Ayurveda and Sleep Disorders

These conditions affect a person’s ability to sleep properly. They might make it difficult to fall asleep, wake up frequently during the night, or wake up too early and not be able to go back to sleep. Some people might sleep too much but still feel tired. These issues can lead to feeling tired, irritable, or unable to focus during the day, and they can have a big impact on overall health and daily life.

Causes

1. Stress
2. Anxiety
3. Nocturea
4. Respiratory problems
5. Chronic pain - Arthritis, Headache, Backache

Conditions in sleep disorder

1. Insomnia
2. Hypersomnia
3. Sleep apnea
4. Parasomnia

Clinical features

1. Difficulty in sleeping

2. Stress

3. Anxiety

4. Lack of concentration

5. Irritability

6. Depression

7. Fatigue

1. Insomnia -

It is a condition in which their is lack of sleep known as insomnia.

It is divided into three types

(a) Chronic

(b) Intermittent

2. Hypersomnia -

It is a condition in which sleeping tendency increases then normal known as hypersomnia.

3. Sleep apnea -

- It is a condition characterized by pause in breathing during sleeping.

- It is a serious condition and sometimes life threating.

4. Parasomnia-

It is a class of sleep disorders in which persons behavior or movement during sleep is abnormal.

Example: sleep walking, sleep talking, bed wetting, grinding teeth.

Diagnosis

1. History taking.

2. Physical examination.

3. Blood test.

4. Polysomnography.

Treatment

1. Treat the underlying cause

2. Exercise

3. Meditation

4. Life style changes

5. Ristrict water intake at night in nocturea

6. Restrict sugar

7. Melatonin suppliment

8. Sleeping pills

9. Teeth guard in teeth grinding

10. Breathing device in sleep apnea.

Ayurvedic perspective for sleep(Nidra)

Nidra is one of the pillar of health in ayurveda. (Trayopasthambha)

1. Aahar

2. Brahmacharya

3. Nidra

Types of Nidra -

According to Charak Samhita Nidra is divided. into 6 types -

(a) Tamobhava : Due to increased tamas.

(b) Shleshmasamudbhava : Due to kapha imbalance.

(d) Agantuki : Caused by external factors ( injury,Trauma)

(e) Vyadhyanuvartini : Caused by diseases.

(f) Ratri swabhava prabhava : Natural sleep at night.

Sleep disorders in Ayurveda -

According to Charak Sutra 2,

1. Anidra ( Insomnia )

Due to aggrevation of vata dosh and disturbed rajas.

• Management -

- Shirodhara

- Abhyang

- Oil massage

• Herbs : Bramhi, Ashwagandha, Tagar.

2. Atinidra ( Hypersomnia )

It occurs due to imbalance in Kapha Dosha.

• Management - Panchkarma (vaman, virechan)

• Herbs : Shilajit, Pipli, Turmeric.

Causes of sleep disorders in ayurveda -

Imbalance in dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha )
Excess stress.
Overthinking disturbs Manas.
Poor dietary habits, excessive screen time.
Irregular sleeping routine.

Ayurvedic lifestyle recommendations for sleep disorders -

1. Dincharya ( daily routine ) : Early bedtime (10PM ) and waking up before sunrise.

2. Ahara ( dietary changes ) : Medhya rasayan, warm milk with turmeric, almond and honey.

Avoid spicy or caffeinated food before bed.

3. Yoga and meditation: practice yoga nidra,shavasana, meditation (to calm mind and body ).

Herbs for sleep disorders

1. Brahmi : Reduce stress and improves mental health.

2. Ashwagandha : A natural adaptogen to relive anxiety and fatigue.

3. Jatamansi : Calms the mind and improves sleep.

4. Tagar : Promotes deep sleep.

5. Shankhapushpi : Relives mental tension and promotes relaxation.

Panchakarma therapies

1. Shirodhara - continuous steam of medicated oil over the forehead for relaxation.

2. Nasya - Administration of medicated oil through the nostrils to balance dosha.

3. Basti Medicated enemas to pacify aggregated Vata dosha.

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