Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

Posted on Mon, 7 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 7 Dec 2015 Answered on

Sat, 26 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doc. From past two months, I am not getting Deep sleep.
I hardly sleep for 5 hrs in the night

Suggestions please

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
needs evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

You are suffering from insomnia (sleep disturbance) since 2 months. Your quality of sleep is affected with duration.

Insomnia (sleep disturbance) is of two types:

1. Primary: There is problem of only sleep disturbance and no other physical or psychological problem is there. In this case treatment for sleep problem is needed.

2. Secondary: There is some underlying physical or psychological problem which is responsible for sleep disturbance. In this main treatment is done for underlying problem.

First of all try to follow some measures called 'sleep hygiene' which would help in sleep. You can find the same in below link.

sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

Drinking a cup of warm milk before going to bed helps in 30-40% of patients and they do not need medicines as per my clinical experience.

Let me know more so I can guide you further.

- Is there difficulty in sleep onset, fragmentation of sleep or early morning awakening?

- What was the schedule (timing) and duration of sleep before the problem started? How much reduction in sleep from previous?

- Do you have any stress in life (it can be social, economical, relationship, study/work or emotional)?

- Do you have any physical illness?

- Any day time sleepiness is there?

As such drugs from benzodiazepine group and Z group sedatives are used in sleep disturbance. But all are prescription medicines and one needs o consult doctor for prescription. Anti-histaminic and melatonin are also used sometime when sleep problem is not severe.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (43 hours later)

Hi Doctor.

Thanks for the Feedback.

Here are some details.

From past 2 months, I am attending late night meetings 2 days a week from 10.30 pm to 11.45 pm. on every Tuesday's and Thursday's. I get sleep little late after Meeting. Say by 12 mid night.
This has disturbed my sleeping routine

Details as follows
No much stress
No physical illness
Around 2 to 3 pm I feel sleepy..

For a healthy life style I do Yoga for 20 mins in the morning and Walk for 2.5 kms in the Evening.

As alternate I close my eyes in the cab while travelling.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
problem is due to change in sleep cycle

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for info,.

Your problem is likely due to alteration in sleep cycle. Our body is working with an inner clock - circadian rhythm. When this clock timing is altered person does not get satisfactory sleep. You are facing the same problem. IF you can adjust to sleep hours 12 to 7 it is well and good.

In that case you should also awake late to get enough quantity of sleep. Or you can take one hour of sleep in noon to remain fresh.

First of all try to follow some measures called 'sleep hygiene' which would help in sleep. You can find the same in below link.

sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

Drinking a cup of warm milk before going to bed helps in 30-40% of patients and they do not need medicines as per my clinical experience.

Even after this if you are not satisfied, zolpidem drug can be helpful and for that you need to consult doctor.

The best way is to avoid late night meetings if feasible.

Hope this answer will help. Feel free to discuss further.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar