Insomnia, the most prevalent sleep disorder affecting 10- 15 % general population worldwide and is characterized by an individual's reporting symptoms like difficulty in sleep, long sleep latency, frequent awakenings, or prolonged periods of wakefulness during the sleep and frequent transient arousals that affects the individual’s quality of life.

Various studies have noted insomnia to be quite a common condition with symptoms present in about 33–50% of the adult population and affects 20-30% of the clinical population.

Despite these high prevalence rates, evidence suggests that insomnia is mostly under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated, with the condition continuing to remain persistent in 50–85% of individuals over follow-up intervals of one to several years.

Factors responsible:

While the cause of this increased risk of Insomnia is not well defined but several factors can be considered that includes:

• Psychiatric disorders.
• Anxiety & Stress
• Depression
• Comorbid medical conditions
• Social stigma/ Diseases like Vitiligo
• Study induced stress
• Onset of Menses & menopause
• Older adults work stress
• Old Age
• Family issues.

It is estimated that 40% of insomnia patients have comorbid psychiatric disorders in which stress, anxiety & depression are the commonest.

Existing treatment & its drawbacks

There are several strategies to manage chronic insomnia.To initiate treatment, it is necessary to define it and differentiate it from other co-morbid psychiatric disorders. The available treatment regime is as follows -

• Non-pharmacological Strategies: Stimulus control therapy, relaxation & cognitive therapy, sleep restriction and Sleep hygiene education.
• Pharmacological Therapy: It includes different agents like non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (zopiclone, zolpidem, and zaleplon) are the first line of management followed by benzodiazepines, amitryptiline and antihistaminics.

This drug treatment is indicated for patients as short term alleviation but insufficient for long term management. However long term use of these available treatment can lead to the following adverse effects:

• Dependence
• Discontinuation syndrome
• Blunting of emotions
• Psychomotor impairment
• Most threatening Sedation & tolerance.

Ayurveda: A better regime

As Ayurveda is always known for its action on the root cause. There are several herbs and classical ayurvedic preparations which have potent and effective therapeutic actions to fight against Insomnia without causing any adverse effects, especially Sedation. Following herbs are found to be very effective in insomnia:

• Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) - Supplements alkaloids that stimulates nicotine receptors, enhance cognition & memory.
• Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulate) & bhringraj (Eclipta alba) - Supplements phenols that protects neurons against oxidative stress & metabolic stress thus relieves anxiety & stress.
• Safed musli (Aspargus adscendens): supplements terpenoids & saponins that revitalizes & strengthens nervous functions thus helps in ADHD.
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Vach (acorus calamus) & Mandukparni (Centella asiatica) - supplements flavonoids thus overcome neurodegeneration

Herbs mentioned above are the choice of therapy to manage insomnia without causing sedation but because of this captivated schedule of day to day life it is very tough to prepare a remedy for these herbs at home. Solving this inconvenience and clubbing all the benefits of herbs, Aimil pharmaceuticals offers a combination of these herbs with a brand name MEMTONE in syrup and tablet form not only manages insomnia but also benefits in improving memory & concentration.