This document provides an overview of sleep (nidra) according to Ayurveda. It discusses the types and causes of sleep, healthy and unhealthy sleep habits, appropriate timing and duration of sleep, and creating a healthy sleep environment. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important for restoring the body and mind, and both insufficient and excessive sleep can negatively impact health and well-being. The document also examines similar states to sleep like tiredness, yawning, and fainting that can be caused by imbalances in the doshas.
This document provides an overview of sleep (nidra) according to Ayurveda. It discusses the types and causes of sleep, healthy and unhealthy sleep habits, appropriate timing and duration of sleep, and creating a healthy sleep environment. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important for restoring the body and mind, and both insufficient and excessive sleep can negatively impact health and well-being. The document also examines similar states to sleep like tiredness, yawning, and fainting that can be caused by imbalances in the doshas.
This document provides an overview of sleep (nidra) according to Ayurveda. It discusses the types and causes of sleep, healthy and unhealthy sleep habits, appropriate timing and duration of sleep, and creating a healthy sleep environment. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important for restoring the body and mind, and both insufficient and excessive sleep can negatively impact health and well-being. The document also examines similar states to sleep like tiredness, yawning, and fainting that can be caused by imbalances in the doshas.
This document provides an overview of sleep (nidra) according to Ayurveda. It discusses the types and causes of sleep, healthy and unhealthy sleep habits, appropriate timing and duration of sleep, and creating a healthy sleep environment. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important for restoring the body and mind, and both insufficient and excessive sleep can negatively impact health and well-being. The document also examines similar states to sleep like tiredness, yawning, and fainting that can be caused by imbalances in the doshas.
AYURVEDA FOR POSITIVE HEALTH An Online Study Program
PART II. LESSON 8
NIDRA : SLEEP
The ahara is mainly concerned with the energy production and maintenance of living tissues. The nidra is the one which provide complete relaxation to the body and mind and thereby it restores the potentials of the individual. The brahmacharya (celibacy) is concerned with disciplined mode of sexual life and reproduction.
According to darsanas, there are four avasthas or states of mind and atma. They are v Jaagratavastha v Svapnavastha v Sushuptiavastha v Tureeyavastha
v Jaagradavastha- In this phase, the person is able to perceive subject via panchendriyas v Svapnavastha- This is the phase of sleep in which the person experiences some feelings depending upon what he has done or perceived during the jaagratavastha. v Sushuptiavastha- This also is a phase of sleep but nothing is experienced by the person. Only the life sustaining vital functions (like respiration, circulation etc) happen. v Tureeyavastha- This is experienced only by yogis. Due to aadhikya in satva guna, the person has full control over his nidra and there is no effect of tamoguna on this phase.
In nidra, both the Svapnavastha and Sushuptiavastha are included.
According to yoga sastra, nidra is that function of mind which blocks all the perception done by the mind. During nidra the mind is subjected to the feeling from inside i.e. from the mind itself.
NIDRA-WHEN AND WHY?
Charakacharya explains the nidra as a special state of mind in which the mind is not associated with any type of indriyas. This detachment from the external stimuli is resulted from the tiredness of body as well as mind. Kapha dosha and tamoguna are responsible for sleep.
According to Susrutacharya, the nidra occurs when the chetanaasthaanam i.e. hrdaya(heart)is covered by tamoguna.
For vaagbhata, nidra is tamomoola and tamomayi. The night is tamo adhika, by its nature. This tamo aadhikya contributes to the nidra as nidra itself is tamomoola and tamomayi. In addition when the mind becomes tamo adhika and/or body becomes kaphaadhika (which is the bodily counterpart of tamoguna) indriyas become inactive and nidra happens.
EFFECTS OF NIDRA The physiological change during sleep is best manifested in the heart. The heart or hrdaya is compared with a lotus flower which blooms in the day time and withers in the night time. Similarly the hrdaya droops when the person sleeps. The body achieves the proper relaxation and rest through the sleep. Thus nidra is as important as nutritious food for the maintenance of health.
Charakacharya opines that the sukha & duhkha, pushti & kaarsya, bala & abala, vrshata & kleebata, jnana & ajnana and the very presence and absence of life depend on the management of sleep pattern. A well modulated sleep pattern surely brings delight and longevity to the person.
Susrutacharya also has similar opinion. He says that the nidra brings bala, varna, vrshyata to the person and the body of such persons may be well built but not obese. The lifespan of such a person may extend up to hundred years.
Bhaavamisra opines that the nidra in the proper time provide dhatusaamya, absence of tandra, pushti, varna, bala and utsaaha. In addition it also causes agnideepti.
THE DURATION AND TIME OF NIDRA Susrutacharya says that the person should sleep for a moderate time period only. This is so relevant because the nidra at an improper time and duration cannot produce any desirable effect but the effect of such nidra may be like the effect of kaala raatri.
Hence the effect of nidra strictly depends on the proper timing.
Why such restriction in the time and duration of nidra has been suggested by acharyas? It is because the deprivation of sleep during night and sleeping in the day time are equally disagreeable to health for, they alter the equilibrium of dosha of body considerably.
Still Susrutacharya advocates that one should follow the timing of sleep, to which he is accustomed, without any difference. If it is saatmya, the nidra at any time wont alter the doshavastha. TYPES OF NIDRA According to Charakacharya as well as Vaagbhatacharya, there are 7 types of nidra. But Susrutacharya opines that there are 6 types of nidra.
7 types of nidra
v Taamasa nidra: the nidra due to the increased tamo guna of the manas v Kaphaja nidra: the nidra due to the increased kapha dosha in the body v Manah sramabhava nidra: the nidra due to the exhaustion of manas or mind v Sareera sramabhava nidra: the nidra due to the exhaustion of sareera or body v Aagantukee nidra: the nidra which forecasts death v Vyaadhyanuvartinee nidra: the nidra which occurs due to some diseases v Praakrtika nidra: the natural form of nidra which happens in nights.
Among these 7 types of nidra the paakrtika nidra is the only desirable one. It is also called bhootdhaatri as it fosters the living things as their mother. The Taamasa nidra is the worst as it is the root cause of each and every sin. The remaining 5 reveal the unhealthy state only and they should be regarded as diseases.
6 types of nidra v Vaishnavi: it is the one which is included under the upastambha v group. As it is so helpful to the maintenance of the healthy state of an individual (just like the lord Vishnu maintain the harmony of universe) it is called vaishnavi. v Taamasi: it is the form nidra which occurs due to excess tamas or kapha in the sanjnaavahasrotas. v Nidra in tamoguna persons: here the nidra comes irrespective of day and night. v Nidra in rajo guna persons: here the nidra can come at any time irrespective of day and night. But this may not happen always. v Nidra in satva guna persons: here the sleep comes only in midnight v Vaikaariki: it is the form of nidra resulted from some disease.
SIMILAR CONDITIONS LIKE NIDRA As per Susrutacharya, tandra is similar state like nidra but with increased gaurava, jrmbha and klama. Nidra like conditions can be produced by abnormality of indriyas as well as increased tamas. Saarngadharacharya opines that nidra is produced by the action of tamas and kapha while moorchha is produced by tamas and pitta. Bhranti happens due to the influence of rajas and pitta and tandra is produced by tamas and vaayu.
Hence the conditions similar to nidra can be counted as follows: 1. Tandraa- is a condition characterised by reduced acuity of perception, yawning and tiredness. This condition is similar to intense urge for sleep. This may be correlated with stupor. This is caused by the increase of tamas,vaata and kapha.
2. Jrmbhaa- yawning
3. Klama- usually fatigue occurs after physical labour. A condition of tiredness without prior physical exertion is called klama. It may be roughly correlated with exhaustion.
4. Aalasyam- Laziness. It is the lack of interest to work. Technically it is the aptitude for rest and the aversion for work even when the person is having sufficient physical strength for doing work.
5. Glaani- is a state characterised by abnormal sweet taste in mouth, stupor, nausea, giddiness and anorexia
6. Gauravam- feeling of heaviness, as though wrapped in wet leather.
7. Moorcchaa- fainting caused by the increase of pitta and tamas.
8. Bhramaa- giddiness due to the increase of rajas, pitta and vaata.
SAYANA VIDHI The Vaagbhatacharya suggests that a person can go to bed for sleep after taking light but healthy supper. He should avoid all the distressing thoughts and thus clean the mind. Just before sleeping one should think about the almighty God. He can use a pillow which is comfortable for him. The bed should be covered with clean bed linen and it should be wide and even and should be comfortable for the person.
The sayanavidhi formulated by Bhaavamisra also convey the idea about the qualities and effect of different sayya or bed as well as the place to sleep. He opines that sleeping on bed with good qualities is hrdya and vrshya. It removes the tiredness of body and mind and provides pushti, dhrti and sound sleep. Sleeping on cot is tridoshasamana. Sleeping on bed which is filled with feather is kapha vaatahara. Sleeping on floor provides brmhana and vrshyata and reduces the pitta and rakta doshas. Sleeping on plank is vatala. Sleeping in the moonlight is seeta and provides smraananda. It reduces trshna, daaha and pitta. Compared to this, sleeping in the avasyaya is of less qualities because it may cause vaata kaphakopa. Sleeping in complete darkness may frighten the individual because when gets up from sleep suddenly one can not identify the place and direction due to extreme darkness. But it is pitta kapha Samana and kaamavardhana. It creates klama.
UNHEALTHY NIDRA HABITS There are two types of sleep habits which are described as totally unhealthy in nature. They are divaasvapna and raatrijaagarana
Divaasvapana Night is the accepted time for nidra and sleeping in the day time is contra indicated as it may produce sleshma pitta kopa.
There are some special occasions in which sleeping in day time is indicated. They can be categorized as follows: v In relation with rtu v In relation with diseases v In relation with activities v In special category individuals
In relation with rtu:
Divaasvapna is indicated in greeshma rtu to all the individuals. This is because, o Greeshma rtu comes under aadana kaala which characterised by rookshana svabhaava. This causes vaata vrddhi. Inorder to reduce this effect divaasvapna can be performed. o The duration of night is much reduced in greeshma rtu. In order to get the required sleep, one can sleep in the day time also.
In relation with diseases:
That there are some diseases in which, divaasvapna is indicated to reduce the tiredness and other ill effects caused by these diseases. They include o Trshna o Soola o Hikka o Jeernaatisaara o Svaasa o Ajeerna o Kshata In relation with activities:
Divaasvapna can be performed following the activities like, o Singing o Long lecture o Consumption of alcohol o Sexual intercourse o Sodhana therapy o Weight lifting o Walking long distances o Traveling in vehicles o Deprivation of sleep in night o Emotional outbursts
Divaasvapna just before the intake of food is favorable as it improves the digestive capacity.
In special category individuals: o Vrddha (old people) o Baala (children) o Abala (weak people) o Krsa (lean people) o Those who are accustomed to the divaasvapna
Here, the divaasvapna brings about dhaatusaamya, bala, sleshmavrddhi, sthairya or stability of body parts and life.
DIVAASVAPNA CONTRA INDICATIONS.
Divaasvapna is generally contra indicated in all rtus except greeshma as it may cause sleshma pitta kopa. In addition, in the following categories also, the divaasvapna is strictly contra indicated o Obese individuals o Those who take fatty substances daily o Kapha prakrti individuals o Those who suffer from kapharogas o Those who suffer from doosheevisha
Yoga ratnaakarakaara opines that the sleeping after the intake of food is so unhealthy that it causes kopana of all the three doshas.
The adverse effects of divaasvapna in totally contra indicated conditions:
The performance of divaasvapna in totally contraindicated conditions may produce certain complications like haleemaka, sirassoola, staimitya, gaatragaurava, angamarda, agni maandya, hrllepa, sotha, arochaka, hrllasa, peenasa, arddhavabhedaka, kotha, arumshika, pitaka, kandu, tandra, kaasa, galaroga, smrtibhramsa, buddhibhramsa, srotorodha, jvara, lack of ability of indriyas, vishavegapravartana in vishaartas. But sleeping in sitting posture is neither abhishyandi nor rookshana.
Raatrijaagaranam As stated elsewhere the night is the suitable time for sleep and it should be used for sleeping. The deprivation of sleep in night time is extremely rookshana and it causes vaatapitta vrddhi. But raatrijaagaranam is indicated in those who suffer from kapha or medas or visha.
Nidra- one of the vegaas Vegas are the natural urges which should not be controlled deliberately. Nidra is one among the 13 vegas. The dhaarana of nidraavega may cause moha,gaurava of sirah and akshi, aalasya, jrmbha and angamarda. The treatment that can be given to these symptoms is nothing but to allow the individual to sleep. Gentle touch also can promote sleep.
Nidraanaasa Nidraa naasa is nothing but the inability to sleep in night. This may be caused by vaatadosha or pittadosha or due to manastaapa, sosha or abhighata.
The causes of nidraanaasa can be tabulated as follows: Treatment processes Virechana, nasya, vamana, dhoomapaana, raktamokshana, atiyoga of atinidraa treatment Feelings Bhaya, chintaa, krodha
Other factors Kaarya, kaala, vikaara, prakrti, vaatavrddhi
Nidraanaasa may cause angamarda, sirogurutva, jrmbha, jaadya, glaani, bhrama, apakti, tandraa and other rogas caused by vaata dosha.
TREATMENT FOR NIDRAANAASA:
There are some effective guidelines to get sound sleeps. They include, the usage of the following processes and products like abhyanga (external application of oil), utsaadanam, snaana, intake of graamya, anoopa or audaka variety of meat, saaliannam, milk , curd, fatty food items, alcoholic beverages, relaxed mind, pleasant smell, pleasing sound, gentle touch, akshi tarpana, sirolepa, vadanalepa, goodbed bedlinen, appropriate time for sleep etc.
Atinidraa Atinidraa is caused by increased kapha in the srotas which may lead to gaatra gaurava. Gaatra gaurava causes aalasya which in turn results in nidra. This is not at all favourable for the body as well as mind. Prognosis of atinidraa
Atinidraa if not exceeded 1 days, is saadhya and beyond that it is asaadhya.
Ayurvedic glossary of nidra (sleep) Aalasya - laziness Alpanidrataa - reduced sleep Anidrataa - insomnia Asvapnah - sleeplessness Atisvapnah - excessive sleep Bahusvapnah - excessive sleep Jaagaranam - keeping awake Jrmbhaa - yawning Klama - exhaustion Mada - intoxication Mahaasvapnah - excessive sleep Moorcchaa - fainting Nidra - sleep Nidraabhaava - insomnia Nidraabhramsa - interrupted sleep Nidraahaani - lack of sleep Nidraanaasa - insomnia Nidraaviparyaya - day sleep and night awakening Nistandrataa - lack of tiredness in spite of not sleeping Prajaaagaranam - keeping awake Sayana - 1) sleep 2) lying down Svapna - 1) sleep 2) dream Svapnanityataa - excessive sleep Sannyaasa - coma Tandraa - stupor Unnidrataa - inability to sleep Vinidrataa - insomnia
SLEEP-the modern aspect of nidra Sleep is a physiological phase of unawakening that exists between two phases of normal and routine awakening. It is a period of rest for the body and mind during which bodily functions are partially suspended and sensitivity to the external stimuli is diminished, but readily or easily regained.
Clinical features of sleep: Usually a person sleeps about 8 hours in a 24 hours period. During sleep v The person appears to be cut off from the environment v The threshold for various sensory stimulations are substantially raised v Muscle tones fall and muscle relax v Blood pressure, heart rate and rectal temperature fall, respirations become slower but deeper.
Some persons snore due to the fact that relaxed tongue in supine posture partly obstructs the air passage.
Sleep rhythm Animals and humans show one sleep period in 24 hours. Night, commonly being the period of rest is used for sleep. But this considerably varies with habit. (In night shift workers, day sleeping is the habit.) A term sleep wake cycle is frequently used. In a 24 hour period, a man, sleeps about 7 hours and remains awake for the 17 hours. So the sleep wake cycle of the given person id 7/17 hours. Sleep wake cycle of a given person is reasonably fixed. If for any reason a person has to sleep less for one or two days, he compensates the lost hours of sleep by oversleeping in the following days. This is an example for the working of biological clock and this rhythm of sleep is often termed as circadian rhythm.
Sleep requirements During sleep the body gets repaired by itself and the brain processes the days events and help to sort them. Some sleep more and others sleep less, but both may be normal. The range of deviation of sleeping hours in the normal adult population is 4 to 10 hours per day, although the infants and children sleep more while the old people sleep less. A normal adult can withstand several days (up to 10 days) of sleep deprivation without showing any remarkably gross changes. Category Sleep requirement
New born babies 16- 20 hours
Children 12-14 hours
Adults 4-10 hours
Old age About 5 hours
Infants sleep for pretty shorter periods at a stretch. In a new born infant the duration of each sleep is only up to 60 minutes. Sleep alternates with states of wakefulness. The state of wakefulness is also about one hour. When the infant is one year old, the length of periods of sleep and wakefulness becomes longer and extend up to 90 minutes. Later, day time sleep becomes lighter and the child gets longer sleep at night. As the child grows older, he may require only one or two day time naps.
The sleep cycle An individual sleep cycle lasts for about 1 hours. Thus assuming a subject sleeps for about 8 hours in a night there will be some five such sleep cycles in the whole period. Each cycle of the sleep contains various stages of sleep.
Stages of sleep Normal sleep consists of two types: - non rapid eye movement sleep (NREM sleep) or slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep). Because of the fact that eyeballs move and yet the sleep is deeper, the REM sleep is also called paradoxical sleep The physiological characteristics of these phases are largely opposite. Both the phases have a complex multilevel structure that ensures the development of active brain processes characteristic of each phase. In NREM sleep, tonic or stable changes in vegetative and motor indices occur. The muscular tension decreases, respiratory rate and cardiac rhythm become slow. In REM sleep, the EEG records rapid low amplitude oscillations, similar to those in the initial stage of sleep or even wakefulness. Physical changes are also noted. Rapid eye movements, twitching of facial muscles and extremities, disturbed breathing, changes in heart rate and hypertension are seen in REM sleep.
The NREM or slow wave sleep consists of four stages, each of which gradually merges into the next. Each stage has been identified by EEG recordings.
v Stage 1- This is a transition stage between wakefulness and sleep that normally lasts from 1 to 7 minutes. The person is relaxing with eyes closed and has fleeting thoughts. If awakened, the person will often say he has not been sleeping. Alpha waves diminish and theta waves appear on the EEG.
v Stage 2- This is the first stage of true sleep, even though the person experiences only light sleep. It is a little harder to awaken the person. Fragments of dreams may be experienced, and the eyes may slowly roll from side to side. The EEG shows sleep spindles- sudden, short bursts of sharply pointed waves that occur at 12 to 14 Hz.
v Stage 3- This is a period of moderately deep sleep. The person is very relaxed. Body temperature begins to fall and blood pressure decreases. It is difficult to awaken the person, and the EEG shows a mixture of sleep spindles and delta waves. This stage occurs about 20 minutes after falling asleep.
v Stage 4- Deep sleep occurs. The person is very relaxed and responds slowly if awakened. When bed wetting and sleep walking occur, they do so during this stage. The EEG is dominated by delta waves.
In a typical 7 or 8 hours sleep period, a person goes from stage 1 to 4 of NREM sleep. Then the person ascends to stage 3 and 2 and then to REM sleep within 50 to 90 minutes. The cycle normally repeats throughout the sleep period.
In REM sleep the EEG readings are similar to those of stage 1 of NREM sleep. It is during this sleep that most of the dreaming occurs. The eyeballs move frequently, the muscles relax more and the intensity of sleep is more. The eye ball movements are probably due to the fact that the subject follows the objects in the dream. Yet because of greater muscle relaxation, the subject is unable to move. May be because of this, the subject feels a sense of paralysis, even though the situation in the dream demands physical movements. In men, erection of the penis happens during most REM intervals, even when the dream content is not sensual. Following REM sleep, the person descends again to stage 3 and 4 of NREM sleep. Towards morning the REM sleep becomes longer and NREM sleep becomes shorter. The REM periods start out lasting from 5 to 10 minutes and gradually lengthen until the final one lasts about 50 minutes. Most sedatives significantly reduce REM sleep.
If people are awakened during REM sleep they almost always say they have been dreaming and they are able to recall their dreams in vivid details. When people are awakened during stage 2 through stage 4 they rarely claim to have been dreaming and they never remember many details. However, strong panic emotions with little dream imagery occur in stage 3 and 4. These emotions are called night terrors or sleep terrors. They consist of labored breathing and paralysis and high anxiety.
As a person ages, the average time spent sleeping decreases. In addition, the percentage of REM sleep decreases. As much as 50% of an infants sleep is REM as contrasted with 35% for 2 year olds and 25% for adults. The high percentage of REM sleep in infants and children is thought to be important for the maturation of the brain. Neuronal activity is high during REM sleep; brain oxygen use is higher during REM sleep than during intense mental or physical activity while awake.
The sleep pattern of an individual changes significantly after a long period of sleep deprivation. Scientists observed that the individual, after a period of sleep deprivation of 264 hours, spent much more time in stage 4 on the first recovery night, at the expense of stage 2. On the second recovery night, REM sleep increased sharply at the expense of stage 2 through 4. The phenomenon of increased REM sleep after sleep deprivation is called REM rebound. The effects of sleep deprivation suggest that sleep repairs and restores various systems. Prolonged deprivation leads to irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, memory failure and reduced muscle co ordination. Some people are associated with behavioral abnormalities and mental illness.
When the people are allowed to sleep except when they enter stage 4 and REM sleep, they develop the same symptoms as if they had been deprived of all their sleep. Such experiments indicate that we need sleep especially stage 4 and REM to maintain normal functions. Selective deprivation of REM sleep alone suggests that it is especially important in solidifying memories from skills learned the day before. The skills are remembered less well by REM deprived people than they are by people who sleep normally or by people who are deprived of other stages of sleep.
Physiological changes during sleep During sleep, somatic activity is greatly decreased. Threshold of many reflexes is elevated and responsiveness is also lessened. Man cannot remember the events occurring during sleep. The metabolic rate being the least, all tissues and organs perform the least work. The physiological changes can be tabulated as follows:
Systems/somatic functions Changes during sleep
Circulatory system Pulse rate, cardiac output, vasomotor tone and blood pressure reduced
Respiratory system a) Respiration may be costal or periodic, especially in children b) Tidal volume, rate of respiration and, therefore, pulmonary ventilation-lowered. (Sometimes the rate may be unchanged or even high due to shallow breathing.
Metabolic rate Reduced by 10-15%
Secretions a) Salivary and lachrymal reduced b) Gastric- unaltered or raised c) Sweat- raised d) hGH of pituitary- increased
Urine Volume reduced, reaction may be variable, specific gravity and phosphates- raised Muscles Relaxed and the tone is minimum
Eyes a) Eye balls- roll up and out due to flaccid external ocular muscles may take up any position b) Eye lids- come closer, specially due to drooping of upper eyelid c) Pupils- contracted
Blood Volume is increased due to dilution of plasma
Nervous system a) Deep reflexes reduced b) Babinski- extensor c) Superficial reflexes unchanged d) Vasomotor reflexes- more brisk e) Light reflex- retained
Factors affecting sleep: 1. Food: It is known to affect the pattern of sleep. Heavy late meals usually cause night mares. When digestion is disturbed it will reflect on the sleep and alarming dreams may occur. Coffee and tea may prolong the time taken for falling asleep as they contain caffeine.
2. Drugs: Drugs also change the pattern of sleep. Diet-pills contain stimulants and hence reduce sleep. Tranquilizers and hypnotic drugs induce and prolong sleep. Sleep induced by sleeping pills is mostly blank and dreamless.
3. Addictions: Alcohol and cigarettes affect both NREM and REM sleep. They speed up the fluctuation between these two phases of sleep. When the effect of alcohol is over, the person falls into REM sleep and that reduces possibility of deep relaxation.
4. Stimuli: External stimuli such as light and sound usually disrupt sleep. Some people find it very difficult to get sleep when the lights are on. Usually slow music in low volume is conducive to sleep but loud noises interrupt sleep. Touch also has an influence on sleep. A soft and comfortable bed promotes sleep. Rough and hard touches hinder sleep. 5. Physical/mental work: A person exhausted by physical exercises may fall asleep quickly. Serious thinking will ward off sleep. Hence it is not advisable to contemplate on serious topics at bedtime. But monotonous mental activities such as repeated counting usually invite sleep.
Sleep disorders: The sleep related disorders can be classified as follows: Insomnia Hypersomnia Sleep-wake schedule disorders Parasomnia
Insomnia: The term insomnia is used to describe a condition when there is inability to fall asleep or stay in sleep or there is reduction total time of sleep. Insomnia may be secondary, due to causes like acute hostile environment, exciting situations continuing for many days, or due to severe pain or due to some mental diseases. In most cases, there is no apparent cause and such cases may be called primary insomnia.
Hypersomnia: Hypersomnia refers to an excessively long or deep sleep from which a person can be awakened only by vigorous stimulation. It may be associated with conditions such as with head injury, stroke, and encephalitis. The conditions which can be included under this heading are narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnolence, sleep apnoea, the Kleine-Levin syndrome.
Narcolepsy: This is a condition of involuntary attacks of sleep that last about 15 minutes and may occur at almost any time of the day. It is an inability, in waking state, to inhibit REM sleep. This condition is more common in males. There may be a family history of narcolepsy. It may be a genetically transmitted disorder as an autosomal dominant trait. Patients with narcolepsy often have secondary emotional and social difficulties, and their difficulties are increased by other peoples lack of understanding. Many etiological theories have been advanced but none is convincing.
Idiopathic hypersomnolence: This is the most prevalent of primary hypersomnias. Patients complain that they are unable to wake completely until several hours after getting up. During this time they feel confused and may be disoriented. They usually have prolonged and deep night-time sleep. Almost half of them have periods of day time automatic behavior, the etiology of which is obscure.
Sleep apnoea: This syndrome consists of daytime drowsiness together with periodic respiration and excessive snoring at night. It is usually associated with upper airway obstruction.
The Kleine-Levin syndrome: This consists of episodes of somnolence and increased appetite, often lasting for days or weeks and with long intervals of normality between them. Patients can always be roused from the daytime sleep, but are irritable on waking and occasionally aggressive, some are muddled and experience depression, hallucinations and disorientation.
Sleep-wake schedule disorder: Fatigue and transient difficulties in sleeping accompany changes in bodily rhythms after travel across time zones or changes in shift worm. Regular changes of shift or the irregular alternation of night work and days off may lead to chronic problems of poor sleep, fatigue, impaired concentration and an increased liability to accidents.
Parasomnias: The conditions which can be included under this heading are nightmares and somnambulism.
Nightmares: This is also called dream anxiety disorder. A night mare is an awakening from REM sleep to full consciousness with detailed dream recall. Night mares may be stimulated by frightening experiences during the day, and frequent night mares usually occur during a period of anxiety.
Somnambulism: This is also called sleep-walking. This is an automatism occurring during deep non REM sleep, usually in the early part of the night. It is most common between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Most of them do not actually walk, but sit up and make repetitive movements, Some walk around, usually with their eyes open, and in a mechanical manner but avoiding familiar objects. They do not respond to questions and are very difficult to wake. They can usually be led back to bed. Most episodes last a few seconds or minutes, but rarely as long as an hour.
Conclusion: The concept of nidra and sleep are quite comparable. The nidra is so important for the maintenance of health. This is true in the light of modern scientific knowledge also. According to ayurvedic concept, the kapha and tamas are responsible for the nidra; while the sleep production has been attributed to many factors including stimulation of certain areas of brain.
Ayurveda classifies the nidra on the basis of the mode of origin while modern classification of sleep is based on physiological variations seen in association with the different types of sleep. Nidra or sleep is affected by a number of factors like food, activities, external stimuli etc. Any variation in the normal sleep pattern is not at all desirable and they may cause serious health problems which demand proper medical attention. *****
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