Melatonin for Sleep

Melatonin, scientific name N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a neurohormone, which is produced by the pineal gland, located in the brain, behind the third ventricle. There is a small amount of melatonin found in fruits, vegetables, grains and meat, which helps sustain one's melatonin levels in the brain. It also comes in the form of dietary supplements or even as an over-the-counter prescription drug. The body is designed to monitor its everyday natural cycle of sleep and awaking hours.

It remains high during the evening and nighttime, and drops during the early morning hours. Depending on the season, melatonin levels are affected in the body, since light affects the amount of melatonin the body produces. As one ages, melatonin levels drop. Using this chemical compound indirectly on patients suffering from this problem, is common.

Types of Sleep Disorders

Before we get into how melatonin is used for sleep, we discuss the common types of sleep disorders that one can experience.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RSL)
In RSL, one finds him/herself continuously moving their feet, or arms in a restless fashion. This occurs due to maybe a tingling sensation, or because of an uncomfortable feeling in the legs, calves or arms, making them shift constantly.

Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that people experience, that usually comes about with emotional or physical problems as its root cause. It's either a mental problem, or could be the result of surrounding factors like noise or disturbances. One should monitor sleep patterns to check whether they find it hard to sleep on several occasions, without the interference of outside elements.

Snoring
A bad case of snoring can keep the one sleeping next to the person who snores, up for hours at a time. It is caused by the airway narrowing, due to a bad sleeping position or a throat problem. Due to the constriction caused to the airway, the air creates that sound while trying to pass through. It may accompany sleep apnea, which is another sleep disorder but is not highly the case in some people. If one needs to control snoring, losing weight is one option as well as trying to sleep on one side (left or right) with your head tilted slightly.

Sleep Apnea
In sleep apnea, one ceases to breathe, or it comes out in short irregular breaths. The time-lapse between each breath intake and outtake lasts for more than 20 - 30 seconds, sometimes exceeding to an hour. Common symptoms of this condition, is waking up abruptly gasping for air, long breathing gaps within sleep patterns, choking and so on.

Narcolepsy
It is a neurological disorder that washes one over with a feeling of immense drowsiness, without any warning, making them fall asleep abruptly wherever they are. Hypocretin, which is a chemical diffused by the brain, controls one's sleeping patterns just like melatonin, although it is more powerful and can induce sleep upon a person without any warning. This condition comes about for those who don't get enough of a good night's sleep, and can result in severe damage if not corrected immediately.

Melatonin for Sleeping Disorders

One tends to feel sleepier, functioning differently as well, due to bad sleeping habits, resulting in a sleep disorder. Like mentioned earlier, insomnia is a common sleep disorder, where people find it hard to fall asleep and are often restless and wide-eyed for most part of the night. This is common among children as well. Doses of melatonin vary in terms of one reacting to the medication, where it can be strong for some and ineffective to others. Start off with small doses and then increase the dosage to get the results you need.

• The dosage amount for adults should start with 3mg, and increased slowly over a period of time.
• Dosage levels in children should start with 0.3mg a day or slightly lesser. It can go up to 10mg, which is safe but still needs to be administered with caution to avoid an overdose. Increase dosage amounts gradually once you notice results.

Melatonin is available in the form of sublingual tablets, common tablets, dietary supplements and as a liquid. The common side effects of taking melatonin are changes in one's sleep patterns, mood swings, headaches, itching, increased heart rate, low body temperature and in some cases vivid dreams. Decrease the dosage of melatonin to lessen the influence of side effects.

Melatonin is an important chemical that needs to be constantly regulated in the brain; without it, it can lead to serious defects and problems. Be on the lookout for unhealthy sleep patterns and behavior during sleep in your partner / children, and accordingly read the signs that lead to a sleep disorder.