Question
Could you possibly tell me all of the causes and symptoms of insomnia? I know the obvious answer is that 'you can't sleep,' but I'm hoping your answer is a little more detailed.
My problem is I used to be able to fall asleep relatively quickly. Now I often lie awake in bed, with a hopeless feeling washing over me.
Please Help!
Answer
Insomnia can be caused by numerous things,but mainly its when your chronobiologic clock,is out of sync.It can be manifested by symptoms of restlessness, anxiety ,stress,etc.Many times certain medications you may be taking can cause it.If that is the case its important to mention it to the md.as possibly the dosage of the med you are taking may have to be lowered.Some ways to help insomnia are do not drink any caffinated bevarages at least 3 hours before bed.Mainly no coke or pepsi,nothing caramel colored ,no chocolate,no exercise, or alcohol.Go to bed and wake up the same time each night even if you didnt sleep well that night.If you find yourself after 20 minutes unable to sleep do not twist and turn,get out of the bed and do something boring like reading a book.The minute you find yourself nodding out go back in the bed not stay on the sofa,the bed must only be associatd with sleep.Also go to the website sleepnet.com and click on insomnia then chronobiology which explains how to get your clock back into sinc.Sleeping pills are a no-no as all they do is become habit forming and if you stop taking them you will get rebound,which means worse insomnia and sleepiness since the meds force the sleepiness on but not naturally.Also the old adage warm milk before bed is true.Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan which is a sleep inducer.If after all this the symptom still persist,then its time to get evaluated at a sleep center where you may have to be put on a short acting benzodiazapane drug,(ambien)however even after 4 days of it,stopping it will cause rebound.Try to do it the natural way.Hope this helps.Feel free to email again,karel
