Sleep disorders and modern lifestyles-The impact of stress work and technology on sleep health

Dr Dhruvi Kandoi

Abstract
Sleep disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s fast paced technology driven world, contributed by factors such as chronic stress, excessive screen exposure, irregular work schedules, and poor lifestyle habits. These disruptions significantly impact cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health, contributing to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and psychiatric conditions. The interplay between circadian rhythm dysregulation, environmental stressors, and technological overuse has led to an alarming rise in sleep disturbances across all age groups. This study explores the physiological and cerebral consequences of sleep troubles while emphasizing homeopathy’s holistic and personalized approach.

Key Words: Sleep Disorders, Modern Lifestyle, Stress, Technology, DSM, Homoeopathy, Therapeutics.

Definition of Sleep Disorders

• A Continuous disturbed sleep in regard of timing of sleep, quality of sleep and amount of sleep or chronically appearance of abnormal behaviours when sleeping.

DSM Classification

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) classifies sleep disorders under the category of Sleep-Wake Disorders, which encompass various conditions that disrupt sleep patterns, affect sleep quality, and impair daytime functioning. The classification includes the following major types:

• Insomnia Disorder
• Persistent difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep.
• Causes daytime fatigue, mood disturbances, and cognitive impairment.
• Hypersomnolence Disorder
• Excessive sleepiness despite adequate sleep duration.
• Leads to prolonged sleep episodes and difficulty waking.
• Narcolepsy
• Sudden, uncontrollable sleep episodes.
• Often accompanied by cataplexy (muscle weakness triggered by emotions)
• Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) – Repeated airway obstruction during sleep
• Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA) – Impaired brain signalling affecting breathing
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
• A discrepancy between one’s sleep schedule and their body’s natural circadian rhythm.
• Encompasses conditions such as shift work disorder, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and irregular sleep-wake cycle disruption.
• Parasomnias – Abnormal behaviours during sleep, similar as sleepwalking, night afflictions, and REM sleep behaviour malady.
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) – Urge to move legs, worsening at night and disrupting sleep.

Sleep Cycles & Physiological Regulation

Sleep occurs through alternating cycles of Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, ensuring neurological recovery, hormonal balance, and cognitive function optimization.

NREM Sleep (Deep Sleep Phase)

• Stage 1: A shallow sleep stage marking the transition from sleeplessness, characterized by heightened sensitiveness to external disturbances.
• Stage 2: A gradual decline in heart rate, muscle tension release, and body temperature drop, signalling the transition into deeper sleep stages.
• Stage 3: A deep, rejuvenating sleep phase critical for tissue repair, immune system reinforcement, and the release of growth hormones.

REM Sleep (Dreaming & Memory Processing Phase)

• Characterized by increased cerebral activity, vivid dreaming, and temporary muscle paralysis.
• Essential for reinforcing memory retention, maintaining emotional balance, and optimizing cognitive function.

Neurotransmitters & Hormonal Regulation of Sleep

Sleep is orchestrated by neurotransmitters and hormones that balance relaxation and alertness.

• GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): Induces relaxation, allowing transition into sleep.
• Acetylcholine: It plays a crucial role during REM sleep, shaping dream activity and facilitating memory formation.
• Melatonin: Produced by the pineal gland, melatonin helps regulate sleep patterns by responding to variations in light exposure.
• Cortisol: A stress-related hormone that can disrupt sleep when elevated, contributing to nighttime alertness and insomnia.

Impact of Sleep Disorders on Psychological & Physiological Health

Sleep disturbances have profound consequences on mental and physical well-being.

• Increased Anxiety & Stress
• Poor sleep amplifies stress responses, leading to heightened emotional reactivity.
• Insomnia often fuels anticipatory anxiety, where excessive worrying prevents sleep, creating a vicious cycle.
• Depression & Emotional Dysregulation
• Chronic sleep deprivation affects neurotransmitter balance, increasing susceptibility to depression.
• Inadequate sleep diminishes emotional resilience, leading to mood swings, irritability, and lack of motivation.
• Cognitive Impairment & Memory Dysfunction
• Sleep is crucial for information retention, problem-solving, and focus.
• Sleep-deprived individuals struggle with learning, critical thinking, and decision-making.
• Increased Risk of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders
• Studies indicate that sleep upsets contribute to bipolar condition and schizophrenia.
• Existing psychiatric conditions are exacerbated by chronic sleep instability, intensifying symptoms.

Sleep Disorders in the Context of Modern Lifestyle

Multiple environmental factors in contemporary societies contribute to worsening sleep health.

• Stress & Cortisol Dysregulation
• Prolonged work deadlines, financial worries, and personal struggles trigger stress hormones, keeping individuals alert even when the body needs rest.
• Chronic stress is strongly associated with persistent insomnia, difficulty staying asleep, and nightmares reflecting waking anxieties.
• Homeopathy provides individualized remedies such as Argentum nit. for anticipatory anxiety-induced sleeplessness or Kalium phos. for nervous exhaustion.
• Work Culture & Sleep Deprivation
• Irregular shift schedules, late-night work, and pressure to outperform contribute to a cycle of chronic sleep loss.
• Many professionals, particularly in healthcare, IT, and finance, report poor sleep due to high-stress environments.
• Homeopathic remedies such as Nux vom., suited for workaholics who struggle to unwind, help reset natural sleep cycles.
• Technology-Induced Sleep Disturbances
• Screens dominate daily life, disrupting melatonin secretion through blue light exposure.
• Overstimulation from social media, video streaming, and digital interactions delays natural sleep onset.

Strategies to mitigate technology-induced sleep disturbances include:

• Reducing screen time before bed
• Using night-mode settings on devices
• Incorporating relaxation techniques such as reading or meditation
• Homeopathic remedies like Coffea crud., known for calming overactive thoughts due to screen exposure, may be beneficial.

Scope of Homeopathy in Sleep Disorders

• Homeopathy is highly effective in managing chronic sleep disturbances, especially those linked to stress, emotional trauma, and lifestyle factors.
• Unlike conventional sedatives, homeopathic remedies work gently, improving sleep quality without side effects or dependency risks.
• Well-suited for individuals experiencing:
• Psychosomatic symptoms impacting sleep (e.g., grief-induced insomnia, anticipatory anxiety).
• Hormonal imbalances affecting sleep cycles (e.g., thyroid-related disturbances).
• Constitutional predispositions leading to chronic insomnia.

Limitations of Homeopathic Treatment in Sleep Disorders

• Not a substitute for emergency intervention:
• Acute sleep deprivation linked to severe neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy-related sleep disruption) may require conventional medical management.
• Requires detailed case-taking & accurate remedy selection:
• Homeopathic success depends on precise individualization, making rushed prescribing ineffective.
• Response variability among individuals:
• While many experience rapid improvement, others require long-term treatment for sustained sleep restoration.

Key Remedies for Sleep Disorders & Their Differentiation

Coffea Cruda

• Best for insomnia due to mental hyperactivity, racing thoughts, and overstimulation.
• The individual feels alert despite exhaustion, unable to “switch off”
• Suitable for those affected by late-night screen exposure, excitement, or stress

Nux Vomica

• Ideal for overworked professionals struggling to unwind
• Insomnia results from digestive complaints, excessive stimulant use (coffee, alcohol), and mental stress
• Waking between 2-3 AM, irritated, restless, and unable to return to sleep

Passiflora Incarnata

• Beneficial for nervous exhaustion, elderly individuals, and sleep deprivation due to long-term stress
• Induces deep restorative sleep without suppressing natural rhythms
• Especially useful in chronic insomnia linked to mental fatigue

Sulphur

• Helps individuals experiencing early waking, overheating, and restless dreaming.
• Often feels hot at night, kicks off covers, struggles to stay asleep.
• Suitable for those experiencing circulatory disturbances affecting sleep.

Calcarea Carbonica

• Recommended for slow recovery, chronic fatigue, and excessive worry impacting sleep.
• Experiences night sweats, chilling sensations, difficulty “switching off” thoughts.
• Suitable for individuals with low metabolism, cold intolerance, and physical sluggishness.

Kali Phosphoricum

• Effective for nervous exhaustion and stress-induced sleep disturbances.
• Ideal for students, professionals, and those suffering from burnout.
• Restores balance when sleep is affected by prolonged mental strain.

Arsenicum Album

• Best for insomnia caused by anxiety and deep-seated fear.
• Individuals wake up feeling cold, restless, and highly anxious.
• Often experiences panic between 12-3 AM, unable to rest despite exhaustion.

Ignatia Amara

• Indicated for grief-induced sleep disturbances and emotional suppression.
• Individuals struggle with sighing, contradictions in emotions, and physical restlessness.
• Especially useful for those unable to sleep due to personal loss or emotional tension.

Opium

• Suitable for individuals with deep but unrefreshing sleep, disturbed after shock or trauma.
• May complain of a lack of dreams or awareness during sleep.
• Often experiences sluggish reactions and reduced mental clarity upon waking.

Pulsatilla

• Effective for hormonal imbalances, emotional sensitivity, and restless sleep patterns.
• Individuals may weep easily, experience frequent mood changes, and feel clingy.
• Suited for sleep disturbances linked to hormonal fluctuations or emotional stress.

 Key Aspects of Homeopathic Case-Taking for Sleep Disorders

• Detailed Symptom Collection
• Determine the specific characteristics of sleep disruptions, such as trouble initiating sleep, premature awakening, or persistent restlessness during the night.
• Investigate timing patterns (e.g., waking at specific hours—Sulphur wakes at 3–4 AM, Nux vom. at 2–3 AM, Arsenicum alb. at midnight).
• Assess modalities—Does sleep improve or worsen in response to temperature changes, posture, or emotional states?
• Understand dream activity—Are dreams anxious, vivid, fearful, or emotionally charged?
• Emotional & Mental Influences on Sleep
• Work-related burnout & overstimulation → Kalium, Nux vom.
• Unresolved emotional trauma → Ignatia, Natrum mur.
• Intense Nighttime Fears and Anxiety → Arsenic alb., Phosphorus.
• Miasmatic Influence Consideration
• Psoric insomnia – Stress overload, excessive worrying, hypersensitivity to surroundings (Sulphur, Coffea cruda).
• Syphilitic insomnia – Destructive thoughts, nightmares, irrational fears (Mercurius, Aurum met.).
• Sycotic insomnia – Congestion, excess dreaming, heaviness in the body (Thuja, Medorrhinum).
• Generalities & Physiological Traits
• Food cravings & dietary influences – Does food intake affect sleep? (Nux vom. worsened by stimulants, Pulsatilla disturbed by heavy meals).
• Temperature regulation – Any extreme cold/hot sensations at night? (Sulphur dislikes covers, Calcarea carb. needs warmth).
• Physical restlessness before bedtime – Tossing, frequent posture shifts, inability to settle (Arsenicum alb., Rhus tox).

Modern Adaptations in Homeopathic Case-Taking for Sleep Disorders

• Lifestyle & Sleep Hygiene Integration
• Avoid stimulants before sleep (No coffee/alcohol for Nux vom., Coffea crud. types).
• Use bedtime relaxation techniques (Music therapy benefits Ignatia amar., Kalium phos).
• Optimize sleep posture insights – Sulphur types dislike coverings, Calcarea carb. requires warmth.
• Behavioral & Psychological Influences in Prescribing
• Insomnia Linked to Resistance to Change and Deep-seated fears → Natrum mur., Arsenicum alb.
• Workaholics unable to ‘shut down’ mentally → Nux vomica, Kalium phos.
• Sleep affected by unresolved trauma → Ignatia, Staphysagria.
• Complementary Support with Medicines and Nutrients
• Passiflora & Valerian – Gentle sedative effects aiding in restorative sleep.
• Magnesium-rich foods – Beneficial for relaxing nervous tension interfering with sleep.

Organon Aphorisms & Practical Application in Sleep Disorders

Key Aphorisms Related to Sleep Health & Homeopathic Prescribing

• Aphorism 5 – Individualization of Cases

“No cure can be accomplished without understanding the individual’s totality of symptoms.”

• Application:
• Sleep disorders cannot be treated generically; each case requires precise symptom differentiation.
• Example: Coffea cruda for mental hyperactivity insomnia, Ignatia for grief-induced sleeplessness
• Aphorism 9 – The Essential Role of Vital Force in Maintaining Health

“In healthy man, the vital force keeps the organism in harmonious operation.”

• Application:
• Sleep disturbances indicate an imbalance in the vital force, requiring constitutional remedies to address underlying susceptibility
• Example: Arsenicum alb. for sleep disrupted by chronic anxiety, Sulphur for early waking due to heat sensitivity
• Aphorism 153 – Finding the Most Similar Remedy

“The best remedy is the one most similar in totality of symptoms of  the disease.”

• Application:
• Remedies must match physical, emotional, and environmental factors influencing sleep health
• Example: Nux vom. for sleep disturbed by overwork, Opium for deep but unrefreshing sleep post-trauma
• Aphorism 276 – Proper Potency Selection

“The smallest dose that produces an effect should be used to avoid aggravation.”

• Application:
• Correct potency selection prevents unnecessary aggravations, ensuring gentle healing without suppression
• Example: Lower potencies (6C, 30C) for mild sleep disturbances, higher potencies (200C, 1M) for deeper constitutional effects
• Aphorism 272 – Repetition Guidelines in Chronic Cases

“Remedies should be repeated only if necessary, and in minimal doses.”

• Application:
• Chronic insomnia cases must not be over-treated with excessive repetitions
• Example: Single dose of 200C or 1M used in deep-seated disturbances, adjusting based on response.

Bibliography & References

• Hahnemann, S. (1810). Organon of Medicine. Leipzig: Arnoldische Buchhandlung.
• Boericke, W. (1901). Materia Medica with Repertory. Boericke & Tafel.
• Kent, J.T. (1905). Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica. Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel.
• Clarke, J.H. (1902). Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. The Homeopathic Publishing Company.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Washington, DC.
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2014). International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3). Darien, IL.

Dr. Dhruvi Kandoi
P.G.- Scholar, Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Baroda Homoeopathic Medical college and Hospital, Sevasi,  Vadodara- 391101.
Email id: dhruvikandoi841999@gmail.com