There are certain times in our lives when most of us find it difficult to fall asleep. While this can happen due to many reasons, it can be a sign of distress if this condition doesn’t improve with time. Insomnia, or the persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep is a common health issue that affects many people. In its simplest form, insomnia makes it difficult to start sleeping, stay asleep, or causes you to wake up too early and not be able to go back to sleep. As per Ayurveda, insomnia is not simply a sleep disorder but a result of imbalance in the body’s natural rhythm. Let us understand the symptoms of insomnia as per Ayurveda first.
Experiencing trouble with sleep can be more than just a brief restless night. These are typically very early signs of insomnia which could signal the onset of this sleep disorder. These are some of the early symptoms of insomnia:
Difficulty Falling Asleep: Some individuals who have insomnia have trouble falling asleep. This might cover sitting awake for long periods, being uneasy, or not being able to quiet the mind.
Waking Up At Night: Even after you sleep, you might wake up several times during the night. This hinders the sleep cycle and could make you feel too tired to do anything in the morning.
Waking Up Too Early: Another early sign is waking much earlier than anticipated and being unable to sleep again. This frequently leads to reduced total sleep time and exhaustion throughout the day.
These early symptoms could become more persistent and disruptive with time as insomnia progresses. Firstly, you might experience these issues a few nights a week though they might become more common with time. Recognising these initial signs can enable you to prevent insomnia from affecting your well being and daily functioning.
In case insomnia is chronic, symptoms may persist and get worse with time. These are some advanced symptoms and complications of extended insomnia :
Severe Fatigue and Exhaustion: Lack of restorative sleep with escalating insomnia can cause excessive daytime fatigue and difficulty doing regular tasks.
Poor Cognitive Function: Constant sleep deprivation can impact your cognitive functions like memory, attention, and decision making. Concentration and performing mentally challenging tasks become harder.
Mood Disorders: Sleep issues for a long time may contribute to anxiety and depression. Irritability and mood swings also occur more often.
Physical Health Decline: Extended insomnia might raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Weakened Immune System: Inadequate sleep deprives the body of strength, thereby making you much more prone to infections.
Preventing further health complications from extended insomnia requires understanding and addressing these advanced symptoms. In case sleep issues persist, get professional Ayurvedic help for managing and treating insomnia.
If you have difficulty falling asleep, frequently awakening, or waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep, it might be time to see an Ayurvedic expert. Ayurveda provides a balanced approach, focused on dealing with the root cause of your issue & not just the symptoms. Chronic fatigue, mood disturbances and reduced cognitive function are red flag signs that require treatment.
In case you experience any of these symptoms, consult an Ayurvedic expert for personalised advice. They can help you restore balance in the body and improve sleep naturally.
