COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE THERAPY

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapy



Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapy

Introduction

In the United States today, there are many people who deal with some sort of sleeping disorder. One of these main sleeping disorders is Insomnia. There are many different causes and treatments for insomnia. Some main causes of insomnia are age, gender, depression, drug withdrawal and medication. People can be treated. Some treatments are medication, therapy, restriction, and reconditioning. There also can be changes in sleep behaviors.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back to sleep, waking up too early in the morning, and unrefreshing sleep. (NIH 1). According to Columbia Encyclopedia insomnia is abnormal sleeping or not being able to sleep (1). This could be caused from illness or stimulants (Columbia Encyclopedia 1). Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) states there are about one hundred sleep disorders, and these have been narrowed down to four categories. One of the categories is insomnia. (2). Insomnia can be defined as difficulty falling asleep, awkwardness waking and waking up early. (MFMER 2). Insomnia is the most frequently reported sleep complaint. Insomnia is considered a syndrome not a disease. (MFMER 2). According to Goodman, some alternative names for insomnia are inability to sleep, drowsiness, sleeplessness, and wakefulness (1). Insomnia is not a disease by itself. Insomnia is the most common of the disorders (Goodman 1).

According to McKinley Health Center (MHC) some people are kept awake by painful conditions such as arthritis, needing to urinate frequently, or similar systems.

Tarvin 2 People who have asthma are unable to sleep because of having breathing problems. Other medical problems can have a great interference with the length or quality of sleep. People who deal with insomnia may have a great affect on their social environment (MHC 2). Arguing with family members, watching exciting programs late at night, consuming caffeine, drinking great amounts of alcohol, or eating large meals close to bedtime may interfere with a person's sleep. In the majority, the real problem is emotional. Anxiety and internalized, unexpressed anger are common causes of sleeplessness. Depression is also a cause of insomnia (MHC 2).

Insomnia and Elderly People

Columbia Encyclopedia states elderly people who have trouble sleeping should do light exercise more during the day (1). Also, drinking warm milk could help some people asleep better (Columbia Encyclopedia 1). According to Capital Times poor sleeping is not caused by old age itself and is not treated by taking sleeping pills (1). It is also believed that researchers need to look at uncovering things such as room light, illness, and genetics to solve a problem that leads to worrying levels of millions of people who have insomnia (1). Many experiments have been done through the years to find out the exact causes of insomnia (Capital Times 1). Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) states as an individual becomes older, their sleeping pattern changes ...