The causes of insomnia have many roots and people should first be concerned about diseases, worries, depression or drugs that might be causing the problem BEFORE using other solutions. Using sleeping suggestions listed here will be done at your own risk. If you have any questions or concerns FIRST contact your own medical authority.

• Sleep Disorder websites:
  • http://uhs.bsd.uchicago.edu:80/uhs/topics/insomnia.html
    
  • http://www2.nano.no:80/~tomho/iad.html
    
  • http://www.jwatch.org/cgi/signin/cgi/show/0.950303004
    
  • http://www.jwatch.org/cgi/show/0.950303004

• Questions about Ativan -- I tend to be anxious and have been taking one tablet of Ativan before going to bed and one in the middle of the night when I invariably wake up. I would like to stop taking Ativan. I've tried many times over the last 4 years to stop, but Ativan is addicting. I wonder whether anyone has had success stopping Ativan? If you can help e-mail Paul M. Bruening -- SHBJ34A@prodigy.com

• Melatonin appears most helpful for those over 70 -- Melatonin is a hormone that, among other important tasks, regulates sleep. It is produced by the pineal gland, located in the center of the brain. Secretion is affected by light. When darkness falls, production steps up, signaling sleepiness, and with the light of day production wanes, nudging us awake. As we age, levels of melatonin lower and by 70s or 80s, levels can be barely preceptable and falling asleep and staying asleep can be real chores.

  Melatonin is sold commercially in health food stores with a common dosage of 3 milligrams. Some scientists are concerned that some commercially sold dosages are too great as even 1 milligram is at least three times higher than the normal amount produced by the body. Side effects may include nightmares, fatigue, daytime drowsiness, mild depression, and headaches. Users should be careful. If you have experience using this material please tell us about it. -- from an article in the Sacramento Bee