[Guest]

I've been told I am about to describe is not uncommon. I easily fall asleep, often awake after about three hs rly get more than 4 to 5 hs sleep total. My far suffered from , as does my non-idential twin bror. I've tried 1000mg of melatonin bee bed, 20 mg of Paxil, y have done nothing me. I am in general good health, am 61 years old, run 3 miles daily, have no weight problem, have a Type A personality. I'm not depressed--heck, I'm too busy to suffer from depression I've had little luck taking an afternoon nap (when I want to take a nap, I usually can't!). I am not anxious to take medications, I've not seen a sleep specialist. I've been advised to try acupuncture or Chinese medicine I'm a skeptic about non-traditinal rapies ( doesn't necessarily mean I should avoid m). I'm open to any suggestions can give me.

[Guest]

Insomnia is a symptom with many complex causes, so it is impossible to give you other than general descriptions. The most common causes of insomnia include depression, anxiety, psychophysiological insomnia. Psychophysiological insomnia is more a less a learned response. That is a person has a few bad nights of sleep at some time and then when they go to bed they get slightly stressed about getting a good night sleep. Instead of sleep being a relaxing endevour they become more awake, maybe starring at the clock etc. Typically people with psychophyiologic insomnia report sleeping better in a hotel or on the couch. The treatment for this is to modify behavior at bedtime, only go to bed when tired and get out of bed if not falling asleep within 15 minutes, only to return when one is tired again, and to restrict time in bed to sleeping 90% of the time. Modest sleep deprivation and then slowly expanding sleep time can be of benefit. Relaxation therapy can be helpful. medications can help for short time. Inadequate sleep hygiene is another common cause, caffeine can disrupt sleep up to 12 hours after ingestion, and stopping caffeine can tremendously help. Medical problems such as asthma or gastresophageal reflux can cause insomnia. Exercising at night can also lead to insomnia