How to cure insomnia?
Friday, June 19th, 2009 at
4:41 am
Jones asked:
Im not sure what type of insomnia i have, but its horrible. Trying to go to sleep and you cant and being tired all the while and feeling physically deprived of all strength. I havent got any physical reason or mental disabilty causing this i just cant sleep, some nights i just cant sleep atall and end up being awake all night until i have to go to college the next day. Im almost nocturnal now. Some one please tell me how to stop/cure this. If you have insomnia youll know what i mean.
Im not sure what type of insomnia i have, but its horrible. Trying to go to sleep and you cant and being tired all the while and feeling physically deprived of all strength. I havent got any physical reason or mental disabilty causing this i just cant sleep, some nights i just cant sleep atall and end up being awake all night until i have to go to college the next day. Im almost nocturnal now. Some one please tell me how to stop/cure this. If you have insomnia youll know what i mean.
Tagged with: Disabilty • Physical Reason • Sleep
Filed under: Insomnia
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BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would go to a specialist to get the best advice and treatment. I wouldn’t take anything that can put my body in jeopardy and make matters worse. So please seek professional help. Good luck…
A few tips.
1. Don’t do anything in bed except sleep. No TV, no reading, no chatting on the phone.
2. Warm milk. For real.
3. Melatonin. Not a lot, just a little.
4. Make sure you are getting plenty of exercise.
These are just a few of the many tips out there but I’m drawing a blank on the rest. Worrying about not sleeping of course makes it worse. Don’t just lay there watching the clock, get up and occupy yourself with something.
Try The Onion Cure.
Cut up and onion and put it in a jar. As you go to bed, open the jar, sniff the onion and then close it and place it on your bedstand. Within 15 minutes you’ll be asleep.
Sleep Aids And Stimulants (cont.)
Appropriate sleep habits are important in the management of insomnia. In some instances, changing sleep habits may correct the problem without the need for medications. Good sleep habits should include:
Regular sleep times;
A comfortable bed and quiet room at a comfortable temperature;
Appropriate lighting;
Regular exercise but not close to bedtime or late in the evening;
A bedroom that is not used for work or other activities that are not related to sleep;
Avoidance of stimulants (e.g. caffeine, tobacco), alcohol, and large meals close to bedtime;
Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises; and
Avoidance of naps during the day.
What over-the-counter medicines are there for insomnia?
Self-treatment of insomnia with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is advisable only for transient or short-term insomnia. OTC sleep aids should only be used for a short period of time in conjunction with changes in sleeping habits. Chronic use of these drugs may result in dependence on the them. This creates a situation in which sleep is not possible unless the drug is used. Chronic insomnia should be evaluated by a physician.
Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine (e.g., Sominex, Nytol) and doxylamine (e.g., Unisom) are the two antihistamines that are currently marketed as OTC sleep aids. Diphenhydramine is the only agent that is considered to be safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration. The safety and effectiveness of doxylamine has not been evaluated adequately for FDA approval. Other uses for diphenhydramine include allergy, motion sickness, and cough suppression. Scientists believe that diphenhydramine and doxylamine cause sedation by blocking the action of histamine in the brain, but the exact mechanism of action is not known.
If insomnia is associated with pain, there are numerous products containing a combination of an antihistamine and pain reliever. These combination products should not be used if pain is not present because the added pain reliever is not necessary.
Pregnancy and Lactation: The effects of diphenhydramine and doxylamine on the fetus have not been evaluated adequately. Although the likelihood of an adverse effect on the fetus is low, these drugs probably should be avoided during pregnancy. Both agents may decrease lactation (production of milk). Additionally, these drugs are secreted into the breast milk, which could affect the newborn. Therefore, nursing mothers should also avoid both drugs. Children less than 12 years of age should not use doxylamine because its use in this in age group has not been assessed.
Drug Interactions: Diphenhydramine and doxylamine add to the sedative effects of alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness.
Side Effects: Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect of both diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Therefore, these agents should not be used in situations (e.g., driving) where mental alertness is required. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine also cause constipation, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. Both drugs may worsen the symptoms of glaucoma, asthma, heart problems, and prostate gland enlargement. People with these conditions should not use OTC sleep aids without consulting a physician.
Both drugs may paradoxically cause excitation, resulting in nervousness and insomnia. This occurs most often in children and the elderly.
Melatonin
Melatonin (e.g., Melatonex) is the only hormone available OTC for insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland. Melatonin helps regulate the body’s clock or sleep-wake cycle. The secretion of melatonin is increased by darkness and decreased by light. The exact mechanism of how melatonin induces sleep has not been determined. Melatonin also decreases mental alertness and body temperature.
Melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement and is, therefore, not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is commonly used for jet lag, insomnia, and sleep disturbances related to working the late night shift. Some limited evidence suggests that melatonin may be useful for treating sleep disturbances.
Dosing: There is no established dose or time of administration. Doses of 5 to 10 mg have been evaluated. Individuals should follow the product labeling for dosing and administration.
Pregnancy and Lactation: The use of melatonin during pregnancy or lactation has not been studied adequately. At high doses (more than 300 mg), melatonin may affect contraception (birth control) and increase levels of prolactin in the body. Based on past experience with other agents and the possibility of unknown risks to the fetus, melatonin should be avoided during pregnancy or lactation until more information is available.
Children: The use of melatonin in children should be avoided until more information about safety is available.
Drug Interactions: Although melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement, it should be thought of as a drug. It has side effects and may have drug interactions that have not been identified. The level of melatonin that the body produces is increased by certain drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (e.g. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. Parnate, Nardil). The interaction between these antidepressants and melatonin that is used as a sleeping aid has not been assessed.
Side Effects: The most common adverse effect of melatonin is drowsiness. Therefore, tasks that require alertness (e.g,. driving) should be avoided for 4 to 5 hours after taking melatonin. Melatonin also may also cause itching, abnormal heartbeats, and headaches. Long-term side effects of melatonin have not been studied.
Melatonin is either derived from animal sources or synthesized in a laboratory. Melatonin obtained from animal sources has a higher likelihood of contamination, which can cause allergic reactions and viral transmission, than synthetic melatonin.
Melatonin may stimulate the immune system. Therefore, people with severe allergies or other disorders that may be caused by an overactive immune system (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis) should avoid using melatonin.
triazolam, Halcion – Source:MedicineNet
Sleep – Read about how to get a healthy nights sleep, how much sleep is enough, and why skimping on sleep can lead to poor performance, health, and moods. Source:Government
Narcolepsy – Source:MedicineNet
It seems like you have developed an unhealthy sleeping pattern esp. if you feel you are almost nocturnal now. I would advise staying up around the clock – that is, if you can’t sleep, stay up through the night and through the next day (I know, rough) and then go to bed. Take a look at this website as well which has interesting tips and advice on insomnia – I’ve tried a couple and they do work….