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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

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Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2014
Question: I'm generally unable to sleep for more than 5 hours a night. It might contribute to my hypertension-
generally controlled to systolic of about 133-160. Occasionally it soars. I exercise. I take psychiatric meds. I'm obese. Some sleeping pills are said to be as dangerous as smoking. Before they stopped
being made 0.4mg of sopolomanine woud give me 7 hours of sleep without side effects. What do you
reccomend doing to restore my health?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Try general measures of insomnia

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

Sleeping disturbance definitely contributes to the blood pressure rising. Also the obesity plays it's role. Psychiatric meds might have a stimulant effect and should be taken in the morning

Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than neededAvoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleepAvoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pmKeep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothlyDo not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bedAvoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtimeDo not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime eitherAvoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remediesSlow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or bookAvoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the nightAvoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself)Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperatureExercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm)Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleepCognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes Sleep hygiene educationCognitive therapyRelaxation therapyStimulus-control therapySleep-restriction therapyTry Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues.Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousalAvoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the eveningAvoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying.

Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Regards XXXXXXX
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

Brief Answer: Try general measures of insomnia Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking Sleeping disturbance definitely contributes to the blood pressure rising. Also the obesity plays it's role. Psychiatric meds might have a stimulant effect and should be taken in the morning Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than neededAvoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleepAvoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pmKeep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothlyDo not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bedAvoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtimeDo not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime eitherAvoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remediesSlow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or bookAvoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the nightAvoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself)Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperatureExercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm)Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleepCognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes Sleep hygiene educationCognitive therapyRelaxation therapyStimulus-control therapySleep-restriction therapyTry Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues.Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousalAvoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the eveningAvoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying. Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards XXXXXXX