Saira Banu, the iconic actress and devoted wife of the legendary Dilip Kumar, often shares touching memories of her late husband, affectionately referred to as "Sahib." Recently, she posted a heartfelt note and a series of nostalgic photographs on Instagram, highlighting their deep bond. In her note, Saira expressed her undying love for Dilip Kumar, reminiscing about their journey together and how their love remains eternal. She beautifully articulated how their shared moments continue to resonate with her, providing a sense of completeness and gratitude.
Dilip Kumar's Struggle with Insomnia
Among the memories shared, Saira revealed a lesser-known aspect of Dilip Kumar's life—his battle with severe insomnia. Despite his immense success and acclaim, he struggled with sleep issues. Before their marriage, even with medication, Dilip Kumar often stayed awake through the night. However, their union brought a positive change. Saira's presence had a calming effect on him, earning her the endearing nickname "sleeping pill" from her beloved husband. This revelation adds a poignant layer to their story, showing how love and companionship can significantly impact one's well-being.
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Understanding Insomnia
As per Dr Nimesh Desai, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, and Former Director, IHBAS, Delhi, insomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling or staying asleep. It can manifest in various ways, including trouble initiating sleep, frequent awakenings during the night, or waking up too early and being unable to go back to sleep. For some, insomnia is a minor inconvenience, while for others, it can severely disrupt daily life and functioning.
Symptoms of Insomnia
Insomnia's symptoms can be broadly categorized into sleep-related issues and daytime effects. People with insomnia might experience:
- Initial Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
- Middle Insomnia: Waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble returning to sleep.
- Late Insomnia: Waking up too early in the morning and being unable to fall back asleep.
The daytime repercussions of insomnia can include fatigue, mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression, impaired memory, and difficulty concentrating. Chronic insomnia, diagnosed when symptoms persist for at least three months and occur at least three times per week, can lead to significant impairments in daily functioning.
Diagnosing Insomnia
A healthcare provider diagnoses insomnia through a detailed assessment of the patient's sleep habits, medical history, and current symptoms. In some cases, tests like polysomnography (sleep study), actigraphy, or multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) may be recommended to rule out other sleep disorders or medical conditions that might be contributing to insomnia.
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Treatment Options for Insomnia
Insomnia can be treated through various approaches, often tailored to the individual's specific needs and underlying causes. Treatment strategies include:
- Sleep Hygiene: Improving sleep habits and creating a conducive sleep environment.
- Medications: Prescribed sedative or hypnotic drugs to help initiate and maintain sleep. It's crucial to use these under medical supervision to avoid dependency and ensure they don't adversely affect sleep quality.
- Herbs and Supplements: Natural remedies, though popular, should be taken with caution and under a healthcare provider's guidance to avoid potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
- Mental Healthcare: Addressing underlying mental health issues through therapy and counselling can significantly improve sleep quality. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is particularly effective in treating chronic insomnia.
Bottomline
Dilip Kumar's struggle with insomnia and the solace he found in Saira Banu's companionship underscores the profound impact of emotional support on physical health. Insomnia is a complex condition with various treatment options available. Anyone experiencing persistent sleep issues should seek professional help to identify and address the underlying causes. Effective management of insomnia not only improves sleep but also enhances overall quality of life.