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Suggest Treatment For Disturbed Sleep

Posted on Tue, 30 Sep 2014

Question: Hi. I cannot sleep from approx. 2 AM on. I fall asleep fine but wake up around 1-2 every night. I read, doze, wake, read, doze wake. Mostly awake. Someone said something about cortisol because I also have headaches at that time ?!?!?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Cortisol is a stress hormone and the level inrease during stress ful situations. In conditions with elevated cortisol, you may have reduced sleep. In normal persons, cortisol levels are very low at around 12 midnight and start rising at 4 AM.

Have you checked the thyroid function test recently? Elevated thyrioid hormones also can reduce the sleep.

Regards
Binu

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

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

What other reason would I be waking around the same time very night, with a terrible headache ? The pills I purchased at health food store are called sleep thru
The main ingredients areashwagandha root, magnolia bark, Passion flower vine and Jujube date fruit.
Thanks, XXXXXXX

I forgot to mention that I recently ( within last 6 months ) had my thyroid levels checked and they were good.( within normal limits) .

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply.
Good to know that the thyroid function test was normal.
The tablet you mentioned ( Sleep thru) contains few herbs. You may continue to use them.

I would like to ask few questions.
1. Smoking and Alcohol intake?
2. Tea/Coffe/Coco cola/Pepsi etc intake in day. And the last time in the day these are taken.
3. Any worries,. Anxiety etc ?
4. Any other recent pills apart from Thyroid medications and Sleep thru ?

Would appreciate a reply

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

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (56 minutes later)

Hi, I'm not sure my latest response went through. I do not smoke. Rarely rarely drink. 2 coffees early in the Am. No other Meds . No caffeinated beverages during the day. Usually only water. It started maybe 4-5 months ago and has progressively worsened , as have the headaches . Some worries and stress, but nothing profound. Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. So we have excluded major causes of insomnia. I still do not recommend to check Cortisol for this reason unless you have gained significant weight or have developed pinkish/reddish wide stretch narks in thighs/abdomen etc.

However, I would be a bit concerned about the headaches. This is a usual pattern of Tension headaches. But at your age, I would recommend to get a neurology check and an MRI brain . If they are normal, not to worry.

For sleep, you may buy over the counter Melatonin tablets. Avoid strong stimulus to brain before sleep ( do not play crosswords or Sudoku before sleep, DO not play computer games before sleep) .Switch off TV and Computer at least 1 hour before sleep time. Please follow a fixed time sleep time pattern.

Regards
Binu

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