Gah! Insomnia!?

Question

I've been having insomnia probably since late September or early October. I just can't fall asleep until 1:00 or 2:00 am everynight, and yet every morning I get up at 6:00 am to go to school. This leaves me tired and irritable the entire day. It's affecting my schoolwork, my concentration and my memory. It's getting very frustrating. I don't abuse caffeine, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes (or anything that is smokable for that matter), sugar or anything else that might make it harder for me to fall asleep. I'm not an exercise buff, but I do P.E. at my school and walk up to a few miles. Basically, I just can't figure out how to get more sleep. My parents are convinced that I really could fall asleep if I "tried" but I HAVE, I've laid awake for hours. They just don't get it, and therefore won't get me any sleep aid. Is there anything out there that isn't prescription only that I can get? It doesn't have to be drugs (although it'd be nice), it could be tea, or anything that works. Please help!

Answer 1

this will sound silly but benedryl (yep, the allergy crap and any other for that matter!) is an effective sleep aid. and its main ingredient, diphenhydramine, is found most OTC sleep aids like nytol, sominex, and unisom. do note that OTC sleep aids may be habit forming, and can actually worsen insomnia over time.

if you'd like to skip the drug route, tea infused with valerian root is nice. at the grocery store, go to the beverage aisle and check out the teas. i use sleepytime tea w/ valerian. it smells nice, tastes pretty decent and helps a little in calming the body. some stores actually have a section of teas meant to help with your health, so keep a lookout.

also, check out Tylenol Simply Sleep. it claims to be non-habit forming.

Answer 2

Hi,
Following are the causes of insomnia. Pl. remove the causes first then take the treatmet which is mentioned after the causes.

The causes of insomnia are as under

Sleeplessness can be caused due to a variety of reasons. These may vary from disturbance due to external noise to specific sleep disorders.


External noise or bright light that hinders sleep

Excessive intake of caffeine containing beverages like coffee and tea

Excessive consumption of alcohol

Stress, anxiety and depression

Certain severe and long-lasting illnesses like prostatitis, cystitis, arthritis etc.

Chronic pain

Side effects of certain drugs used to treat hormonal imbalance, or stimulate the nervous system

Abrupt stoppage of previous medications or introductions of new ones

Shift in place of residence or work

Jet lag

“Catnaps” or sleeping during the day

Heavy exercise just before going to sleep

A state of excitement hampers sleep

Indigestion or other stomach ailments

In children, sleeplessness can be caused due to a desire for parental attention, stomach ache, hunger, worms or teething.


The treatment of insomnia is as under

The best way to prevent insomnia is to develop good sleeping habits. A routine should be maintained of going to sleep and getting up at the same time everyday. This helps set a body clock for a predictable sleep schedule. Regular exercise is important for a healthy body, but it should not be done within 2 hours of bedtime. Beverages containing caffeine should be limited. A light snack of milk or meat can be taken just before bedtime. These foods have a natural sleep inducer which helps to bring on sleep.

A patient should not force himself to sleep. Leisure activities like reading or listening to soft music at bedtime help to relax. A comfortable bedroom temperature should be maintained. The surroundings should be conducive to sleeping; they should be away from loud noises or any other disturbing stimuli.

Feel Free to Contact

Dr.Mojo

Answer 3

Insomnia is a complicated problem. Don't nap during the day. Also, try this: Go to bed, if you do not fall to sleep withing 15 minutes, get out of bed and read or do something else. When you feel tired go back. Repeat as necessary. Do NOT lay awake in bed for hours (this only serves to associate going to bed with a negative consequence). Also, do not change your routine during the weekends. Do not watch television in bed. Do not eat or exercise within 2 hours of going to bed. As far as supplements, try valerian root or melatonin. I do not recommend benadryl due to its relatively long half-life and potential for daytime drowsiness the following morning.

Answer 4

You don't have to "abuse " caffeine for it to keep you awake- I can drink a sm coke and it will keep me up= also exercise can - keep you awake for hours afterwards- so try no exercise, or meals at least 3 hours before bedtime and no cafe or sugar 6 hours before- try it and see-a glass of milk or magnesium may help relax you- or sleepy time tea=D

Answer 5

Insomnia (sleeplessness) is due to stress, dietary and medical
problems. By making small lifestyle changes like having a fixed
daily routine, relaxing and eating properly, insomnia can be
cured. I found the information at http://tinyurl.com/jfzpz useful
for getting sleep.

Answer 6

Most anti-histamines have a drowsiness side effect, you could try relaxation techniques, nature CD's or studying something so boring it knocks you out (calculus used to do that to me until I got to like it)