Sleep Naturally

by Stephen Holt, M.D.

"This essay covers many ideas for getting a restful nights sleep. One of the major reasons that most people do not get restful bed time is because of their environment and the way that it is constantly changing while they lay there. Keep reading this web site and you will find the answer to getting restful sleep"

Without restful sleep, optimal health suffers. Recent scientific studies show that reductions in the quantity or quality of sleep contribute to premature aging, disability and death. Lack of  may be responsible for hormonal imbalances and it may even contribute to the modern epidemic of obesity and onset diabetes mellitus later in life. While some sleep problems are caused by serious underlying disease, most cases of insomnia are related to simple issues, such as adverse lifestyle, anxiety, stress and poor diet.

The past decade has witnessed a major interest in the diagnosis and management of sleeping problems. Sleeping centers have sprung up all over the country and every community hospital has at least one physician who has a special background in sleep disorders. There has been a widespread, but unhealthy tendency, for a large proportion of the population to rely on drugs to induce sleep. All pharmaceuticals possess disadvantages or limitations, including cost, side-effects and tolerance. Many different types of drugs that depress brain function are being used to induce sleep.

Among the most popular prescription drugs are pharmaceuticals that belong to the class of short-acting benzodiazepines. These drugs should not be used for more than a few days because they may promote dependence and an individual can become tolerant to their actions, so that increasing doses of these drugs may be required to have a desired effect. Cessation of these drugs is a common cause of rebound sleeplessness.

There are more than 20 million people who take over-the-counter drugs for sleep. Popular OTC sleep remedies are often antihistamine drugs that cause drowsiness, hence sleep. The use of over-the-counter antihistamines for sleep is a major public health problem, especially in the elderly; since these drugs can cause confusion, promote accidents at night, interfere with bladder function and cause unpleasant drying of mucous membrane.OTC sleeping pills may be more dangerous than we have recognized. Over the past 15 years, there has been a trend for a reduction in the use of prescription drugs for sleep, as many people have become aware of the side effects and problems that exist with several pharmaceuticals. Dietary supplementation offers a natural, cost-effective, side-effect way to get a good night’s rest. Also, certain behavior and lifestyle techniques can be practiced that help people with sleeping problems fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer....

There are many natural ways to promote restful sleep, including lifestyle change, good nutrition, attention to the sleep environment and the use of carefully selected dietary supplements. We live in an age of a distorted belief in medical miracles or “quick-fixes.” Clearly, there is a major incentive to seek simpler, gentler and natural alternatives to drugs in promoting sleep....

Stephen Holt, MD, is a best-selling author and practicing physician. . Dr. Holt’s recent book entitled “Sleep Naturally” is available at www.wellnesspublishing.com and major bookstores and health food stores.