Aside from the things previously mentioned in the earlier article, here are other things to consider to fight insomnia.

IV. Sleep Restriction Therapy

For some insomniacs, it is hard to fall asleep first with their mindsracing. They may be in bed for 10 hours but stay asleep for 5 hours. Inthis type of therapy, patients are advised to reduce the number ofhours they spend in bed to hours they spend in sleeping, until thosehours are increased. For more information, go to your nearest sleepcenter.

V. Melatonin For Insomnia?

Another popular insomnia relief is melatonin, a hormone released by the pineal gland.

Melatonin levels are high during nighttime, and low during daytime. Itis stimulated by darkness and is suppressed by light. Advertisedheavily on the internet, it is believed to be an effective insomniacure, especially since it is naturally produced in the body and isresponsible behind the body's circadian rhythm. People think that asthey get older, their melatonin levels decline. But how effective itreally is remains to be thoroughly studied, as findings so far aremixed.

In one small study, however, it was found out that melatonin may helpnight shift workers sleep during the day. Dr. James K. Wyatt of RushUniversity Medical Center and his colleagues at Harvard Medical Schoolassigned a group of people free from sleep disorders to be put on a20-hour sleep-wake schedule, simulating a traveler crossing four timezones eastward every day. They were asked to take 0.3 or 5 mg ofmelatonin or a look-alike placebo pill 30 minutes before each scheduledsleep period, which lasted for 7 hours.

People who took melatonin had longer sleep time during the day when thebody doesn't normally produce it, compared to those who took placebo,the study found out. But when they were given melatonin at night whenthe body produces its own melatonin, no added benefits were discovered.

Another factor that consumers must consider before buying melatonin isthe fact that it is not FAD-approved. Its safety is not guaranteed, andits production is not closely monitored. Available forms in healthstores may contain other substances and are untested for long-term use.

VI. Sleep Medications

So the abovementioned tips don't work, what now? Sleep medications maybe your last resort when sleep is still elusive, but you shouldexercise caution. Don't view them as your main weapon against insomnia,because you will fail. While there are many of them in the market thatseem promising, thanks to their companies' clever marketing strategies,sleep experts advise you to take them only in small doses, and onlywhen all else fails. They are not for long-term use. Check for yourdoctor's advice before taking any drugs for possible interactions withother medications. They are habit-forming. Quit slowly or else you willsuffer from rebound insomnia, the kind that will worsen when you stoptaking them.

VII. Conclusion

While you may be experiencing sleepless nights, your insomnia can stillbe cured. Just go to a sleep center, ask for advice, and who knows,you'll be sleeping soundly again.

Article Source: http://www.articlebag.com

Article Tags: insomnia | stimulus control therapy | cognitive behavioral therapy |
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