Unable to sleep, advice?

[david_zan]

My dad had been an insomniac (means unable to sleep) for a long time. It started back when he was in univerity. He is entering his 50s now and still has this problem. He takes sleeping pills sometimes but they are not very effecient to him now. He is just unable to fall asleep and he gets very tired and frustrated during the day time. What can be the cause of him not been able to fall asleep? Any advice?

[t_ginuwine]

has he seen a doctor?

warm milk and music puts me to asleep

[wanted]

Maybe he's nervous or worried.
Worried about financial status, your future, job security etc.

[EchoAngel911]

maybe string yourself out before going to sleep.

So I would say workout before going to sleep

[david_zan]

has he seen a doctor?

warm milk and music puts me to asleep

He went to the family doctor once, and he just gave him some sleeping pills.

[david_zan]

maybe string yourself out before going to sleep.

So I would say workout before going to sleep

All he does is drive the car and use the computer.

[david_zan]

Maybe he's nervous or worried.
Worried about financial status, your future, job security etc.

Well, he has had trouble with sleeping for a long time. Is there any clinic that specialize in this?

[cipher]

Masturbation helps put one to sleep.

[wanted]

Well, he has had trouble with sleeping for a long time. Is there any clinic that specialize in this?

Pshychiatrist (speeling?)

[Flyer]

I could tape one of my physics lecture and send it...it puts everyone to sleep within the first fifteen minutes if they don't have something to do...

[Piccolo]

He went to the family doctor once, and he just gave him some sleeping pills.

Tell him to get a second oppinon.

Google "Insomia" (sp) see what you come up with.

[wanted]

Tell him to get a second oppinon.

Google "Insomia" (sp) see what you come up with.


Did you mean: insomnia :cheesygri ;)

[david_zan]

lol, my dad loves physics, he'll probably get so excited he is going to find the professor who made the tape

I could tape one of my physics lecture and send it...it puts everyone to sleep within the first fifteen minutes if they don't have something to do...

[david_zan]

Forgot to mention this, my dad also wakes up sometime during the night and unable to go back to sleep. He bought some kind of Chinese herb today, not sure if it will work (my guess is not). It is suppose to be some kind of tree bark.

[Piccolo]

Did you mean: insomnia :cheesygri ;)

:lol: I'm known for my typos/spelling ... I knew It would bite me in the butt sometime on the forum. Ah well... life will go on.

[Xtahse]

try telling to drink a glass of milk (warm or cold).. before he goes to sleep
it helps

[david_zan]

I heard milk contains tryptophan which helps the brain to produce serotonin that is suppose to help a person to relax.

[Anessa]

^^ yep, turkey has that enzyme as well.

[gman]

Read books. Something like Lord of the Rings will make you sleep fast. ;)

[poedua]

maybe try vitamins before bed .....calcium & magnesium ...I've heard it works.

Calcium, especially when contained in food, has a sedative effect on the body. A calcium deficiency in the body causes restlessness and wakefulness. Doses of approximately 600 milligrams of liquid calcium have been shown to have a relaxing effect.

Dosage: 1,500-2,000 mg daily, in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime.

Magnesium, in doses of approximately 250 milligrams, can help induce sleep. Magnesium deficiency is responsible for nervousness that prevents sleep. Magnesium-rich foods include kelp, wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, and brewer's yeast.

Dosage: 1,000 mg daily.

Calcium and magnesium produce calming effects on the brain. They are essential for normal sleep. Calcium and magnesium taken 45 minutes before bedtime have a tranquilizing effect.

Not sure of your dad's diet or whether he's a smoker ( delpletes vitamins ) , but extra vitamins might help - worth a try

[springroll]

More turkey and wine?

[taro-chan]

Excercise =)

[Ms G]

If u can't sleep, the best thing to do is go to another cool quiet room, read for like 20 min. Then go back to sleep in your room. Try to count backward dfrom 100.
PLEASE don't take any pills.
All the dr is going to give u something from the Benzodiazepine family.
They are all highy addictive,The after effects can last for months to a year. U don't need chemical dependency.
It will just be a quick fix.Not the root of the problems.
If u have stress or anxiety.
If its that bad, see a therapist for stress management.
Eat healthy and excercise.

[Ms G]

Oh, I forgot, Vitamin B12 is very good too.
It relaxes u?Calmes u and stress.
There's also a tea at the health food store call Beddytime Tea.
Its all natural.

[CheapScotsman]

Most things are balance ... for life basics its eat right, exercise right and sleep enough

but it doesn't sound from the comments above that your Dad is getting any exercise. That (and is he eating correctly) might go a long way to make him sleep right ... I wouldn't bother with magic potions till I get that somewhat in order.

[Chase]

maybe string yourself out before going to sleep.

So I would say workout before going to sleep
Never ever workout 5 hours before bedtime !! your body would be pumped with adredline ... making it more difficult to relax and sleep .

[michaelA]

how about some alcohol. it usually help me

[BobW]

hookers and blow... may not help you go to sleep, but at least you'll have something to do while you're up :)

[sleepyguy]

on a serious note...

- working out during the day... that will usually expend is excess energy...

- i get much better sleep after a day of activities, i don't have sleeping problems though.

[Chase]

how about some alcohol. it usually help me
alcohol is a depressent which disturbs the natural sleeping patterns and should never be used long term as a sleeping aid .

[Jacka]

fight airplane. (chinese joke) will help you sleep.

[robattoronto]

Unless its a medical condition, he just needs to clear his mind and work out his body.

Get him to take up a sport suitable for his age. Exercise will help him clear his mind, keep fit and tire himself out. It gets rid of toxins in your body and releases feel good chemicals. And he'd fall asleep in a split second if he's sufficiently tired.

The other part is psychological, if he worries too much, it'll be hard to sleep. Get him to realize that at night, for the next 8 hours, its a mandatory worry free zone. He needs to understand that he needs sleep and should be selfish about it. The problem will still be there in the morning for him to work on. The difference is, he'll be more alert to handle it. Having sleepless nights worrying about it is counterproductive.

Well I'm not an expert and I don't know the details of your dad's condition. What I do know is, the comments above works for me.

[gordholio]

There is something that I've been finding on the internet recently.
It's melatonin to help you sleep.
Hope this helps.

Melatonin (http://www.melatonin.com/)

[mrmoe]

get a hummer before bed....

[guest10586]

Tell him to go to his doctor and get an appointment for a sleep clinic. It takes a long time to get an appointment depending on where he is. In my city it takes about a year to two years. My dad has the same sorta thing, he drinks alcohol to fall asleep.

I think with sleeping pills you don't go into a REM cycle so it isn't really that good for you either.

Hope that helps.

[wanted]

listen to any audiobook of shakespeare.