Caffeine is one of those things that you might ingest even if you make valid attempts not to. It is addictive and it shows up in all types of food and drinks. Caffeine is also found in many prescription medications which many people do not know about. Caffeine as most know it is something that is in cola, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Most people also know that caffeine can cause insomnia which is why many people avoid such drinks as pop and coffee in the evening hours. Yet, millions of Americans begin their day with a fresh hot cup of coffee or tea because they claim it gives them the boost that they need to get going.

Besides being addictive, caffeine stimulates the brain in ways similar to amphetamines and even though it is much milder, it still stimulates the brain similar to that of a drug. Caffeine is linked to many cases of insomnia, as a matter of fact it is the biggest substance linked to insomnia. Another way that caffeine can hinder sleep is because it is a diuretic which stimulates the kidneys causing people to have to urinate more frequently than normal and very often throughout the night.

It is said that only 100-200 milligrams of caffeine can relieve drowsiness. Having said that, consider the following, 1 espresso has 200 mgs of caffeine, 1 cup of coffee has 100mgs of caffeine, a 12 oz can of cola has 45 mgs of caffeine, 1 Midol has 32 mgs and 1 Excedrin has 85 mgs. Now take a look at this, a cup of decaf coffee only has 3 mgs of caffeine and since caffeine has no flavor, color or odor, there sure can not be any reason that you can not enjoy that cup of coffee any time that you want to and still be able to get to sleep at night.

Some people are sensitive to caffeine while others are not but if you find a relationship between a bad night’s sleep and your caffeine intake that does not mean that you can not enjoy a cup of coffee or even a cola, just make sure they are caffeine free. The most common sources of caffeine are coffee, cocoa beans, cola nuts, and tea leaves. The amount of caffeine that is in products depends on the serving size, the product, and how it is prepared. People differ greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine and many develop a tolerance for it.

Many people feel a jittery feeling from caffeine and learn very quickly to avoid caffeine after a certain time if they plan on sleeping. Caffeine increases the secretion of stress hormones such as adrenaline so if a person is already secreting higher stress hormones then caffeine could cause a rapid increase that would definitely trigger a period of insomnia. People usually do not give a lot of thought to their caffeine intake but believe it or not, caffeine used to be used in clinical settings to induce panic attacks in patients. That gives you something to think about!

Menopause has many unwelcome surprises for women but the biggest complaint is insomnia. Falling asleep may not be particularly difficult but it is staying asleep that becomes the problem. These episodes may or may not include night sweats or extreme warmth, extremely vivid dreams, or intense anxiety that is almost in the form of panic. Often there may be no cause at all for a woman to wake in the middle of the night and just can not go back to sleep. Experts do know that hormonal imbalances can put a woman’s system right out of whack causing extreme hot flashes which could be the reason that the body can not return to a state of sleep because the body has to return to its normal temperature first.

More recent research has shown that maybe it is not night sweats and body temperature at all that contributes to menopausal insomnia. In fact, it may be that the drop of serotonin, which is the brains natural chemical, may be the culprit as this happens automatically when estrogen levels decline. There is no doubt that there is a definite relationship between menopause and insomnia and very often the insomnia can begin up to 7 years before the actual onset of menopause. Most have heard people refer to menopausal women as being irritable and nothing less than moody.

The reason for this is a combination of lack of sleep that results in added stress, which then manifests into a higher degree of moodiness. Menopausal women experience a high lack of REM sleep which is the deepest level of sleep and the one that is most necessary. Lack of this sleep can really cause menopausal women to become extra irritable. It can not be understated the importance of a woman getting her proper rest at this critical time.

Visit your doctor and he should be able to give you some hormone replacements which will stabilize your hormones resulting in a good nights rest. There are also herbal remedies available such as vitamin replacements and herbal teas that promote sleep. Don’t feel alone and don’t hesitate, address the importance of your insomnia right away so you can rest easy once again. Perhaps you can start an exercise regimen or start taking yoga or meditating to cleanse your mind, body, and soul.

In combination these will all promote better overall health which could possibly balance out the insomnia. Caffeine is one thing that should be avoided at all costs during menopause as it will only add to the inability to sleep. Menopausal women may find that there are certain conditions or products that trigger an insomnia spree, and as these triggers are discovered, they can then be avoided.

Menopause already makes a woman feel tired and drained and it can vary quite a bit from woman to woman but it is almost guaranteed that it will surface. As the estrogen and progesterone fluctuate many symptoms will develop in certain ways that lead to increased insomnia. The best things that you can do are work with your doctor and take his advice and together you will work through this difficult time.

Often when people are experiencing insomnia they are quick to grab an over the counter medication in the hopes of remedying the problem. These medications can have more negative effects than anything else. Therefore, many turn to herbal remedies and attempt to battle their insomnia in a more natural fashion. There are several herbal choices that can be extremely beneficial in treating insomnia. Many of the herbal remedies that are on the market today actually mirror some prescription drugs minus the sometimes complicated and unpleasant side effects. For example, many use St. John Wort for anxiety rather than going on some other drug like Zoloft, Paxil, or Prozac.

The leaves of the catnip plant are known to cause sedation in humans. The only problem with this approach is that there is no designated dose to take, however it is safe for humans to consume. Because of the problem with accurate doses, it is not a good idea for small children to use it and also it should not be used by women who are pregnant. The great thing about catnip is that it can easily be grow at home, as a matter of fact; many people who choose herbal remedies have herb gardens at home. Just like Ritalin has a counter affect similar to a stimulant when those who do not have ADHD take it, the same is true with catnip. In adults, catnip provides a very soothing and calming affect but in cats it acts as a stimulant. So keep kitty away from the herb garden.

Chamomile herb has been used for thousands of years to treat insomnia. Apigenin is a chemical in chamomile that causes the muscles to relax and initiates sleep. In laboratories, chamomile has been proven to produce a mild sedative and anti-anxiety effect in mice. Again, it has not been determined as of yet exactly how much chamomile had to be dosed to be sedative. It is safe for human consumption and can be used by pregnant women as well as those that are breastfeeding. Those who should not use chamomile are people who are allergic to ragweed. Chamomile is available it its original form or in pre packaged tea bags.

Other herbal products are worth looking into such as Hops, Kava, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Oats, Passion Flower, Skullcap, and Valerian. All of these herbs have sedative and relaxing properties. While these herbal supplements are very safe for human consumption and are also very safe, if you are taking any prescription medications you should cross check those before taking anything to ensure that there are no interactions.

When insomnia becomes severe doctors are often left with no choice but to prescribe heavy sedatives that induce sleep and while the patient will likely get sleep many have complained of bizarre dreams while sleeping on these medications and the inability to function normally the next day. This is why many people come to embrace treating their insomnia naturally so they can avoid the day after effects. Herbal remedies do not have any next day complications at all.