Tablets to improve sleep without prescription. Topical sleeping pills for the treatment of insomnia
When a person is impaired normal sleep, the quality of life is significantly reduced. Indicators are getting worse physical health, mental activity, constant feeling Fatigue and weakness prevents you from concentrating normally. To find the problem that is causing your sleep disorder, you need to see a doctor. However, it is not always possible to go to clinics, so people are looking for sleeping pills without prescriptions that will help quickly improve their condition.
Feasibility of application
Buying sleeping pills at the pharmacy without a prescription for sound sleep will not be a problem. However powerful tools, such as tranquilizers, barbiturates, neuroliptic drugs and antidepressants are available only with a prescription after consultation with a doctor. They have a lot of contraindications and have a very strong effect on the nervous system and can cause irreversible changes in brain activity. The patient takes such medications only after he agrees with all the risks that may arise as a result of the therapy.
Unlike tranquilizers and other potent drugs, over-the-counter sleeping pills are sold freely in pharmacies. They are not available in the form of injections, as they are intended for home use.
Most often they sell regular or water-soluble tablets, there are also mixtures and tinctures, but you won’t find injections.
Even the most powerful over-the-counter sleeping pill causes minimal side effects, and the drugs also have the following advantages:
- can be used in cycles or once;
- are not addictive;
- have sedative properties;
- improve falling asleep;
- have a positive effect on sleep duration;
- generally do not affect sleep phases;
- have a minimum of contraindications.
TOP 3 remedies for insomnia
"Sonylux"
The drug is a development of Russian scientists. This is a new generation product that consists of completely natural, environmentally friendly ingredients. "Sonylux" does not contain chemical substances, therefore suitable for use by children aged 2 years and older.
In just 1 course of use, your sleep will completely normalize, feelings of anxiety and aggression will disappear, falling asleep will speed up, and chronic fatigue will disappear.
Active components of the product:
- Gaba Alishan - is responsible for the utilization of glucose in the blood, improves blood circulation, strengthens memory, normalizes activity nervous system, eliminates insomnia.
- Lofant is a plant with bactericidal and general strengthening properties, normalizes blood pressure, slows down aging, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system.
- Beaver stream is an antispasmodic and sedative that is used in the treatment of diseases of the nervous and of cardio-vascular system.
- A collection of 32 herbs has a calming effect on the unequal system, helps to completely relax, eliminates neuroses and anxiety.
DreamZzz
- falling asleep will speed up, sleep will become deeper and more complete;
- the nervous system will be strengthened, its functioning will be stabilized;
- the cardiovascular system will be protected from ischemic stroke;
- the risk of cardiovascular disorders will decrease.
Restox
The product consists of 100% natural ingredients, it will effectively and safely relieve you and your loved ones from sleep problems.
The drug is based on a unique development of the American chemist Thomas Wilkinson. He invented an elixir that eliminated his wife's snoring, but the formula was lost during World War II. Modern Russian scientists have only now been able to find and decipher the scientist’s archive.
Restox has the following properties:
- snoring is completely eliminated due to the influence of agave;
- night awakenings are eliminated thanks to aralia extract;
- marshmallow extract prevents sleep apnea;
- Eleutherococcus extract allows you to sleep in any position and not snore.
Potent drugs
Sleeping pills medications without prescriptions, the list of which is quite large, can have a strong, medium and weak effect. The most powerful effects are those that have a complex effect: they speed up falling asleep, make sleep deeper and longer.
Active ingredient: melatonin is an analogue of the natural sleep hormone that is produced in the human body.
Mechanism of action: replenishes the lack of melatonin, controls the body’s biological rhythms, has a positive effect on the process of falling asleep, calms the nervous system.
Advantages: the most powerful sleeping pill without prescriptions, experiments have proven that the drug induces physiological sleep; after removal from the body, it does not affect the phases of sleep and does not change its structure. The product is not addictive and does not have any negative influence upon awakening, after which there is no inhibition of reaction, fatigue and the like side effects. Use is compatible with driving and driving complex mechanisms.
Directions for use: potent sleeping pills without prescriptions are initially prescribed in a minimal dosage. Every day after dinner, 1-2 hours before a night's rest, you need to take 3 mg of the drug. However, the dosage can be increased by the doctor if the desired result is not observed. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
Disadvantages: may cause allergies and swelling, contraindicated for children, people with autoimmune diseases and impaired liver function.
- "Donormil" (analogous to "Somnil").
Active ingredient: doxylamine succinate.
Mechanism of action: sleeping pills fast acting which speeds up falling asleep. Blocks H1 histamine receptors, but is not used to eliminate allergic reactions, but to combat insomnia. Suitable for one-time use, it helps to increase the quality and duration of sleep in case of nervous strain and severe fatigue.
Benefits: strong sleeping pills sold without a prescription, gives quick results, easy to use, as it is available in the form of effervescent tablets.
Directions for use: the minimum dosage of the drug is half a tablet; it must be dissolved in half a glass of cold water and taken before bed. It is possible to increase the single dose to 2 tablets, the course of treatment lasts no more than 2 weeks with Donormil and no more than 2 months with Somnil.
Disadvantages: causes dry mouth, difficulty waking up, daytime sleepiness, not suitable for use by people who work with complex machinery or drive a car, contraindicated for sleep apnea(temporary cessation of breathing during sleep), prostatitis, impaired functioning of the liver and kidneys. Children under 15 years of age, pregnant and lactating women are completely contraindicated.
Natural remedies
Over-the-counter, non-addictive sleeping pills can be made from herbs. The products are non-addictive, have minimal side effects, are cheap and easy to use. However, you need to be careful, as biologically active plant components can cause allergies.
Let's look at what sleeping pills can be purchased freely in pharmacies.
Combined products
Combined drugs are sleeping pills that contain several active ingredients. They can be natural and chemical, therefore the use of these medications is taken very seriously; some substances in them are strong allergens. Let's look at over-the-counter and effective medications.
| Name | Compound | Mechanism of action | Advantages | Flaws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Novo-Passit" | A good herbal sleeping pill consisting of valerian, lemon balm, elderberry, oldflower, St. John's wort, hawthorn, hops and guaifenzin. | Calms the nervous system, has pronounced sedative properties, in addition, eliminates anxiety, improves the quality of sleep and increases its duration. | It is not addictive, is available in an easy-to-use form - tablets and syrup, suitable for systematic and one-time use. | May cause depression, drowsiness, nausea and weakness, especially if the recommended dose is exceeded; it is not used to treat children with myasthenia gravis and chronic alcoholism. |
| "Persen" | It is made on the basis of valerian, mint and lemon balm. | Relieves nervous excitability and calms, has mild antispasmodic properties. | Accelerates falling asleep during nervous overstrain or sudden change emotional background. A special form of “Persen Night” is produced - it does not cause drowsiness during the day. | It is produced exclusively in the form of tablets, the effect of which comes more slowly than from drugs in liquid form. Not suitable for use by children under 12 years of age or people with biliary tract diseases. Overdose or too long use can lead to constipation. |
| "Phytosedan No. 2" and "Phytosedan No. 2" | Herbal infusions, the basis of which are: oregano, sweet clover, valerian, motherwort and thyme. | They are distinguished by their softness and natural mechanism of action on the body, helping to improve physiological sleep, have an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. | Herbal compositions do not have a negative impact on health, they are completely natural, easy to use - they come in the form of filters that need to be brewed with boiling water. | It will take 15 minutes to prepare the tea; this is exactly how long it will infuse; a fresh drink has the best effect; it is not recommended to store it for a long time. |
| "Corvalol" (analogue of "Valocardin") | Valerian, mint and phenobarbital. | Relieves spasms in the soft muscles of internal organs, is effective for neurotic conditions and sleep disorders, speeds up falling asleep and relaxes. | The only phenobarbital products available without a prescription. They give the desired effect after the first dose. | In some countries, the drugs are prohibited; their more expensive analogue, Valocardin, is used. The products have a very pungent specific odor and should not be used during lactation. |
Homeopathy for insomnia
Homeopathic remedies are aimed at comprehensively solving problems with night rest. It is very convenient to use sleeping pills at home, it is not addictive and has a minimum of contraindications.
A distinctive feature of these drugs is that they do not lead to daytime lethargy, do not cause problems with waking up and do not affect the level of concentration or alertness. They are prescribed in individual dosages, taking into account all the characteristics of the patient’s body.
The most popular medications:
- "Hypnosed" Used to eliminate insomnia, relieve irritability, treat migraines and neurasthenia. Has minimal side effects.
- "Passidorm". Indicated for problems falling asleep and regular night awakenings. Not used to treat pregnant women and people who abuse alcoholic beverages.
- "Calm down." Used to treat insomnia caused by nervous overexcitation. It has a sedative effect, relaxes the central nervous system and promotes sound, quality sleep.
Let's sum it up
You can buy a good sleeping pill without a prescription at any pharmacy. Despite the fact that the drugs are considered safe for health and have a minimum of contraindications, you should consult a doctor before using them.
Some medications can be taken once, and there are also medications with a cumulative effect that require regular use.
Before treatment, be sure to make sure that you do not have personal intolerance to the components included in the composition.
Possibility of short but great mental, mental and physical efforts - important condition victory and a feeling of fullness of life. In order to spend regularly, resources must be regularly replenished. The main replenishment of resources occurs during sleep. The quality of life depends on the balance of spending and saving:
- If vitality steadily decrease, a feeling of anxiety arises, depression and reluctance to do anything develop.
- If vitality steadily increases, calmness sets in, joy, optimism, and a thirst for activity appear.
It is very important that during sleep the body can restore resources no less than it spent during the day, or even better, a little more, then vitality will increase. However, this doesn't happen every night. Chronically poor sleep can lead to depletion of vitality.
Sonnat tablets
Sonnat is a tablet drug of the third generation of hypnotics. The medicine has a pronounced hypnotic effect, but at the same time does not cause post-somatic disorders. Thanks to a well-calibrated ratio of components, it reduces the period of falling asleep and helps to increase the duration...
Melaxen tablets
Melaxen is modern medical medicine to normalize sleep. Produced in tablet form. When consumed, they are absorbed in full and quickly and are eliminated painlessly. The medicine is guaranteed good dream And feeling great in the morning, improves resistance to...
Sleep formula tablets
Sleep Formula tablets are a natural remedy from the group of dietary supplements, made using dry extracts of medicinal herbs and vitamins. Produced by Evalar (Biysk, Russia). Its action is aimed at achieving full, quality sleep and facilitating the process...
Phenazepam tablets
Phenazepam tablets are a tranquilizer that exhibits active hypnotic, anxiolytic (reduction of emotional stress, anxiety, fear) and anticonvulsant effects. The drug is available in the form white flat-cylindrical tablets with a score and a chamfer, active ingredient...
Donormil tablets
Donormil tablets are a sleeping pill, presented in the form of rectangular white tablets, placed by the manufacturer in polypropylene tubes. The active ingredient is doxylamine succinate. The drug has sedative, hypnotic and m-cholinergic blocking properties. It promotes fast...
Persen tablets
Persen tablets - calming medical drug, produced on the basis of natural extracts with a sedative effect. The medicine, available in tablets, relieves anxiety and irritability, improves sleep and mood. Indications for the use of the drug are neuroses and...
Ortho Taurine tablets
Ortho Taurine tablets are recommended for very wide range symptoms, among which a modern person will certainly find disturbing indications for the use of Ortho Taurine. Mental stress active working rhythm is combined with physical and emotional ones, as a result, these factors manifest themselves in...
Novopassit tablets
Novopassit tablets belong to the group of sedative drugs. Widely used as a means of reducing anxiety and mental stress. It is often recommended for the treatment of neurotic disorders accompanied by asthenia, hypothymia, sleep dysfunction and somatization phenomena...
Dormiplant tablets
The sedative Dormiplant is a sedative drug containing active components of plant origin. Dormiplant has a pronounced sedative effect and helps make it easier to fall asleep. The composition of the drug includes extracts of valerian and lemon balm - medicinal plants possessing...
Phytosed tablets
Phytosed is a sleeping pill and sedative for plant based. The drug has a sedative effect due to its constituent components. The active substances of hawthorn fruits (flavonoids, organic acids, etc.) reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, help improve coronary and cerebral...
Sedonic tablets
Sedonic - combination drug, the effect of which is determined by the properties of the components included in its composition. Biologically active substances extracts of medicinal plants have a beneficial effect on the functional activity of the nervous system, providing a predominantly sedative effect, eliminating the feeling...
Palora tablets
Palora tablets are a sleeping pill, a sedative. Passionflower extract (passion flower) is obtained from the Passiflora incarnata plant. Passionflower extract contains a group of alkaloids such as harmane, harmol, harmaline (hallucinogen), harmine, harmalol and aribin, and some flavonoids such as vitexin and...
Relaxedin tablets
Relaxedin tablets are a sedative and hypnotic in combination, excluding barbiturates. The drug Relaxedin contains a combination of dry extracts of valerian root and lemon balm leaves. Experience traditional use showed that extracts of valerian root and lemon balm leaves have...
Nervomix Sleep tablets
Tablets Nervomix Sleep - biologically active additive plant-based, has a calming and sedative effect. The effect of the drug is due to the components included in its composition. L-theanine has a direct effect on activity and reduces stress, it has the ability to relax the mind without...
Migstress tablets
Migstress tablets - modern complex under stress, protecting the body under high psycho-emotional stress. MigStress combines components with a proven anti-stress effect: glycine, passionflower, griffonia. Combined in one tablet, these components exhibit...
Alvogen Relax tablets
Alvogen Relax tablets are a dietary supplement containing a balanced combination of valerian, passionflower and hawthorn. Alvogen Relax is a natural herbal remedy that has a tranquilizing, anti-anxiety and sedative effect. Recommended for reducing...
Sedistress tablets
Sedistress tablets are a sedative and hypnotic drug, the effect of which is determined by the components included in its composition. Passionflower extract causes sedative and hypnotic effect s. Ethyl ester of a-bromoisovaleric acid has a reflex calming and antispasmodic effect due to...
Bromcamphor tablets
Bromcamphor tablets are a hypnotic and sedative drug that has the ability to concentrate and enhance inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex, especially with increased excitability of the central nervous system. Facilitates the onset of natural sleep. Normalizes cardiac...
Vamelan tablets
Vamelan tablets are a combined herbal medicine that has a sedative effect. It consists of three components - extracts of medicinal plants: valerian, peppermint and lemon balm. Valerian extract has sedative properties, reduces tension and irritability characteristic of mental...
Adonis bromine tablets
Adonis bromine tablets are a sedative drug, the main active ingredient of which is adonis extract. The product has sedative, cardiotonic and diuretic properties. It is prescribed for the treatment of the central nervous system and pathologies of the cardiovascular system, it helps with...
Insomnia pills without prescriptions
A person should spend a third of his life sleeping – quite a lot. After a full sleep, the charge of vigor and performance lasts for a long time. At the same time, intermittent, light sleep, poor sleep can become a real torment, especially on the eve of an important day.
The most powerful sleeping pills are limited-release drugs and require a prescription to purchase. Such drugs, for example, include old and well-known barbiturates: etaminal - sodium, barbamyl, phenobarbital. To acquire such modern and soft active drugs, like Imovan (zopiclone) and zolpidem, also need a prescription.
At the same time, there is a large group of over-the-counter drugs that have a hypnotic effect. They are in free sale because their psychoactive inhibitory effect on the central nervous system is much lower, and overdose does not cause serious side effects. However, they can help you fall asleep in most cases of mild sleep disorders.
We present these drugs in descending order of hypnotic effect.
- Melaxen
- Donormil
- Corvadol (Valocordin)
- Novo-Passit
- Persen–Forte
- Phytosedan
- Glycine
Pills for insomnia without addiction
Is there a non-addictive cure for insomnia? People suffering from this disease should understand that any drug that affects the quality and duration of sleep, when long-term use will lead to the formation of a habit.
The body adapts to the effect of the main active substance and either no longer reacts to it, or with each subsequent dose the dose will have to be increased.
All medications are selected individually and only by a doctor. In addition, before appointments, the patient needs to consult a psychologist, neurologist and other specialists.
Mostly, we're talking about about drugs based on barbiturates and benzodiazepines. All medications for insomnia, regardless of the degree of their effect on brain function, have a number of contraindications for long-term use. Among them: respiratory failure, bradycardia.
Those who suffer from night snoring or have chronic illnesses lower sections respiratory system - should refrain from trying to relieve insomnia with pharmaceutical drugs.
Insomnia tablets for the elderly
In old age, up to 35% of patients suffer from insomnia. This is due to the fact that the production of melatonin decreases with age, and deterioration is noted. cerebral circulation, which entails disruption of sleep structure. In this age category, it is important to choose a medicine that has a hypnotic effect and, at the same time, does not affect the person’s mental functions, does not drowsiness, lethargy and imbalance.
Transient (passing) insomnia in the elderly does not require medication, and feelings of anxiety and tension can be relieved with herbal preparations. For severe insomnia, preference is given to safe medicines with a short half-life, since there is a risk of their accumulation in the body and the likelihood of side and toxic effects increases.
Currently the safest and best medicine from insomnia in old age has already been determined. These are representatives of the group of third-generation sedatives (Zopiclone, Zolpidem), which are dispensed in pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription. These drugs have a pronounced hypnotic effect; they provide sleep that approaches physiological sleep. The drugs are well tolerated and do not lead to the development of lethargy and drowsiness the next day.
Insomnia treatment pills
Before taking sleeping pills, you should try taking complex sedatives, because there is a high probability that the cause of insomnia is emotional overexcitement. If taking sleeping pills is still indicated, then you need to remember several rules for healthy use to avoid addiction and so-called “medicinal addiction”:
- It is necessary to begin drug treatment with drugs produced on the basis of plant extracts; they can also be used during medicinal “vacations” when hypnotics are canceled;
- The maximum duration of a course of powerful sleeping pills is 3 weeks, because after this the habituation stage begins;
- Preference should be given to fast-acting medications that promote falling asleep quickly, and are quickly eliminated from the body, since they do not cause daytime sleepiness;
- older people should take half the recommended dose of sleeping pills, and possible cross-effects when combining the drug with medications for other pathologies must first be studied.
Due to mental or physical fatigue, stress, many people face problems such as insomnia, restless sleep, increased fatigue. Medicines from different groups can help cope with this disease: herbal, synthetic and semi-synthetic. Pharmacological medications against insomnia should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor. Check out the main groups sleeping pills, their effect on the physiological processes of the body.
Indications for the use of sleep tablets
Various medications can help a person sleep and fully relax. Sleep pills are prescribed if the following indications exist:
- long periods of falling asleep, frequent awakenings;
- stress, neuroses;
- increased irritability;
- jet lag due to a sudden change in time zone or daily routine;
- psychosomatic diseases;
- vegetative pathologies;
- depressive state;
- endocrine pathologies;
- age-related changes.
Groups of tablets for sleep
There are many tablets that help normalize the physiological processes of sleep. Currently, sleeping pills are represented by drugs of various chemical groups:
- Barbiturates. Tablets for sound sleep from the barbiturate group make it easier to fall asleep, but somewhat change the ratio of the REM and REM phases. slow sleep. This often leads to anxiety and shallow, intermittent sleep. The main side effects of barbiturates include drowsiness, lethargy, addiction, and decreased blood pressure. Large doses of drugs can provoke sleep apnea and cardiac arrest. Phenobarbital is a barbiturate.
- Tablets based herbal ingredients. Calming tablets for sleep based on herbal extracts have a small number of contraindications for use and are rarely addictive. The main representatives of this group of drugs are Valerian, Motherwort, Lofant. On the pharmacological market there are combination herbal tablets to normalize sleep: Persen, Novo-passit. They have a more pronounced effect, but increase the risk of side effects.
- Benzodiazepine derivatives. Anti-insomnia pills of this group (for example, Nitrazepam), unlike barbiturates, are easier to tolerate by the body and rarely cause addiction or other side effects. All tranquilizers based on benzodiazepine derivatives have a sedative effect and promote rapid onset of sleep. The intensity of action of medications in this group differs from each other. Drugs that have a more pronounced effect include Thiazolam, Temazepam, etc. The components of these drugs bind to specific benzodiazepine receptors in the brain tissue, which leads to a decrease in the functional activity of the central nervous system.
- Ethanolamine derivatives. Tablets to improve sleep reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, increase the duration and quality of sleep, without disturbing the sequence of phases. Side effects include hand tremors, increased restlessness and anxiety, and increased fatigue. Ethanolamine derivatives include Donormil, Rozerem.
- Histamine receptor blockers. Antihistamines inhibit the functioning of histamine receptors. Due to the fact that the amino acid histamine is one of the main neurotransmitters of wakefulness, blockade of its transport mechanisms at the synapse leads to a sedative effect. Side effects include drowsiness, decreased performance, and tachycardia. Histamine receptor blockers are Diphenhydramine and Doxylamine.
Herbal sleep tablets
The pharmacological effect of the drugs is due to the herbal extracts they contain. Find out more about the properties of plant-based sedative tablets:
| Name of the medication | Main operating | Advantages | Flaws | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonilyuks | Clover, lemon balm, St. John's wort, hawthorn and olive fruits. | Natural composition, non-addictive. | ||
| Beaver stream, gaba alishan, lofant. | The drug contains only herbal ingredients. | At long-term use tablets, the development of tachycardia and arrhythmia is possible. | ||
| Valerian | Valerian root. | The tablets have a strong calming effect, contain natural ingredients, and are low cost. | Allergic reactions may develop. | |
| Novo-passit | St. John's wort, mint, motherwort. | The drug has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. | The need for long-term use. | |
| Motherwort | Motherwort. | The tablets act quickly, contain natural ingredients, and are low cost. | Possibility of developing allergic reactions. | |
| Valerian root, mint herb, lemon balm. | The medication has a beneficial effect on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. | The need for long-term use. |
Synthetic drugs without a prescription
Artificially synthesized drugs, sold without a prescription, have a gentle effect on the central nervous system, reducing its activity and helping to normalize sleep. Some of the most popular medications are presented in the table:
| Name of the medication | Main active ingredient | pharmachologic effect | Advantages | Flaws | Approximate cost in rubles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donormil | Doxylamine | A hypnotic drug of the ethanolamine class from the group of histamine receptor blockers. It has atropine-like and sedative effects. Reduces the time to fall asleep, increases the duration and depth of sleep. | Quick effect. | The drug may be addictive and is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation | |
| Melaxen | Melatonin | An adaptogenic drug, a chemical analogue of the hormone melatonin. Synthesized from amino acids of plant origin. | A fast-acting medication that is not addictive. | Provokes daytime sleepiness. | |
| Phenazepam | Bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine | The medication has anticonvulsant, relaxing, sedative and hypnotic effects. | Quick effect. | A large number of side effects. | |
| Ambien (Zolpidem, Lunesta) | Zolpidem tartrate | Pharmacological agent has a sedative, hypnotic effect. | The drug does not have a strong inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. | Many contraindications for use, hepatotoxicity. | |
| Doxylamine | The drug has a sedative and hypnotic effect. | The medication has a mild hypnotic effect and is not addictive. | A large number of side effects and contraindications. | ||
| Zopiclone | The medicine has a strong hypnotic effect. The product makes it easier to fall asleep and increases the duration of sleep. | Sonata does not cause post-somnia disorders (tremors, headaches, etc.). |
Homeopathic medicines
Sedatives homeopathic medicines effectively help against insomnia and do not cause side effects. Among the most popular medications in this group are the following medications:
- Calm down. The medicine has a sedative, calming effect. Calm is indicated for use in cases of nervous overexcitation, insomnia, and stress. The tablets do not cause addiction or side effects even with long-term use. The cost of the medicine varies from 60 to 80 rubles.
- Hypnosed. Complex homeopathic medicine. The composition includes extracts of passionflower and bitter ignatia. Hypnosed has a strong sedative effect, relieves rheumatic pain and cramps, and helps normalize hormonal balance. With prolonged use, the tablets can cause a slight decrease in blood pressure and dizziness. The price of the drug is about 120 rubles.
A long process of falling asleep ends 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 against insomnia. Some of them not only normalize sleep, but have many side effects that cause harm to the body - addiction, impaired attention, severe psycho-emotional disorders. Therefore, if you have symptoms of insomnia, do not rush to the pharmacy for a sleeping pill. Consult a specialist who can help you choose a medicine that will promote normal sleep in each specific situation. The fight against insomnia will be effective if you establish the causes of its occurrence and select correct therapy.
Medicines for insomnia vary in therapeutic activity, but they work on the same principle - they inhibit brain activity and relieve nervous and muscle tension. The duration of action of drugs depends on the rate of their elimination and the degree of influence on the functions of the central nervous system.
Short-acting sleeping pills eliminate difficulties in falling asleep and do not interfere with the duration and relationship of sleep phases. Facilities average duration actions relieve excitation and increase inhibition. The effect lasts longer, which improves falling asleep and sleep quality. Drugs long acting help with poor sleep, shallow sleep, frequent awakenings at night.
All sleeping pills differ in chemical composition and have different effects on the central nervous system.
Types of medications to treat sleep disorders
Barbiturates (Phenobarbital, Reladorm) are effective for severe insomnia, but cause drowsiness, lethargy, irritation after sleep, headache and muscle pain. With prolonged use, mental and physical dependence. Barbiturates shorten REM sleep cycles, which are important for nervous system recovery. Barbituric acid derivatives are available by prescription only.
Anti-insomnia drugs from the group of tranquilizers (Phenazepam, Nitrazepam, Sibazon, Midazolam) are low-toxic, do not give pronounced aftereffects, and are less likely to cause addiction. Particularly effective for insomnia caused by anxiety and 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 night awakenings. In the morning they do not cause feelings of fatigue and drowsiness, and have a positive effect on the emotional sphere.
Group Z medications for insomnia have virtually no side effects and do not cause post-somnia disorders. After waking up, a person does not feel discomfort. The drugs differ in their duration of action. If you have difficulty falling asleep, Adante is prescribed. Ivadal, Zolpidem works for 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 long-term use of group Z drugs, addiction may occur.
First generation antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Diprazine) have a mild sedative effect and are quickly eliminated from the gastrointestinal tract.
A doctor should choose a drug to treat insomnia. Uncontrolled use of sleeping pills can create dependence, increase excitability instead of the expected hypnotic effect, cause muscle weakness, withdrawal syndrome, impair attention and memory.
Over-the-counter sleeping pills
Depending on the composition, medications are divided into three groups.
- Plants (Persen, Motherwort Forte).
Substances contained in plants normalize sleep, improve mood, strengthen the psyche, relieve anxiety, and calm the nervous system. Herbal remedies against insomnia are non-toxic, act gently, and can be taken long time, have a minimal number of contraindications. Herbal remedies are effective for mild disorders physiological process, for the prevention of insomnia during stress of various types. In cases of severe insomnia, they are used only as additional therapy. - Synthetic (Melaxen, Reslip, Phenibut).
Medicines help 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 components. All substances enhance each other's actions. Due to this, a quick hypnotic effect is achieved. Medicines in this group are indicated for minor sleep disturbances and neurotic disorders, relieve irritability and make it easier to fall asleep. - Homeopathic (Hypnosed, Nota, Passidorm).
Harmless, non-addictive drugs contain a balanced set of components that eliminate fear, anxiety, and problems falling asleep. Homeomedicines do not disrupt the biochemical processes in the body, direct reserve forces to fight, and are not accompanied by symptoms of aftereffects. For a stable and long-lasting effect, long-term use of homeopathic remedies is recommended.
Which sleeping pill to choose
Without a doctor's prescription, you can purchase drugs that have a moderate effect on the nervous system. They normalize sleep, heart rate, and reduce nervous excitement. An effective remedy for insomnia does not have to be potent. With the right selection, even a mild sleeping pill will give a positive result.
List of the most popular drugs for insomnia.
- Melaxen.
A synthesized analogue of the pineal hormone (melatonin) suitable for self-use for insomnia in people of different age groups. The tablets normalize the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness, make it easier to fall asleep, and 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, and nausea occur. Melaxen is used to normalize biological rhythm, promotes rapid falling asleep and light morning awakening. - Persen.
Relieves irritability, anxiety, eliminates depression, promotes concentration. The composition of the sedative for insomnia includes extracts of lemon balm, mint and valerian roots. The components make it easier to fall asleep by enhancing inhibitory processes in the central nervous system. Persen is recommended for prolonged periods of falling asleep and frequent awakenings caused by stressful situations and overwork. - Donormil.
Effervescent tablets have a pronounced sedative effect, provide relief, and increase the length of night's rest. May cause palpitations, daytime sleepiness, and dry mouth. Donormil does not affect brain activity. - Glycine.
Sublingual tablets reduce central nervous system excitation, improve metabolism in brain tissues, increase mental performance, normalize sleep. Glycine is recommended for people with emotional instability and high excitability. - Valoserdin.
Due to the content of phenobarbital, it reduces the excitation of the central nervous system. Drops for insomnia provide a mild hypnotic effect and are prescribed for difficulty falling asleep, neurosis-like conditions, and cerebrovascular accidents. Long-term use may cause drug addiction, depression. - Atarax.
Relieves anxiety psychomotor agitation, relaxes smooth muscles, increases. At the beginning of treatment, drowsiness and general weakness may occur. - Phenibut.
Positively affects brain activity, reduces the severity of complications after traumatic brain injury, increases the brain’s resistance to high loads. Phenibut relieves anxiety, reduces emotional stress, and improves the quality of night's rest. Prescribed for insomnia of neurotic origin. - Corvalol.
It has a calming effect, relieves spasms in the intestines, dilates blood vessels, and makes it easier to fall asleep. It is well tolerated, but with prolonged use or overdose it causes CNS depression. Experts recommend taking drops for mild and irritability. - Valerian.
A herbal remedy with a sedative effect is used for nervous excitability, difficulty falling asleep caused by overexcitation, stress. In rare cases, it provokes a depressed state.
New items
New generation drugs help cope with stress, improve sleep quality, and eliminate the causes of insomnia. They are quickly eliminated from the body, so there are no aftereffect symptoms in the morning. New medications for insomnia are safer because they only affect the brain receptors responsible for sleep.
- Sonilyuks.
The drops contain natural components of plant origin, which quickly enter the bloodstream and improve psycho-emotional state. The insomnia remedy Sonilux normalizes sleep and eliminates the causes of sleep disturbance, restores 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. At long-term treatment the risk of addiction cannot be ruled out. Prescribed to patients with situational, transient, chronic forms insomnia. - Roserem.
Recommended for insomnia associated with prolonged falling asleep, helps sleep soundly. The medicine for insomnia Rozerm does not cause side effects or dependence. - Sonnat.
Prescribed for difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, transient persistence, etc. 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 occurs with gastritis, taking certain hormonal drugs, pregnancy, physical activity, malnutrition. Insomnia can be provoked by a lack of serotonin, the synthesis of which involves pyridoxine (B6).
Fatigue, drowsiness, depression, irritability, etc. appear. Vitamins B, A, E and microelements 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 and promote a good night's rest.
The multitude of medicines and vitamins leads to confusion: “How to choose from all the variety? the best remedy from insomnia? For an answer, contact specialists at regional 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 medications with the help of,. Special clinics use drug-free methods for eliminating insomnia (electric sleep, relaxation therapy).
List of used literature:
- Levin Ya. I., Kovrov G. V. Some modern approaches to the treatment of insomnia // Attending physician. - 2003. - No. 4.
- Kotova O. V., Ryabokon I. V. Modern aspects therapy for insomnia // Attending physician. - 2013. - No. 5.
- T. I. Ivanova, Z. A. Kirillova, L. Ya. Rabichev. Insomnia (treatment and prevention). - M.: Medgiz, 1960.
Insomnia or insomnia is a sleep disorder. It manifests itself as difficulty falling asleep, shallow, interrupted sleep or premature awakening. During the night, your strength does not have time to recover, and in the morning you feel tired, sleep-deprived and exhausted. During the day, irresistible drowsiness occurs, performance decreases, and mood deteriorates.
Insomnia is a malfunction of our “biological clock,” which is responsible for alternating wakefulness and sleep. Fine The biological clock work stably. At the same time, they prepare the body for sleep. At the same time, the speed of reactions, mental and physical performance, blood pressure and temperature decrease, less adrenaline-like hormones, increasing activity. But if a disruption occurs in biorhythms, then these processes begin not in the evening, but in the morning, when it’s time for you to get up.
Insomnia affects 30% of men and 35% of women. This problem is relevant for young children, as well as for middle-aged and elderly people. It has been noticed that the older a person is, the more often he complains of insomnia. This problem is especially common among socially disadvantaged people.
Some interesting facts about sleep and insomnia:
- Normally, a person spends a third of his life sleeping.
- A special center of the brain, located in the hypothalamus, is responsible for sleep.
- During sleep, our brain does not rest, but on the contrary, some of its parts are activated: the hypothalamus, thalamus and frontal lobes.
- At night, the body produces the hormone melatonin, which helps you fall asleep.
- Healthy sleep consists of two phases. The slow eye movement (SEM) phase is when we fall soundly asleep and lasts 75% of the time. And the rapid eye movement (REM) phase is when we dream.
- During the second stage of sleep (REM), the muscles of the body are “paralyzed” so that we do not repeat the movements that we make in our sleep.
- During sleep, we restore the body's mental and physical reserves spent during the day. Therefore, the more you worked, the more you need healthy sleep.
- Children produce growth hormone during deep sleep, so they actually grow while they sleep.
Causes of insomnia
Effective fight with insomnia is possible only after correct identification of its cause. It can be difficult to determine what exactly is stealing your sleep. But it is very important to do this, because if you eliminate the cause, the problem will disappear by itself.- Violation of sleep hygiene rules
Sleep hygiene includes many factors. For example, a moderately hard bed, a comfortable pillow, silence, optimal temperature in the bedroom and fresh air. You may wake up too early because the sun's rays wake you up or the music at the nearby club is too loud.
When sleep rules are violated, the manifestations of insomnia are varied:
- inability to sleep despite extreme fatigue;
- surface interrupted sleep;
- early awakenings.
- Anxiety, worry, stressful situations
Suspicious people tend to exaggerate the problem and think about it for a long time, and before bed there is time for this. This cause of insomnia is typical for women, because they are more susceptible to “soul-searching”, analyzing their actions and shortcomings.
Stress threatens everyone. It can be triggered by a variety of situations: changing seasons, ruined plans, unrequited love or illness. loved one. But the result is the same - the body’s defenses are reduced, and insomnia appears.
Stressful situations disrupt the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, at the right time, the parts of the brain responsible for sleep do not work. And disturbances in the functioning of the glands lead to a decrease in the production of the sleep hormone and an increase in adrenaline-like substances in the body, which overexcite the nervous system.
Peculiarities:
- fear of not being able to sleep;
- you cannot fall asleep for more than 30 minutes;
- sleep becomes superficial, the person often wakes up;
- the rapid eye movement phase predominates, disturbing dreams and nightmares occur
- persistent insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day;
- attacks of dizziness or fainting;
- trembling of limbs or feeling of internal trembling;
- rapid heartbeat and chest pain;
- constant headaches.
- Diseases of the nervous system: depression, neuroses, mental illness, neuroinfections, concussions.
For normal sleep, the coordinated work of the nervous system is necessary - in some areas of the brain, inhibition processes predominate, and the sleep centers are excited. During diseases and functional disorders of the nervous system, this mechanism fails. The processes of excitation and inhibition are no longer in balance and this leads to serious sleep disturbances.
Peculiarities:
- difficulty falling asleep;
- frequent awakenings;
- sensitive intermittent sleep;
- at night a person wakes up at 3 o’clock and can no longer fall asleep;
- complete absence sleep.
- Poor nutrition
As you know, you shouldn’t overeat at night, but you shouldn’t go to bed if you feel hungry. After a hearty dinner, especially meat, food lingers in the stomach until the morning. This causes a rush of blood to the stomach and an unpleasant feeling of heaviness in the stomach. During sleep, digestion is poor and fermentation processes occur. That's why you feel discomfort in your sleep.Peculiarities:
- sensitive restless sleep;
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
- you toss and turn, trying to find a comfortable position;
- frequent awakenings.
- Body diseases (somatic)
Any illness can disrupt sleep. Especially infectious diseases, arterial hypertension, angina pectoris, thyrotoxicosis, peptic ulcer, hypertrophy prostate gland, itchy dermatoses, arthrosis. Even minor ailments that are accompanied by intoxication or pain in the different parts bodies cause short-term insomnia. Chronic diseases, especially cardiac diseases, cause disruption of circadian rhythms and long-term sleep disturbances.
Peculiarities:
- you cannot fall asleep for a long time due to poor health or anxious thoughts;
- sleep is interrupted due to attacks of pain;
- daytime sleepiness.
- Behaviors that cause insomnia
This type of insomnia is based on a negative attitude towards sleeping in your bed. This can happen after a divorce, because of the fear of unwanted intimacy with your spouse, you are afraid that you will have nightmares at night or have a heart attack. In this case, the person is afraid of the coming of night. Instead of the nervous system calming down and preparing for sleep, arousal processes in the brain increase, which makes it difficult to fall asleep.
Peculiarities:
- It may take 3-4 hours to fall asleep;
- sleep is not deep, filled with disturbing dreams;
- fatigue and feeling of exhaustion in the morning;
- Often this form of insomnia is associated with a specific place and the problem disappears while away.
- Violations circadian rhythm, biological clock failure
This happens when flying from one time zone to another, after changing the clock to daylight saving time, due to working in night shift. Interestingly, “night owls” adapt better to such changes, but “larks” begin to have problems with sleep.
For example, you have flown through several time zones. The clock on the wall tells you it's time to go to bed, but your body clock doesn't agree. The body is not preparing for sleep. On the contrary, you elevated temperature, there are enough hormones and glucose in the blood, you are full of energy. This leads to insomnia. Work or leisure at night they also throw off the biological clock - they shift it by more late time getting ready for bed.
Peculiarities:
- in the evening and at night a person feels cheerful and active, cannot fall asleep;
- sleep comes only in the morning;
- drowsiness during the daytime;
- memory and attention performance decrease.
- Bedwetting (enuresis)
Urinary incontinence occurs in 25% of preschool children and 1% of adults. It can be caused by immaturity of the nervous system, allergies, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infections, and neuroses after stress. The fear that the bladder will fail occurs every evening. This leads to the fact that sleep turns from a relaxation into a threat.Peculiarities:
- sensitive shallow sleep;
- frequent waking up due to fear of getting the sheets wet;
- waking up to empty the bladder, after which it is difficult to fall asleep.
- Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing (apnea)
Today, snoring and apnea are considered a serious problem, affecting 25% of men and 15% of women. The fact is that while you sleep, the muscles of the larynx relax and temporarily block the access of air to the lungs. Snoring can be caused by enlarged adenoids tonsils and deviated nasal septum, large uvula, excess weight. Apnea is often caused by a condition in the brain where the nerve centers that control inhalation are not sufficiently stimulated. Apnea appears as holding your breath during sleep 5 times an hour for 10 seconds or more.
When you snore or hold your breath, you lack oxygen. You wake up to start breathing correctly 20-40 times a night.
Peculiarities:
- although there are no problems with falling asleep and staying asleep, you still feel sleep-deprived;
- frequent waking up. You may not notice them, but they interrupt the normal processes that occur in the brain during sleep;
- headache during the day;
- during the daytime, decreased memory and attention, irritability.
- Taking medications and stimulants
A cup of strong tea, coffee, dark chocolate, cola, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines stimulate the nervous system, activate reserve forces and prevent you from falling asleep. In addition, they reduce the duration of deep sleep, depriving you good rest. Often persistent and debilitating insomnia occurs in people who suddenly quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
Many medications can also cause insomnia:Antidepressants: Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine strongly activate the nervous system. And Desipramine and Imipramine can cause both drowsiness and insomnia.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors : Tranylcypromine and Phenelzine are used for nervous disorders. They make sleep abrupt and fragmentary, and force you to wake up frequently.
Medicine for bronchial asthma: Theophylline has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and makes sleep short and disturbing.
Medicines used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases: Methyldopa, Hydrochlorothiazide, Propranolol, Furosemide, Quinidine lead to difficulty falling asleep. Sleep becomes fitful and shallow.
- Periodic movements in sleep, restless legs syndrome.
Involuntary movements of the arms and legs may occur several times per minute. Such restless sleep is associated with pregnancy, arthritis, diabetes, anemia, uremia, leukemia, chronic diseases kidneys, peculiarities of brain function and circulatory disorders spinal cord.
If normally the muscles become immobilized in the second phase of sleep, this does not happen in this case. Constant movement makes you wake up.
Peculiarities:
- inability to sleep due to discomfort;
- frequent awakenings associated with unpleasant sensations in the legs or sudden movements;
- feeling tired in the morning;
- drowsiness and irritability during the day.
- Old age
With age, physical activity decreases, people do not need long sleep. But at the same time, there remains a psychological need to sleep 7-8 hours a day. Reduced night sleep is perceived as insomnia. In addition, sleep is worsened by numerous diseases and changes in the functioning of the nervous system.
Peculiarities:
- falling asleep early;
- early awakenings;
- daytime sleepiness.
- Hereditary tendency
The tendency to insomnia is inherited. This is associated with insufficient production of the “sleep hormone” and poor functioning of the sleep center in the cerebellum.
Peculiarities:
- Parents and children have similar sleep disorders.
- Follow a daily routine.
- Be physically active during the day, move more.
- Don't overeat at night.
- Do not consume tonic substances in the afternoon: alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine.
- Create comfort in your bedroom: coolness, fresh air, a cozy bed.
- Dedicate 15 minutes every evening to relaxation: music, a warm bath, a book, meditation.
- Do not take sleeping pills without a doctor's prescription. It only helps for a few days, and then addiction sets in and the medicine stops working. It is better to use herbal medicine recipes.
What is bad for sleep?
We offer a sample list of things that have a bad effect on sleep and can cause insomnia.What should you not eat before bed?
Tea, coffee, cola, dark chocolate contain caffeine, which tones the nervous system. Therefore, it is advisable to consume them 6 hours before bedtime. Energy drinks with extracts of lemongrass, guarana, caffeine or taurine activate the nervous system. They will keep you awake 2 times longer than coffee. Therefore, avoid them in the afternoon.
Alcohol and tobacco are also stimulants of the nervous system, which can cause short-term insomnia. But abuse of psychoactive drugs (anasha, marijuana, hashish, LSD) can cause chronic sleep disorder.
A large dinner before bedtime is the cause of nightmares and frequent awakenings. Remember that meat remains in the stomach for 8 hours, so it is best to eat it for lunch. And in the evening, porridge, dairy dishes, vegetables and fruits will be good.
Drinking too much liquid can disrupt your sleep. The bladder will get you up several times a night.
Some medications cause sleep disturbances. Consult your doctor, he may recommend reducing the dose or rescheduling your intake.
What should you not do before bed?
Exercising on exercise equipment or other vigorous activity should be no later than 6 hours before bedtime. Therefore, give up playing sports after work, and replace them with walking. Remember that physical and mental fatigue worsens sleep. Try to avoid stress in the evening, learn to abstract yourself from problems that you cannot solve in the evening. this moment. Tell yourself: “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”
Postpone the showdown until the morning. Never swear in the bedroom, much less while lying in bed. You should associate it only with sleep.
There are also a number of restrictions regarding the bedroom. Your bed should not be used for watching TV, reading or eating. Ideally, you spend 15 minutes more in bed than you spend sleeping. For example, if 7 hours of sleep is enough for you, then you need to go to bed at 23:45 and get up at 7:00.
Have you noticed that if you absolutely need to get enough sleep in order to get up early tomorrow, then falling asleep becomes more difficult than usual. This is called "expectation neurosis." Don't think about tomorrow and don't look at the clock. Try to relax all your muscles, breathe slowly and deeply.
An evening in a brightly lit room in front of the TV is not conducive to sleep. Light, even artificial light, tells the body that it is daytime and you need to be active. TV overloads you with information.
The computer also makes it difficult to fall asleep. The Internet offers a variety of entertainment for every taste, which is difficult to tear yourself away from in order to go to bed on time.
Quite harmless things also worsen sleep: loud music, noisy games with children.
If possible, avoid jobs that require you to be active at night. Working around the clock or a rotating schedule will definitely cause a disruption in your biological clock. You won't be able to force yourself to fall asleep at the right time in the evening.
What is good for sleep?
In 70% of cases, you can solve the problem of insomnia yourself. Armed with this knowledge, you will learn to fall asleep quickly and wake up in the morning fully rested. First, determine whether you are getting enough sleep. For one people full recovery you need 10 hours of sleep, while others need only 5. If you feel rested in the morning, then you get enough sleep. You really have insomnia if you:
- spend several hours at night without sleep or wake up frequently;
- in the morning you feel overwhelmed and tired;
- you feel drowsy during the day and fall asleep in the wrong place;
- your performance and attention are reduced.
The first thing you need to do to overcome insomnia is to organize your daily routine. It is very important for both children and adults to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. This will adjust your biological clock.
Comfort in the bedroom. Take care of comfort in your bedroom and good sound insulation. Curtains should be thick enough to prevent light from disturbing your sleep. Leave the window open at night or ventilate the room well in the evening.
Your bed should be comfortable. Try using a lower pillow; too high will cause neck pain. You may find it more comfortable if you place a bolster or pillow under your knees or back. This advice is especially relevant for pregnant women. Sometimes it is necessary to replace the mattress. It should be of medium hardness.
To make it easier to wake up in the morning, open the curtains or turn on the light. This will signal your brain that it's time to tune in for the day's activity. In the evening, on the contrary, dim the lights. This will help develop conditioned reflex and it's easier to fall asleep.
Try to move more during the day. Especially in the first half of the day. In the evening, just take a walk in the fresh air. Walking will cause moderate fatigue, and you will toss and turn in bed less. And oxygen saturation will make your sleep calm and deep.
Even if you feel sleepy, stop nap. Keep yourself busy, you can just relax or take a shower. This will help adjust your biorhythms so that your body learns to rest at night.
Have dinner no later than 3 hours before bedtime. Studies have shown that the amino acid tryptophan relieves insomnia. It is found in dairy products, cheese, chicken, turkey, bananas.
Treat illnesses in a timely manner. For some, taking a dose of aspirin at night is enough to normalize sleep. It helps relieve joint pain, reduce involuntary movements legs and has a weak hypnotic effect. But remember that aspirin has a bad effect on the gastric mucosa, so it must be taken after meals.
To cope with insomnia associated with flying across multiple time zones, light therapy is necessary. If you feel too alert at night, avoid bright light after 15:00 local time. Wear very dark sunglasses outside and dim the lighting indoors. In the morning, on the contrary, spend more time in bright light.
If insomnia is associated with unpleasant sensations in the legs, then walking will help. Afterwards, take a foot bath. Experiment with which water is right for you: warm or cool. Then get a massage. It is useful to drink vitamins containing iron and folic acid.
Learn to relax. All means are good for this. You can get creative, listen to relaxing or just quiet melodic music, read, take a warm bath.
If you feel the effects of stress, use a few techniques to relieve tension:
- Slowly stretch upward as you inhale, straighten your shoulders. Exhale slowly. Feel how the tension goes away with the air and the muscles relax.
- Wash your face with cool water several times.
- Hold your hands under running warm water.
- Massage your temples with your fingers. There is acupuncture points that will help you relax spasmodic muscles.
- Relax your mouth muscles. Move your jaw from side to side.
- Concentrate on your breathing. Force yourself to breathe slowly and rhythmically.
- Brew a cup of herbal tea: mint, lemon balm, chamomile. And drink in small sips for 5 minutes.
Counting sheep, familiar from childhood, too excellent remedy relax. Count as you inhale and exhale. But if you get lost and think about something else, then start counting again.
Another trick to fall asleep faster. Don't take cover! Lie on your back and relax. After a few minutes you will feel cool. This began to drop body temperature - one of the indicators that the body is preparing for sleep. Now you can take cover. The warmth will help you fall asleep quickly.
If, despite your efforts, you do not fall asleep within 15 minutes, then get out of bed. Read, breathe fresh air on the balcony, drink milk. When you feel sleepy, return to bed. Repeat this technique until you can fall asleep quickly. This technique is called “sleep restriction.” It is guaranteed to relieve you of insomnia in 3-4 weeks. But for this you need to fulfill 2 conditions:
- get up every morning at the same time;
- never sleep during the day.
Treatment of insomnia with folk remedies
ethnoscience offers many recipes to combat this disease. We suggest considering the most effective ones. Sleep herb tincture
This perennial herb got its name for a reason. It is effective against insomnia for people of any age. Sleep herb has analgesic and calming properties.
As a cure for insomnia, sleep herb tincture is considered the most effective. To prepare one serving, you need to take 10 fresh flowers of the plant in buds, chop them and place them in a jar. Then pour in 1/2 liter of vodka. Let it brew in a cool place for 10 days.
Take 2 tsp. 30 minutes before bedtime. If necessary, you can increase the dose to 1-2 tbsp. When taken systematically, the nervous system gradually calms down and insomnia should disappear after 3-4 weeks. But it is worth remembering that in case of overdose, sleep-herb significantly reduces sexual activity.
Valerian infusion
To prepare an infusion of valerian, you need to take the dried rhizomes of the plant and grind them. Brew the infusion: 1 tsp. raw materials for 1 cup of boiling water. After this, let it brew for 1-2 hours. Drink 100 ml of the infusion before bed. In addition, take the medicine 2 tbsp. spoons 3 times throughout the day. For children, it is recommended to reduce the dosage to 1 tbsp. before bedtime and 1 tsp. 2 times a day.
The first effect should appear after 2 days of use. After 2-3 weeks, many people experience insomnia and typical nervous tension disappears.
Pumpkin decoction.
Peel 250 g of pumpkin and grate on a coarse grater. Then place the pulp in an enamel pan and pour in 1 liter of water, put on medium heat and bring to a boil. After this, let it brew for 30-40 minutes.
You should start taking 1/2 cup 1 hour before bedtime. After a week, you need to increase the dose to 1 glass. After 3-4 days, the first results will be noticeable. You can add honey to the broth to taste. It is recommended to drink this medicine all season long, as long as fresh pumpkin is available. The decoction will be useful for children from 3 years of age, but the children's dose is 50 g per day.
Fragrant tea
Tea made from a mixture of fragrant herbs and hops not only saves you from insomnia, but also has a pleasant taste. To prepare fragrant tea you will need: 50 g – crushed valerian root, 40 g – fresh hop cones, 20 g – mint leaves, 20 g – crushed chicory root and 1 tbsp. honey
The collection is poured into 1 liter of boiling water and allowed to brew for 10-12 hours. After this, filter, heat and add honey. Fragrant tea should be drunk warm, 1 glass 1-2 hours before bedtime. This drink is recommended for elderly people or those suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
The first results will be noticeable within a week. Insomnia usually goes away after 4-5 weeks of treatment.
Medicines for insomnia
Approximately 15% of people suffering from insomnia are forced to take sleeping pills. But you cannot take these medications on your own, without a doctor’s prescription. They are completely contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers, people with breathing disorders during sleep, as well as for those for whom it is important to have good reaction and a clear head. Doctors have a rule: prescribe a minimum dose of the drug, and a short course of 3 days to 2 weeks. The fact is that over time, addiction to sleeping pills occurs. And in order to fall asleep, a person takes everything large dose medications, which leads to serious side effects.
Over-the-counter insomnia medications
Phenobarbital-based sedativesCorvalol, Valocordin. Phenobarbital depresses the nervous system and inhibits the processes occurring in it, calms and has a hypnotic effect. And peppermint oil dilates blood vessels and relieves spasm of smooth muscles, which helps improve brain nutrition.
40-50 drops of the drug are diluted in a small amount of water. Take at night empty stomach. The duration of treatment is no more than 2 weeks, otherwise addiction, mental and physical dependence occurs.
Drugs that improve cerebral circulation
Tanakan, Memoplant - medicines based on the Ginkgo Biloba tree. A course of 2-3 months is necessary in order to improve the functioning of the vessels supplying the brain. Thanks to this, the processes of excitation and inhibition in the nervous system are normalized, memory, attention and sleep improve.
Take 2 tablets 2 times a day, regardless of meals. Do not chew, drink with a small amount of water.
Adaptogenic agents
The preparations Melatonex and Melatonin contain a substance produced by the pineal gland in the dark. This is the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for normal sleep and regulation of circadian rhythms. Its additional intake into the body treats different types insomnia, regulates the biological clock and has an antioxidant effect.
Take 2 tablets before bedtime. The tablet must not be chewed. The medicine begins to act within an hour or two after administration.
Prescription sleeping pills
These potent drugs prescribed by a doctor strict indications. They begin to act only with next day. The medications have several unpleasant side effects:- cause drowsiness and worsen reaction during the day;
- can cause amnesia - loss of memory for events that occurred after taking the drug;
- after their cancellation, insomnia returns with renewed vigor.
Histamine H1 receptor blockers (antihistamines)
They calm you down, help you fall asleep quickly, but cause depression of the nervous system for a long period. Therefore, in the morning you feel drowsy and lethargic. Addiction develops quite quickly, and medications in the usual dosage stop working.
Diphenhydramine. 50 mg 20-30 minutes before bedtime. The course of treatment should not exceed 2 weeks.
Pipolfen 25 mg 1 time per day in the evening. Duration of treatment is 10-14 days.
Donormil in half or in half whole tablet. Dissolve the effervescent tablet in 100 ml of water, and wash down the whole tablet with a small amount of liquid. Duration of treatment is 2-5 days.
Tranquilizers
They have a calming effect on the nervous system, help relieve anxiety, fear, irritability and relax muscles. IN high doses cause drowsiness.
Phenazepam is taken half an hour before bedtime, 0.25-1 mg (half or a whole tablet). Drink with a small amount of water. Duration of treatment is up to 2 weeks.
Benzodiazepines
They have a short period of action and therefore their influence ceases by morning. The drugs do not cause drowsiness or lethargy during the day. They speed up falling asleep and improve sleep quality, reducing the number of awakenings at night. But if you exceed the dose, it can cause addiction and dependence. Abrupt withdrawal causes worsening of insomnia.
Somnol take 1 tablet 30-40 minutes before bedtime, with a sufficient amount of water. Elderly people are recommended to take half a tablet. The course of treatment is from 3 days to 3-4 weeks.
Zolpidem is taken before bedtime, 1 tablet. The course of treatment ranges from several days to a month. Cancel, gradually reducing the dose.
Barbiturates
Calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, help cope with depression and associated insomnia. But in Lately Doctors do not prescribe them widely due to side effects and the development of drug dependence.
Meprobamate 0.2-0.4-0.6 g (1-3 tablets) before bedtime. Duration of treatment is 1-2 months.
The doctor prescribes medications individually, only after establishing the cause of insomnia. Prescribe with extreme caution sleeping pills for people the elderly, those with chronic kidney, lung and liver diseases, and those suffering from mental disorders.
Remember that under no circumstances should you combine sleeping pills with alcohol! It is very dangerous.
Maximum effect from sleeping pills you will get if you combine drug therapy, sleep hygiene, psychotherapy or autogenic training.
Physiotherapy for the treatment of insomnia
Physiotherapy – treatment using physical factors: water, electric current, magnetic field or physical impact on reflex zones.- Massage
Mechanical impact on reflex zones improves blood circulation in the brain and spinal cord, normalizes blood flow, calms the nervous system, relaxes muscles cramped from stress, and speeds up metabolism.The procedure lasts 25-30 minutes. Particular attention is paid to the neck and shoulders (collar area). To enhance the effect, use massage creams with relaxing essential oils.
Indications: for insomnia caused by increased anxiety, stress, cerebrovascular accident. After the massage, it is advisable to take water treatments.
- Therapeutic baths or balneotherapy
Relaxing baths with lavender, chamomile, mustard, pine needles, sea salt, iodine-bromine, pearl. The therapeutic effect is based on the influence of temperature (37-38 C), physical factors and chemicals. Baths dilate skin vessels. This helps improve blood circulation throughout the body. Essential oils reach sensitive receptors and have a calming effect on the nervous system.Indications: insomnia caused by vegetative-vascular dystonia, depression, overwork.
- Electroson
Treatment of insomnia using weak pulsed currents of low frequency. Electrodes are placed on the eyelids. Through the eye sockets, the current is transmitted through the vessels to the brain, having an inhibitory effect on the nervous system. This creates a state similar to sleep. In the cortex and other structures of the brain, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism increases, blood better nourishes the brain, normalizing its functioning.The procedure is painless and lasts 30-40 minutes. The course of treatment consists of 10-15 sessions.
Indications: insomnia, neurasthenia, depression, consequences of injury, functional disorders of the nervous system.
- Magnetotherapy
Under the influence of low frequency magnetic field the functioning of small capillaries supplying tissues improves. Thanks to this, an anti-edematous, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect is achieved. Magnetic therapy on the neck area helps calm the nervous system, reduce blood pressure, and improve the functioning of the centers responsible for sleep. The duration of the procedure is 15-30 minutes. During treatment there are no unpleasant or painful sensations You may only feel a slight warmth. The course of treatment is 10-20 sessions.
Indications: insomnia associated with hypertension, headaches, diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system.
- Darsonvalization of the head and collar area
Treatment with the Darsonval apparatus helps increase immunity, improve blood flow in the brain and lymph outflow, eliminate vascular spasm, normalize the activity of the nervous system and get rid of insomnia.High voltage and high frequency currents ionize the air. There are discharges that resemble small lightning bolts that affect sensitive points on the skin.
The glass electrode is carried out at a distance of 2-4 mm above the skin. At the same time, small blue sparks jump and the smell of ozone appears. During the procedure, you feel a pleasant warmth and slight tingling. The procedure lasts 5-7 minutes, the number of sessions is 15-20.
Indications: sleep disorders caused by concussion, insufficient blood circulation, stress, itchy dermatoses.
- Galvanotherapy
Treatment with direct electric current of low voltage (30-80 V) and low strength. To treat insomnia, the galvanic collar method according to Shcherbak is used - applying current through electrodes to collar area. As a result, physicochemical changes occur in the cells, which lead to the normalization of blood vessels, a decrease in pain sensitivity, and an improvement in the functions of the nervous system. In addition, the production of adrenaline decreases and nervous tension decreases.A large collar-shaped electrode is placed on the shoulders, and a small one on the lower back. They pass through them electricity. During galvanic therapy you will feel a slight burning sensation. The duration of the procedure is 15-30 minutes, 10-25 sessions per course.
Indications: neuroses, hypertension, migraines, traumatic brain injuries causing violations sleep. - Medicinal electrophoresis, sedatives
The essence of the method is the administration of drugs (potassium or sodium bromide) using direct current low power. This technique combined medicinal properties electrotherapy and drug therapy. It helps to relax the nervous system, improve blood flow and normalize sleep.Wet flannel pads moistened with medicine are applied to the skin. Electrodes are inserted into them and the current is gradually increased until you feel a slight tingling sensation. The procedure lasts 15 minutes. The course of treatment is 10-15 sessions.
Indications: increased anxiety and excitability, hyperactivity, neuroses, depression, causing insomnia.
- Acupuncture
Special medical needles, as thick as human hair. Reflexively arise in the nervous system various processes, which increase stress resistance, emotional stability and thus eliminate the very cause of the disease. The procedure is almost painless. The insertion of the needle is accompanied by a surge of heat. An acupuncture session lasts 20-30 minutes, the number of procedures is determined individually.
Indications: various diseases of the nervous system and increased emotional sensitivity.
Insomnia not only makes nights longer, it can seriously affect your quality of life. After all, if you haven’t gotten enough sleep, then you have no strength and your mood is at zero. That's why it's so important to fix your sleep problem. But this must be done competently, because uncontrolled use of sleeping pills can cause physical and psychological dependence.
