Ayurvedic Treatment for Sleep Disorders in Kerala
Ayurveda is a time-tested Indian system of medicine that is increasingly finding global acceptance too. There are several ayurveda hospitals in Kochi offering remedies for sleep disorders. Some of the ayurvedic treatments for sleep disorders in Kerala include holistic treatments like Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Nasya, Panchakarma therapy and several herbal medications. These ayurvedic treatments should however be carried out carefully under the guidance of an experienced ayurvedic practitioner who understands the patients’ unique needs.
Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders manifest in a variety of ways and can lead to a multitude of problems including anxiety, depression and problems in paying attention to work. Here’s a closer look at some of the signs and symptoms associated with sleep disorders:
- 01 People with sleep disorders have problems falling asleep; this usually results in staying awake for long periods while in bed.
- 02 Another difficulty faced by such people is difficulty in staying asleep or waking up frequently at night, resulting in fragmented sleep.
- 03 Such people end up feeling excessively tired and sleepy during the daytime.
- 04 Those experiencing sleep disorders also have restless irregular sleep and wake cycles, resulting in tossing and turning, and even sleepwalking!
- 05 Such people can also experience frequent vivid nightmares.
- 06 Sleep disorders can result in loud, disruptive snoring too – a sign of sleep apnea.
- 07 Chronic sleep deprivation can eventually lead to low mood and energy levels and multiple other health problems.
What are the common sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders can affect your health negatively and affect people of all ages. Here’s a look at some common sleep disorders:
Insomnia
This is one of the commonest sleep disorders and can be brought on by anxiety, depression, stress or other medical conditions. It is characterized by difficulties in falling asleep and staying asleep.
Restless leg syndrome
This is an interesting sleep disorder where the person has an irresistible urge to keep moving the legs – whether in a sitting position or lying down. This results in interreference with natural sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue.
Sleep apnea
This type of sleep disorder is characterized by interruptions in breathing – by up to 10 seconds at a time! Sleep apnea is due to partial or complete blockage of the airways and leads to fragmented or interrupted sleep. The person usually wakes up from the resultant low oxygen saturation with a choking or gasping sound. Sleep apnea can also lead to other health issues.
Parasomnias
These are a group of sleep disorders that involve abnormal or undesirable physical events during sleep that end up disrupting sleep. Some of the abnormal events associated with parasomnia include sleepwalking, sleep talking, bedwetting or experiencing night terrors. Parasomnia can be triggered by sleep apnea and some medicines.
Narcolepsy
This is a type of chronic sleep disorder or neurological disorder that’s characterized by sudden uncontrolled sleep attacks and daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy may also experience cataplexy or sudden loss of muscle tone – usually triggered by strong emotions. Some medications like anti-depressants or stimulants might help.
Jet lag
This temporary sleep disorder results from a mismatch between a new time zone and the person’s daily rhythm. It usually occurs when the body’s internal clock is not in sync with a new time zone and happens when the individual travels through multiple time zones in quick succession. As expected, the prevailing symptoms are fatigue and difficulty in concentrating. Jet lag is a type of Circadian rhythm disorder which also includes shift work disorder.
Hypersomnia
This is a medical condition where the person feels excessively sleepy and tired. It’s not due to any underlying disease, but due to lack of sleep, extreme exertion, jet lag, pregnancy, consuming a large meal, or use of alcohol or marijuana, etc.
Bruxism
A sleep disorder characterized by excessive grinding of teeth or clenching of jaw during day or night. Bruxism can result in damaged teeth, headaches, jaw pain, etc.
Causes of Sleep Disorders
While there are many types of sleep disorders, there are also multiple causes behind them. While some causes of sleep disorders could be due to lifestyle factors, others could be due to environmental factors or underlying medical conditions. Some of the causes of your abnormal sleep could be triggered by stress and anxiety disorders, prevailing pain from health conditions or certain medications which interfere with sleep patterns. Other causes of sleep disorders could be aging, disruptive work habits, disruption of the Circadian rhythm cycle, uncomfortable sleep environment or due to substance abuse (caffeine, alcohol, nicotine), which also interferes with sleep.
When to See a Doctor for Sleep Disorders
If you are experiencing any persisting problems related to sleeping, you should see a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment, to improve your life quality.
Some of the signs that you need to see a doctor include difficulty falling or staying asleep, feeling excessive sleepiness during the day that interferes with daytime activities or feeling anxiety, agitation or vivid nightmares during sleep. Other signs include sleepwalking, loud snoring, gasping for breath during sleep, waking up with headaches or dry-mouth, having trouble with memory/concentration, etc. Having heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression or other physical and mental health issues also affects sleep disorders.
Complications of Sleep Disorders
If you are experiencing the symptoms of sleep disorders, then it’s better to get its underlying cause treated at the earliest. This is because when sleep disorders are left untreated, there is the potential for other complications to develop too. Here’s a look at some of the associated complications of sleep disorders:
- 01 Sleep disorders can have a significant impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of the person, reducing quality of life, increasing problems at work/school and household/family issues.
- 02 They can also lead to excessive daytime fatigue which affects the ability to function both physically and mentally during the day.
- 03 Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders can also lead towards development of mood disorders such as irritability, aggression, depression or anxiety disorders.
- 04 Impaired cognitive functions can arise as a result of chronic sleep deprivation too. This can lead to complications such as forgetfulness and loss of concentration, memory and decision-making abilities.
- 05 There is also the possibility of cardiovascular problems arising from sleep disorders such as apnea. It could lead to complications of high blood pressure, heart attacks or strokes.
- 06 With daytime fatigue and impaired cognitive function associated with sleep disorders, there is an increased risk for road accidents while driving too.
How Ayurveda can be used to treat Sleep Disorders
The Indian system of medicine, ayurveda, follows a holistic approach towards sleep disorder treatments, by first balancing the vata, kapha and pitta doshas. This ayurvedic approach of detox therapies is best provided by ayurvedic doctors. Here’s a look at some ayurvedic treatments for sleep disorders:
- 01 Ayurvedic herbs/medicines for sleep disorders such as Brahmi, Ashwagandha and Jatamansi are very useful in improving sleep quality, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
- 02 Ayurvedic treatments focus on the importance of practicing a healthy lifestyle, including a wholesome balanced diet, regular exercise and yoga and meditation – all great for stress management and better sleep.
- 03 Warm medicated oil body massages known as Abhyanga are well-known for relaxing the mind and body, promoting better sleep and managing insomnia.
- 04 Panchakarma is another excellent ayurvedic treatment for sleep disorders in Kerala that helps get rid of toxins from the body, boost metabolism and balance out the doshas – or body energies. It ultimately leads to better health and improved sleep.
- 05 Oil-based ayurveda treatments include the use of ayurvedic oils such as coconut oil, sesame oil or ghee, which are ideal for massage or for internal consumption. These help in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
- 06 Other ayurvedic treatments include Shirodhara, Shiroabhyanga and Vasti.
Yoga in Sleep Disorders
Yoga practice, an ancient Indian way of life, combines physical body postures (asanas) with breathing techniques and meditation, and makes an excellent therapy for those with sleep disorders. Yoga practice is great for improving overall health, mindfulness, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Here is a look at how yoga helps in sleep disorders:
- 01 Yoga asanas and breathing regulation techniques help improve sleep quality. Yoga asanas such as yoga Nidra and restorative yoga can actually help in reducing symptoms of insomnia.
- 02 Yoga also helps to promote relaxation and reduce stress by reducing cortisol levels which are liable to interfering with normal sleep.
- 03 Certain yoga asanas are known to increase melatonin production - a hormone well-known for promoting sleep. These asanas include the child’s pose and the forward bend which work by stimulating the pineal gland, leading to an increased production of the sleep regulating hormone, melatonin.
- 04 Interestingly, yoga breathing techniques that improve respiratory function, are known to promote relaxation and improve the quality of sleep. These breathing techniques can include diaphragmatic breathing and alternate nostril breathing.
- 05 Yoga postures such as the downward dog and the bridge pose can also help in improving circulation which in turn reduces tension in the body, leading to improved sleep quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is best ayurvedic therapy for sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are of many types, hence it’s impossible to pick one and say it’s the best ayurvedic therapy. Having said that, some of the best ayurvedic therapy for sleep disorders include Abhyanga (warm oil massage), Shirodhara, Shiroabhyanga and Vasti, ayurvedic herb formulations (containing Brahmi, ashwagandha, jatamansi, etc.), specific yoga asanas (that reduce cortisol and promote relaxation), etc.
Which dosha causes sleep problems?
According to ayurveda, the doshas perform various functions, including affecting the sleep pattern. There are three main types of doshas; an increase in the kapha dosha causes sleepiness in a person. An increase in the vata or pitta doshas on the other hand, can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia. These imbalances may follow physical or mental exertion or even some disease.
Is it normal to have a sleeping disorder?
It is completely normal for a person to experience sleep problems once in a while. However, having difficulties falling asleep or having problems related to sleeping on a regular basis, could mean you have a sleep disorder. This could be in response to some other underlying health issue too and it’s always better to see a doctor at the earliest.
How can I prevent sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders can be easily treated with lifestyle changes and some medications if there are no underlying cause for your sleep disorder. However, you too can take some steps to prevent sleep disorders from happening by sticking to regular bed timings, leading an active life, avoiding/limiting caffeine and alcohol at bedtime, avoiding in-between naps or having heavy meals before bedtime.
Can insomnia be cured permanently with ayurvedic treatment?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder where it’s hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Ayurveda offers permanent help for those suffering from insomnia with the use of certain ayurvedic herbal formulations which contain herbs like ashwagandha, Brahmi, valerian, etc. Since ayurveda focuses on getting rid of insomnia from its roots, it’s your best choice of holistic treatment for insomnia.
Best Ayurvedic Treatment for Sleep Disorders in Kerala
The verdant southern state of Kerala is well-known for its authentic practice of ayurveda. Which is why you will find some of the best ayurvedic treatment centers for sleep disorders in Cochin, Kerala. Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital provides one of the best sleep disorders treatments in Kerala where the treatment is designed around each individual’s unique needs. Some of the natural ayurvedic treatments for sleep disorders in Kerala include the following:
- 01 Abhyanga is a warm oil massage of the body that helps soothe mind and body and induce sleep.
- 02 Shirodhara is an excellent ayurveda treatment that involves pouring a steady flow of warm oil on the forehead. It helps calm the mind and promote sleep.
- 03 Pizhichil is an ayurvedic insomnia treatment in Kerala, where warm herbal oil is poured on the body and simultaneously massaged, thus promoting relaxation and better sleep.
- 04 Nasyam ayurvedic treatment helps decongest the nasal airways which could interfere with sleep.
- 05 Ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha, Brahmin and jatamansi are excellent in treating sleep disorders, including ayurvedic sleep apnea treatment in Kerala.
- 06 The Panchakarma detoxification treatment is useful in cleansing the body off toxins and promoting general wellbeing and overall health – something that’s necessary for good sleep!
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