Main

Disclaimer

Polls

Search

Suggestions

·         Arousal

·         The Brain

·         Exercise

·         Indoor Air Pollution

·         Muscle Tension

·         Nutrition

·         Posture

·         Sensory Processing

• Differentiation
• Hearing
• Interhemispheric Integration
• Laterality
• Proprioception
• Vestibular System
• Vision
• Other Influences on Development

·         Sleep

·         Other Suggestions

Research Topics

My Theories

Former Theories

E-Mail

The Cause of Internet and TV Addiction?

www.causeof.org

Insomnia

• Temporary Insomnia
• Chronic Insomnia

·          Some Causes

·          Circadian Rhythms

·          Depression

·          Differentiation

·          Hypoglycemia

·          Proprioception

·          Self-Esteem

·          Serotonin

·          Tips

• Related Topics

Temporary Insomnia

Causes

·        "A single stressful event

·        A period of emotional stress

·        Illness

·        Temporary pain

·         Disturbances in the sleeping environment (noise, light, strange bed, etc.)

·         Upsets in the normal sleep pattern, such as jet lag"

WebMD: Insomnia

Chronic Insomnia

Some Causes

·        "Psychiatric conditions, such as depression or anxiety

·        An underlying medical condition [i.e.

• Breathing problems,
• Psychiatric illnesses,
• Chronic pain,
• Hormonal conditions,
• Cardiac conditions,
• Stomach and digestive conditions,
• Urinary conditions,
• Other medical conditions such as diabetes]

·        Stimulants [e.g.

• Nicotine,
• coffee,
• tea,
• chocolate, and
• other caffeine-containing products, 
• alcohol,
• decongestants,
• stimulant medications including methylphenidate (such as Ritalin)]

·        Acute or chronic stress

·        Chronic pain [e.g. fibromyalgia]

·         Some medications [i.e.

• High blood pressure medications,
• Hormones,
• Respiratory
• Medications,
• Steroids,
• Other medications, such as diet pills,
• Some antidepressants,
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications,
• Ohenytoin,
• Levodopa, and
• Quinidine]

·         A different sleep disorder [e.g.

• Sleep apnea,
• periodic limb movements,
• abnormalities in the circadian rhythm,
• Restless legs syndrome,
• Narcolepsy]

·        Poor sleep habits [e.g.

• Keeping an irregular schedule for bedtime and waking time
• Watching television or eating in bed
• Failing to exercise during the day
• Exercising too close to bedtime
• Associating the bed with an inability to fall or stay asleep
• Consuming meals or drinks too close to bedtime]"

WebMD: Insomnia

Circadian Rhythms

"Your circadian rhythm is your body's 'biological clock,' or 24-hour cycle. The 24-hour circadian rhythm controls functions such as:

• Sleeping and waking.
• Body temperature.
• The balance of body fluids.
• The way other body systems function."

WebMD: Circadian Rhythms

Circadian Rhythms: Problems

"Your circadian rhythms can be affected by light or darkness, which can make your body think it is time to sleep or wake up."

WebMD: Circadian Rhythms

"Your internal clock might get thrown off track and you might find yourself going to bed too early and then rising too early, or, in contrast, staying up and rising too late."

WebMD: Insomnia: Sleep Disorders

Circadian Rhythms: Melatonin

·           The Brain: Melatonin

Depression

·            Arousal: Depression/Low Arousal

Differentiation

"Difficulty ‘turning off’ obsessive compulsive thoughts and actions"

Neurodevelopmental Delays: Problems with Differentiation

Hypoglycemia

·           Hypoglycemia: Functional Hypoglycemia (FH)

Proprioception

·           Neurodevelopmental Delays: Problems with Proprioception

Self-Esteem

·          Other Suggestions: Self-Esteem

Serotonin

·           The Brain: Serotonin

Tips

“Many CFS and FMS patients wake too early. To combat this,

·          Try going to bed earlier so that you are in accord with your sleep cycle and can take advantage of the deepest level of sleep (there is a body temperature drop of about a degree at your body’s natural sleep time).

·          I have also found that spending some time relaxing before bedtime and/or listening to a calming book on tape is helpful in quieting the mind and relaxing the muscles and can improve the quality of my sleep [palming exercise may be helpful].

·          If you experience muscle spasms, pains and cramps that disrupt sleep, try taking guaifenesin [I don’t recommend guaifenesin], which, over time, may reduce these symptoms. (Note: you must be on an adequate dose of guaifenesin for long enough and avoid hidden salicylates for it to work. See my web site.)

·          If you have hypoglycemia, a low carbohydrate diet can also help sleep quality, energy levels and cognitive abilities.

·          Reducing sugar and carbohydrate intake and reducing food allergies and sensitivities has also been important to improving my sleep and other symptoms [by decreasing serotonin levels and increasing melatonin levels?]…”

The CFIDS Association of America, Inc.: Fall 2002: One to One

”For those who do not feel sleepy until very late at night, simply increasing exposure to bright light in the morning may also help.”

The CFIDS Association of America, Inc.: Fall 2002: One to One

Related Topics

·          Research Topics: Sleep Deprivation: Antidepressant Effects 

Back to 'Other Suggestions'