I have always had trouble sleeping. Actually my parents tell me as a baby, i never napped, slept only a few hours a night. I Just never neeeded that much sleep.
These days i do need more sleep than i used to, but i can stil get by ok wih 3-4 hours.
I still have trouble falling asleep, and going back to sleeep if i wake up early. (Belieeve me , try going to sleep after a hectic 12 hour Er shift, not that easy...)
This is quite a coomon problem and many patients complain of this.. usually by opening with the line " Doc, I really need a sleeping pill." Now some people may need a medixation to help them sleep, but most do not...
Here are some things people do that aren't very helpful..
- Alcohol
- Gravol
- Benadryl
- Night time tyelenol / advil cold / sinus preparations.
All these may help you fall asleep, but all have been shown to mess up youe sleep cycle. i.e you may fall asleep, but it wont be refereshing or adequate sleep...
Most people do quite well with "sleep Hygeine". Here are some ips that i have found help the vast majority of patients...
1) Beds for Bedtime Buisness...
i.e no TV, no reading, no computers.. all these things have a very negative effect on sleep
2) no caffeine after lunch.. i.e cofee, tea, cola etc....
3) If you have a million things on your mind, write a to do list... will help you clear your mind before bedtime
4) NO NAPS ( unlike kids who sleep better at night with regular naps.. this is not true for adults)
5) Excercise, but not within 2 hours before sleep, fresh air is better...
Most people do well with these changes....
Good night...
