be found at the top of the package:
And now, we open our packaging and see this bottle of quite impressive size, made of durable, tinted glass:
The information on the paper sticker located in the central part of the bottle is completely similar to the information on the cardboard packaging, so I see no point in dwelling on it. At the top of the bottle there is a simple screw cap, which reliably protects the medicine from accidental leakage and other unfavorable factors.
Next, let's take a closer look at the main properties of Novo-Passit.
The drug is an oral solution that has a slightly thick, viscous consistency. The color of the drug is quite dark. You can clearly see all of the above by looking at the following photo:
Novo-Passit has a rather sharp, specific odor due to the medicinal herbs included in the product. Also, it is worth noting that the sedative has, to put it mildly, a not very pleasant taste, due to which, for me personally, taking this medicine without water was simply impossible.
And now about the most important thing. I took Novo-Passit every day for almost two months. Immediately after the first use, I noticed that the medicine was very calming and the anxiety went away.
After two months, I practically forgot about the symptoms of vegetative-vascular distance. It is also worth noting that this sedative did not cause addiction to me, which is undoubtedly a huge plus. Now Novo-Passit is the number 1 remedy in my home medicine cabinet, which I take in any stressful situations.
With this, I will end my review today!
To summarize all of the above, I can only say that Novo-Passit, in my opinion, turned out to be quite an effective remedy that perfectly calms “shaky” nerves, therefore, I advise you, my dear friends, to draw your attention to this soothing . But, before use, I still recommend consulting with your doctor!
Have a nice day everyone, and most importantly - calm, only calm!) Thank you for your attention and see you soon!
Consequences of insomnia
Before taking action, it is important to assess the scale of the disaster. Lack of quality sleep and the slightest disturbance lasting from a week to 10 days is not a reason to panic. The episodic nature of disorders of varying sleep duration occurs in everyone. But serious disorders that torment for months become chronic and have consequences.
- Problems concentrating,
- Difficulties with remembering and learning,
- Decreased performance
- Apathy or obsessiveness
- Development of depressive states
- Loss of interest in life
- Irritability and aggression
- Manifestation of somatic diseases
- Chronic fatigue
- Arterial pressure
- Headache
- Disorders of the cardiovascular system
- Excess weight
- Edema
- Deterioration in skin quality and overall appearance
And this is only a small part of the consequences of insomnia, which can be avoided by starting insomnia therapy or its prevention in time. The best remedies for insomnia
The best remedies for insomnia
Medicines
Melaxen
A synthetic analogue of the hormone melatonin, responsible for sleep. The drug quickly normalizes and correctly regulates biorhythms. Increases the depth and quality of sleep, eliminates periodic night awakenings. After a night with Melaxen, the feeling of weakness disappears, lethargy and fatigue disappear, dreams become bright and rich. Also suitable as an adaptogen when changing time zones. Reduces negative reactions to stress. Does not cause dependence or addiction.
Recommended course as a sleeping pill: 1 tablet 1 time per day before bedtime. As an adaptogen: the day before the expected departure and for 2-3 days after changing the time zone before bed.
Mälarena
The drug is an analogue of Melaxen. Also indicated for circadian rhythm disorders: flights with changes in time zones, violation of the daily routine, including shift work schedule. Helps eliminate weather dependence syndrome, fatigue, insomnia in older people, and reduces depressive syndrome.
Recommended course: For insomnia and sleep disorders, 1 tablet once a day, 30 minutes before bedtime. The duration of taking the drug is from 1.5 to 2 months. When changing time zones the day before departure and for 2-5 days after, 1 tablet 1 time per day before bed.
Melarithm
The effect on the body is similar to previous drugs. Normalizes circadian rhythms; Makes sleep deep and of high quality, eliminates night awakenings and promotes rapid fall asleep. But in addition to regulating sleep, melarhythm helps improve well-being, mood, and eliminates lethargy and morning drowsiness. It has a pronounced immunostimulating and antioxidant effect.
Recommended course: 1.5–3 mg 30 minutes before bedtime, 1 time per day. Duration of admission is no more than 7 days.
Herbal preparations
Nervochel
A homeopathic medicine designed to reduce increased nervous excitability and normalize sleep. Used for neuroses and menopause in women. Eliminates symptoms of depression and blues, VSD.
Recommended course: 2-3 weeks,
dissolve 1 tablet under the tongue 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after meals.
Motherwort forte Evalar
Motherwort has a pronounced calming effect, strengthens the nerves, and puts the cardiovascular system in order. The advantage of the drug is that it additionally contains magnesium, and as is known, this microelement plays a key role in the functioning of the nervous system and eliminates muscle excitability. In combination with vitamin B6, which is the main link in the functioning of the nervous system, magnesium is better absorbed by the body. The drug performs a complex effect - it normalizes the emotional state, relieving anxiety and aggression, and at the same time improves sleep.
Recommended course: 3-4 times a day, 1 tablet for 3-6 weeks.
Novo-passit
Completely herbal preparation. Recommended for neurasthenia, increased anxiety, emotional instability, aggressiveness and irritation. Helps overcome fears, eliminate distraction and fatigue. Helps cope with headaches and mild forms of insomnia and periodic sleep disorders associated with psychological tension and stress. The advantage is that it is acceptable for children over 12 years of age.
Recommended course: 5 ml 3 times a day before meals with the prospect of increasing the dose to 10 ml per dose. If severe fatigue or depression occurs, it is necessary to reduce the morning and daily dose by 2 times and take 2.5 ml in the morning and afternoon and 5 ml in the evening. The interval between doses of the medicine should be 4-6 hours.
Knightwell
An excellent and effective drug, with many positive reviews. The herbal composition is enhanced with Magnesium and vitamin B6. Includes mechanisms that are responsible for maintaining normal sleep and deep sleep. Waking up in the morning becomes comfortable, light, without feeling groggy and tired. In addition, Nightwell promotes better concentration, memory and performance, because Magnesium in combination with vitamin B6 has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
Recommended course: just 1 capsule before bedtime. Duration of treatment is 3 weeks.
Novo-Passit
Novo-passit is a combined sedative drug based on medicinal plant raw materials. It contains 7 plant extracts and the pharmacologically active substance guaifenesin, synthesized from the natural compound guaiacol. In order to get a complete understanding of novo-passit, it makes sense to refer to the description of each of its components. Valerian officinalis has long been known as a mild sedative used for insomnia, headaches and neurological heart pain and excessive nervous tension. It also has a moderate antispasmodic effect. Melissa officinalis, like valerian, has a sedative and antispasmodic effect and in addition to this it has an antibacterial and antiviral effect. St. John's wort is a natural antidepressant that also has a restorative, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect. Used for insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders. Hawthorn monopistillate (also called prickly) is a hypotonic used for coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and various functional disorders of the heart. Has a mild sedative effect. Passionflower incarnate or passionflower is used mostly in neurology for the treatment of somnological disorders in neurotic patients. Helps with irritability, phobias, difficulty falling asleep, asthenia. Common hops, no matter how much it goes against its name, has a calming effect.
It also has analgesic, antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties. It increases diuresis and helps with menopause. Black elderberry is a sedative, analgesic and antipyretic agent that is used for colds. As for the only non-natural component of novo-passit, guaifenesin, it has an anxiolytic effect, in other words, it suppresses anxiety states.
Novo-passit is available in two dosage forms: tablets and oral solution. Adults and children over 12 years of age should take this natural elixir three times a day: 1 teaspoon of solution (5 ml) or 1 tablet. Depending on the patient’s response to this natural cocktail, its dose is adjusted. Novo-passit can be taken with juice or tea. If the urge to vomit occurs, it is recommended to take the drug with food. If you do not abuse Novo-Passit and do not go beyond the maximum recommended doses, then the drug can be taken during the day, because in this case, it will not cause feelings of drowsiness and loss of concentration. Children under 12 years of age can use Novo-Passit only under medical supervision. The dose should be selected by a specialist, taking into account the patient’s age and individual tolerance to the drug. For such patients, the initial dose is ½ tablet or ½ teaspoon once a day before going to bed.
How to get rid of insomnia
Any changes in life require time and effort. Internal effort and a real desire to change the situation for the better. To get rid of insomnia, you will have to reconsider your lifestyle, first of all, paying special attention to four pillars:
- Sleep hygiene.
This is not only water procedures and ritual teeth cleaning. Sleep hygiene is a broad concept. Stop eating and drinking at least 3 hours before bedtime; in the evening, try to use dim lighting; Avoid reading books, scrolling through social media feeds immediately before bed, and do not fall asleep with the TV on; At night, turn off electrical appliances in the bedroom, if any, turn off the sound and Internet on your smartphone; - Control of emotions.
Nerves are the main cause of all human troubles and joys. Like any instrument, nerves need tuning, prevention, cleaning and strengthening. It is important not only to make daily efforts to maintain your emotional state, but also to regularly support the nervous system with vitamins. Moreover, change your attitude towards yourself by starting to observe sleep hygiene - go to bed early, ventilate the bedroom, learn how to relax before bed, so that internal dialogues do not arise in your head as a consequence of the day. - Diet.
We are what we eat. The statement is absolutely true in matters of combating insomnia. Fatty, spicy, salty foods, fast food and abuse of sugar, sweet and alcoholic drinks can have such a strong impact on the body that insomnia very quickly comes to such belly celebrations. It is better to include pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, spinach, cottage cheese in your diet - such food contains amino acids and microelements that have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, and therefore on the quality of sleep. - Taking care of your health.
Physical activity, sports and general activity help the body to be in good shape, which means maintaining the level of serotonin and endorphins in sufficient quantities so that the nervous system feels good. This means your sleep will be of high quality, calm and complete. But, doing physical exercise before bed is not the best idea, because at this moment the nervous system comes into a state of excitement. In the evening, breathing practices and yoga are best.
Dosage
The syrup is taken 5 ml three times a day. The interval between doses should be at least four hours. If indicated, the dose can be increased to 10 ml. With the expected mental and emotional stress, 5-10 ml once in half an hour. The drug can be mixed with drinks (juice, tea), except grapefruit juice.
The tablets are taken three times a day, one tablet at a time. If necessary, a single dose can be increased to two tablets or reduced to half a tablet in the morning and afternoon, and a whole tablet at night.
