Melatonin is an unregulated supplement commonly used by people who have trouble sleeping. While studies suggest melatonin does not cure insomnia, it may be effective for sleep disorders such as jet lag and delayed sleep phase syndrome. When used...
If you're dealing with sleep deprivation, you'll want to take steps to stay perky and alert. Getting the blood flowing is typically a good first step. Stand up, go for a brisk walk and do some jumping jacks or anything that will raise your heart...
Dopamine antagonists, such as haloperidol and phenothiazines, tend to increase non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep while reducing REM sleep, according to a 2009 article written by Seiji Nishino, MD at Stanford University. These drugs have been used...
Two common medications used as sleep aids are diphenhydramine and zolpidem. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that causes sleepiness and fatigue; it is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter allergy medicine, Benadryl. Zolpidem is the...
It is common for people with depression to experience various sleep disturbances including insomnia, poor sleep efficiency and perception of poor sleep quality. Although these problems are thought of frequently in conjunction with depression,...
The Mayo Clinic states that "depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world." Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects both emotions and behaviors, and can alter the patient's quality of life. Without proper...
The brain relies on neurotransmitters to pass along messages to each other and signal emotions and functions, such as mood and the feeling that you need to sleep. One example of a neurotransmitter is serotonin. One of its chief functions is to...
Put down that all-natural energy drink. The truly natural way to restore the body and get energized is by sleeping. Sleep debt can have some serious health risks, especially for the cardiovascular system (CVS). Getting enough sleep and watching...
It is common to have a night or even periods of time when it is hard to get a good night's sleep. If lack of sleep becomes a chronic problem, however, health issues can arise. The goal is to find techniques to help the body get the rest it needs....
A 2009 survey by C. M. Cunningham and associates published in "Health Policy" indicated that 1 in 12 people used benzodiazepine drugs. Use was correlated with female gender, low income, older age and poor health. A similar survey by E. Esposito...
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that derives its name from its symptoms: The patient has mood shifts between mania (elevated mood) and depression (lower mood). Both mood phases have sleeping problems that range from not needing sleep to...
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that controls human sleep. Melatonin is available over the counter and is the most studied dietary sleep aid. Melatonin may help a person fall asleep faster and possibly remain asleep longer. There are no...
Caffeine is a stimulant most people use to give them energy and to stay alert. A moderate amount of daily caffeine intake is 250 mg which equals approximately 3 cups of coffee. Although it offers no nutritional benefit it is not considered...
The effects of smoking on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are well known, but there is another reason to consider quitting: your sleep health. Not only is smoking associated with getting less sleep, but it also is responsible for...
Montelucast sodium is the chemical name for Singulair, a trademarked product of the pharmaceutical firm, Merck & Co. Montelucast is a medication prescribed for the prevention of allergic nasal congestion, or rhinitis, and asthma attacks....
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has been extensively studied and researched throughout the world. Ginkgo has been used for centuries in traditional Eastern cultures, often to treat circulatory disorders and to improve memory. The ginkgo tree is the...
Lack of sleep can cause problems with many aspects of body and mental function including creating anxiety in individuals who may or may not have other health concerns. There are several ways to prevent and treat these problems so that a person can...
Duloxetine is a drug made by the Eli Lily company. It is sold under the trade name of Cymbalta. According to a summary published in the journal "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics," duloxetine may be useful in several medical conditions. These...
Quinoa, a seed originally grown in the Andes and used as a grain, has a number of advantages over wheat and other grains. Proponents of quinoa claim that eating this food has relaxing properties that can help you sleep because it promotes...
Sleep disorders and personal schedules can damage sleep quality. Kristen Knutson of the University of Chicago says "there is laboratory evidence that short sleep durations of four to five hours have negative physiological and neurobehavioral...
Sleep is essential to help your body function properly. Not getting enough sleep does more than lead to daytime drowsiness: It can bring on serious health problems. If you are not sleeping, the first step is to figure out what the cause is, and...
There are many sleeping medicines on the market, available over-the-counter and by prescription. It is important to follow all directions for taking sleeping medication to avoid an increase in tolerance and physical dependence. Alcohol should also...
In 2007, the FDA ordered all manufacturers of sedative-hypnotic drugs, more commonly known as sleeping medications, to change their labeling in an attempt to clarify potential side effects caused by these drugs. These changes, however, didn't stop...
If you are having trouble sleeping, you may be considering taking sleeping pills. Not getting a good night's sleep can leave you fatigued, and you may have difficulty concentrating the next day. This can interfere with work and family obligations....
In most societies around the world, children sleep with their parents at least for the first several years of their life. Early anthropological studies found that in 90 percent of cultures, infants slept with their parents, and not in cradles or...
Freeze-dried nettles are made from the roots, steams and leaves of stinging nettles. Although this herb is available in many forms, such as capsules and leafs, freeze-dried leaves are a common form for those interested in reducing joint pain,...
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants. Most tranquilizers and sleeping pills belong to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved hypnotics, a class of psychoactive drugs, in...
Science has not yet solved all the mysteries of sleep. While many plausible theories seem to explain why your body and brain need it, there are questions that have not been answered with scientific proof. Why do some people need more than others?...
Tylenol PM is an over-the-counter medication indicated for the treatment of pain and mild insomnia. Tylenol PM is a combination of the drugs diphenhydramine and acetaminophen. Diphenhydramine is an anti-histamine used to promote sleep and reduce...
