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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

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Posted on Mon, 16 May 2016
Question: can not sleep
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Several alternatives

Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I would like to try to help.

I wish you had provided some more detail, likewhther you have difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, waking up early in the morning etc. Also on whether you have any other medical conditions affecting sleep, because if yes they should be treated first. Anxiety is a common cause of lack of sleep and often treating it solves the sleep issue as well.
Also some measures in your lifestyle may benefit sleep, such as exercising during the day, avoiding day time naps, avoiding watching TV before sleep, avoiding stimulants like coffee, sodas etc in the evening.

As for medication there are several alternatives for insomnia. The simplest one to start would be melatonin (a naturally occurring hormone which regulates sleep) or ramelteon (which acts on melatonin receptors). These are preferred for difficulty falling asleep and are preferred because of not having a potential for abuse.
If those are not active other options may include antihistamines like dimenhydrinate, nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists like zolpidem, sedating antidepressants like mirtazapine, doxepin etc.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

Brief Answer: Several alternatives Detailed Answer: I read your question and I would like to try to help. I wish you had provided some more detail, likewhther you have difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, waking up early in the morning etc. Also on whether you have any other medical conditions affecting sleep, because if yes they should be treated first. Anxiety is a common cause of lack of sleep and often treating it solves the sleep issue as well. Also some measures in your lifestyle may benefit sleep, such as exercising during the day, avoiding day time naps, avoiding watching TV before sleep, avoiding stimulants like coffee, sodas etc in the evening. As for medication there are several alternatives for insomnia. The simplest one to start would be melatonin (a naturally occurring hormone which regulates sleep) or ramelteon (which acts on melatonin receptors). These are preferred for difficulty falling asleep and are preferred because of not having a potential for abuse. If those are not active other options may include antihistamines like dimenhydrinate, nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists like zolpidem, sedating antidepressants like mirtazapine, doxepin etc. I remain at your disposal for other questions.