For quite some time, I wasn't sure what I was going to do about my failing health. I knew that I had a few longterm health problems, but resolving the issues felt really difficult. Fortunately, a friend of mine mentioned going to the doctor, so I began looking for medical alternatives. I began working with one doctor who suggested a course of medications and a few lifestyle changes, and I was really enthusiastic about the progress I was making. I know that making health and medical changes helped the quality of my life, and I know it could help you too. Check out this blog for more information.
4 Sleep Aids To Consider If You Are Struggling With Insomnia
Many people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives due to stress, certain medical issues, etc. Unfortunately, some studies say that between 10% to 30% of adults will develop chronic insomnia. If you are really struggling, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment at a sleep clinic to rule out certain disorders, like sleep apnea. In the meantime, you may want to talk with your doctor about trying an over-the-counter sleep aid. Here are four sleep aids you may want to consider.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in your body; your melatonin levels typically go up in the evening to signal sleep and taper off in the morning. However, some people with insomnia may have irregular melatonin patterns, so taking a melatonin supplement before bed may help you re-establish better sleep hygiene. One study found that melatonin was helpful in helping workers with irregular shifts fall asleep more easily.
CBD Oil
People who have insomnia because of depression or anxiety may want to try CBD oil. There are many CBD oil products, such as gummies, creams, tinctures, etc., depending on your needs. Some people are hesitant about CBD oil because it's derived from cannabis, but these products typically don't contain THC, the chemical compound that is responsible for the high. CBD oil can decrease cortisol levels; cortisol is the stress hormone that causes the fight-or-flight response and increases blood pressure. By decreasing your cortisol levels, you may be more relaxed and better able to get to sleep.
Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium is a mineral that is involved in a lot of bodily processes. You can usually get magnesium through your foods, but some people may be deficient and prefer to use supplements. These types of supplements could help you with your sleep since magnesium can help regulate melatonin production. Magnesium supplements can help muscles relax and improve GABA levels. GABA is an amino acid that provides calming effects to the nervous system.
Valerian Root
Valerian is an herb native to Europe and Asia that has been used in a lot of alternative medicine since it can improve mood and sleep. Like magnesium supplements, valerian can improve GABA levels which can help to relax the body. Valerian also contains antioxidants, like linarin, which have sedative properties. Studies have shown that valerian root can not only reduce the time it takes to fall asleep but can improve your sleep quality as well.
These are just a few sleep aids you might want to consider. Reach out to your doctor before starting new medications and supplements, and reach out to a sleep clinic, like Elkview General Hospital, to get to the root issue if your insomnia doesn't improve.