Insomniacs know what F. Scott Fitzgerald was talking about when he wrote that the worst thing in the world is to try to sleep and not to. Insomniacs dread the night while others go to bed without much fuss and sleep soundly away. Insmoniacs keep tossing and turning in bed and worry until morning.

You can identify insomnia sufferers on sight. They sport dark circles under their eyes, are between slim and thin, and are sleepy during the day because of sleep deprivation. The one thing in the world they crave is a good night's sleep with or without medical prescription. They have have tried all insomnia cures from the unusual to the traditional but without satisfactory results.

What Causes Insomnia?

Insomnia means habitual sleeplessness. The word is taken from the latin word insomnis meaning sleepless. Insomniacs are not born, they develop because of medical conditions ? heart disease, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, asthma, and even just plain feeling blue.

The environment can set off sleepless nights, and a class bully can cause insomnia for a child. This is no laughing matter; if the boss can give you sleepless nights, why can't the bullies?

What you eat or drink ? coffee, colas, and teas can upset your sleep routine. And if you have eaten a huge sandwich just before bedtime expect sleep to come late. Surprisingly a partner who snores too loud can also trigger insomnia.

If you are suddenly losing sleep, check out the mattress, pillow, and the temperature. Once this has been figured out, the problem will be happily resolved, and you go back to your regular sleeping pattern. Knowing what causes your insomnia can help you get the right insomnia cures.

Folksy Insomnia Cures

The tried tested insomnia cures are:

1. A glass of warm milk, and a turkey sandwich will set you nodding. Tryptophan in milk which is also found in turkey meat are great sleep inducers. If these do not work, then the other alternative would be pills.

2. Making a ritual of going to bed ? this will send signals to the body that it is near bedtime, and the body clock adjusts. Stick to this regimen.

3. Learn to relax, and if your mind keeps on racing, do something quiet until you feel sleepy again.

4. Stick to your sleeping time, and avoid taking afternoon naps.

Time to See the Doctor

When these simple insomnia cures are not taking effect, it is about time to see a doctor. The doctor will check your health to determine the cause of your sleeplessness. In most cases a doctor will prescribe pills. The pills may be give temporary relief but are also habit forming when abused.

Some insomniacs, in their desperation for sleep, self medicate. Avoid this because this may only make the matter worse. The recent outcome on the Rozerem has shown some positive results, but there are observations that the drug is not advised for people who may have allergies to any of the drug's components.

Pills are not always the better alternative as insomnia cures. Avoid taking any medication just for the sake wanting a good night's sleep. One last tip - before taking any un-prescribed insomnia cures, especially pills, make sure that you have your doctor's advice. He may be able to find out the root cause of your insomnia!