Overview
Did you sleep well last night? Many people often experience insomnia. According to NINDS, approximately sixty million people in America have frequent and extended sleeping problems. Drug treatments for these problems are abundant. These cures usually work temporarily and are sometimes unbelievable. Alternative remedies for insomnia are available.
Sleeping Pills
Doctors usually prescribe sleeping pills such as Valium, Xanax, Activan, and other benzodiazepines for the treatment of temporary sleep problems. Although these pills help people to sleep, they do not cure insomnia. Many ordinary retail and prescription medications lose their power after some weeks. They can also form habits and disrupt a healthy sleep by lessening the duration of deep sleep. People who need an alternative remedy should consider taking a melatonin supplement.
How does Melatonin Work?
Your brain hosts the gland that produces the hormone melatonin. In spite of the need to learn more about melatonin, the existing researches have revealed a significant relationship between this hormone and sleep. At daytime, the levels of melatonin in your body are low. At night, the levels of melatonin in your body increase significantly. Many doctors recommend using melatonin to treat sleep-related problems because of its ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles. In addition, this hormone is known to beat insomnia naturally.
Is Melatonin Safe and Does it Cause Interactions?
According to the Therapeutic Research Center, some people should not take melatonin. Children, lactating mothers, pregnant women, and individuals who are taking some blood pressure treatments should not take this hormone. This hormone may also exacerbate symptoms of depression, seizure disorders, and diabetes. The organization also warns people against using this hormone with sedatives. Melatonin may also interact with other medications such as birth control drugs, immunosuppressant drugs, fluvoxamine (Luvox), and medications that slow down blood clotting. Visit MedlinePlus for more information about these precautions.
How Effective are Melatonin Supplements in Curing Insomnia?
Some studies have provided evidence showing the effectiveness of melatonin in treating insomnia. However, these studies are not conclusive or large enough. In a 2005 study, researchers analyzed 17 studies about melatonin. After the analysis, the researchers concluded that this hormone can induce sleep 4 minutes faster and increase a person’s sleep effectiveness by two to three percent. The results of the analysis also show that melatonin can increase sleep duration by approximately thirteen minutes.
The use of melatonin may be particularly useful to the elderly because sleep problems are common in this group. It is sensible to think of using melatonin supplements to promote good sleep at old age because melatonin levels reduce with age.
Melatonin Dosage and Side Effects
Generally, melatonin is not habit-forming and does not seem to lose its power or obstruct normal sleep patterns. It is safe for short-term use, but there are no studies to establish its effects when used for a long time. Dosages vary significantly but a dose of 0.3 mg is good for a start. In summary, melatonin is a natural remedy for insomnia. It is an excellent choice for people who need a good rest during sleep.
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