Sleep Disorders is a sleep disorder characterised by an inability to sleep for a reasonable period of time. Despite all efforts to catch a few hours of sleep the person is unable to fall asleep. In the present day world with its fast paced life, this disease is widely prevalent. The disorder can either be transient, acute or chronic. In transient cases the duration of Sleep Disorders could last from one night to few weeks; in acute cases, the period of Sleep Disorders could last from three weeks to six months. And in the case of chronic Sleep Disorders, it could endure for an indefinitely long time.
Ayurveda considers Sleep Disorders to be a result of vitiated vata dosha arising out of several factors. It is vata that governs movement in the body and a vitiated vata creates environment conducive to the occurrence of Sleep Disorders.
Causes
This vata vitiation could be a result of fear and anxiety, restlessness, undue stress and strain, over indulgence in sex, eating heavy meals before retiring to bed, retiring to bed with an empty stomach , fasting, tension and stress, intake of drugs , caffeine and other stimulants, emotional tension, major injuries etc . These above mentioned factors hinder the smooth functioning of the nervous system which in turn lead to the vitiation of vata dosha and the resultant incidence of Sleep Disorders. It should also be realized that one need not have a vata type constitution for vata vitiation.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient's body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person's body humor (Dosha) - Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humors that creates Sleep Disorders.
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person's body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person's nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc .can also be learned through eye diagnosis. A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide.
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and doctors advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind. The commonly adopted prepurification therapies for Sleep Disorders are Abhyangam and Sirovasti .
Abhyangam means a full body massage done with bare hands, using warm herbal oil. The high penetration ability of the healing herbs helps surface the toxins inside the body, and ensures active blood circulation to afflicted areas. Other than its curing ability, the massage is also a wonderful revitalizing exercise to activate and stimulate the body nerves. Blood circulation to all body parts is enhanced helping the person to tone up his body and preserve youthfulness. The massage also rejuvenates the person's mind. He gets sound sleep and becomes free of mental tensions and distractions.
The treatment begins with active oil application. Oil of tolerable warmth is applied to the entire body of the person lying relaxingly on the treatment table. Oil is let to absorb into the skin for 4-5 minutes. Slow massage is then given, using the whole palm and fingers. Active massage is given on the vital parts, like the sole of feet, palms, fingertips etc., where more nerve ending are concentrated. This is continued for nearly 45/50 minutes and then the person is left to rest for about 15 minutes for the oil to act. The doctor generally recommends one or two weeks of this oil massage, along with oral medicines like Kashayam (decoction) Lehyam (semi solid), Choornam (powder) etc.
Sirovasthi is the retention of warm medicated oil over the head for a certain amount of time. This oil is a prepared mixture of gingelly oil, castor oil, ghee, common milk, and medicated herbs like bala, winter cherry, black gram, bacopa etc. Sirovasthi treatment is highly effective in the treatment of Sleep Disorders. There are special ways and methods in which the herbs and oils are boiled in order to extract their full medicinal properties.
The first step in Sirovasthi therapy starts with the application of warm herbal oil all over the body. This nourishes the nerve endings and prepares the body for the main treatment. The next step is to carefully fix an elongated leather cap around the person's head into which medicated oil of tolerable warmth is poured. The oil has to be retained on the head for about 30 to 45 minutes based on the person's tolerance level.
During this process, the therapeutic properties of the medicated oil acts on the person's brain and tunes up his central and autonomous nervous system. The brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and the sympathetic nerves receives the medicinal effects of the oil. As a result, various nerve disorders get mended and the mind gets relieved from conflicts and stress. The timing and periodicity of the treatment varies according to the condition of the patient . Usually, the treatment lasts for 7 or 14 days depending on the condition of the patient and the intensity of the disease for which the treatment is being meted out.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for Sleep Disorders are Nasyam,Virechanam and Vasti .
Nasyam is the pouring of herbal oil in drops in to the nostrils and inhaling the contents. This opens up the head channels and enables the herb extracts to act directly on the central nervous system. Nasyam treatment lasts for twenty to thirty minutes. The herbal oil is a blend of sesame oil mixed with herbs such as Sida plants,Bael, Vitex etc. Nasyam is highly effective in treating Sleep Disorders .
Virechanam consists of oral intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of the poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person.
Vasthi is an enema therapy and is considered the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment. In this form of treatment special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. It washes out all the toxins in the metabolic system through the digestive tract. It is highly recommended in the treatment of Sleep Disorders. As an effective rejuvenating health therapy, vasthi imparts high immunity and longevity and reduces degeneration of tissues.Dill seeds, honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in vasthi.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.
Oral medicines used for treating Sleep Disorders will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure Sleep Disorders. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams - semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Some of the herbs and spices used in the preparation of kashayams and lehyams for treating Sleep Disorders patients include nutmeg, garlic, valerian, brahmi, amla etc.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from Sleep Disorders during and after the treatment. They should consume vata pacifying foods. The intake of foods that are easy to digest should be encouraged. Fruits and vegetables are recommended and should be taken in abundant quantities. People with Sleep Disorders should neither over eat nor should they go to bed with an empty stomach.
Dinner should be taken between six and seven at night . Breakfast, lunch and dinner should be taken and one should not skip any meal. Drinking a glass of milk prior to going to bed will help one to have a sound and deep sleep. Foods that may lead to constipation should be avoided at all costs. One should drink large quantities of water throughout the day. Excess intake of tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. A daily intake of 1 cup of tomato juice with 2 tea spoonfuls of sugar and 2 pinches of nutmeg has been found to be very effective in Sleep Disorders patients.
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and re balance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself. Light yoga postures, meditations and breathing exercises are advised. As Sleep Disorders is closely allied with mental disturbance, meditation as a method to induce relaxation and soothing the mind. is highly beneficial. Deep regular breathing is advised.
Life Style for Sleep Disorders
Patients suffering from Sleep Disorders are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. They should undergo a regular oil massage that will help them stay healthy and vibrant. Fresh air and a short walk daily is also advised. A warm water shower bath before going to bed would help one to have a very sound sleep. One should avoid stress and tension in their daily lives and should not view television for long periods before going to bed . Over indulgence in sex before retiring to bed should not be encouraged. They should avoid every thing that may make their minds get excited. Washing the legs with cold water before retiring to bed, drinking a glass of warm milk, massaging the legs with sesame oil or brahmi oil, offering a small prayer to god and maintaining a calm and cool mind will guarantee one a deep and sound sleep and exonerate one from the clutches of Sleep Disorders.
