Q: My usual bedtime is 10 p.m., which is when I begin to feel sleepy.
On occasion I don’t get to sleep for several hours, and then I wake up
in the morning not feeling so well. I discussed this with my physician,
who offered to give me sleeping pills. I declined because they are
addictive and I don’t get insomnia all the time. She thought the
problem might be due to emotional problems.
An acquaintance had a similar problem and took Vigor Force, which he
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said made him feel much better. It didn’t do anything for me. My doctor
said a balanced diet is more effective than dietary supplements. What
do you think?
A: I agree that sleeping pills are not the answer. Sometimes it helps
people if they take them just for a week or two to establish a more
normal pattern of sleep, but it is not good to take them longer.
Patients with chronic insomnia may be suffering from depression and
that is best treated with antidepressant medications.
Vigor Force is touted to be a mixture of herbs that increases sexual
potency in men. It is the opposite of a sleeping pill since many of its
ingredients are stimulants. One ingredient, ginkgo biloba, may be
harmful if taken with prescribed medications such as blood pressure
pills or diuretics. If you do have potency problems, you would be
better off to get actual testosterone, the male hormone, prescribed by
your doctor.
If you have trouble getting to sleep, don’t lie in bed tossing and
turning. Get up and read a book or watch TV until you get sleepy. Do
you nap in the afternoons or fall asleep in your chair after supper?
This could be interfering with nighttime sleep. Try not to nap for more
than 20 minutes a day.
Your doctor is partly correct about eating a balanced diet. But studies
have shown that vegetables today have less vitamins and trace minerals
than those grown 50 years ago. I expect this is due to the more modern
farming practices. Organic farmers are going back to more natural
methods, but in any case, you have to rely on the producer’s honesty,
as it is difficult to prove otherwise.
Most parts of Canada and the United States where a lot of vegetables
are grown have soil deficient in at least some minerals, particularly
selenium. Therefore I suggest a one-a-day vitamin and mineral pill such
as Centrum. There is a cheaper generic version available in most
supermarkets and drug stores. Those in health food stores are much more
expensive but not more effective.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont.
Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are
encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding
medical questions and treatments.
