Ask the pharmacist: Is there a natural cure for sleep disturbances?

More and more people have problems getting a proper night’s sleep. At the same time the consumption of prescription sleep medicine is on the rise. We had a talk with pharmacist Gintare Paulauskaite about alternative ways to address the problem:

Are sleep problems common?

As a pharmacist, I notice that a lot of people complain about sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep, etc. I have observed that the number of patients with such problems increases with every passing year.

What causes disturbed sleep?

Sleep disorders can be caused by a number of reasons. Young people suffer from these disorders because they are affected by considerable work-related stress, making it difficult for them to relax and fall asleep at night. Older people are even more affected by sleep disorders. It has been established that the body produces increasingly less melatonin with age. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the brain during sleep.

Are sleeping pills a useful solution?

Sleeping pills can cause an addiction. Continuous use can results in a weakening sedative effect of these pills. Often, they have unwanted side effects such as drowsiness the next day, emotional impairment, reduced alertness, confusion, fatigue, headache, double vision, dizziness, muscle weakness etc.

What about melatonin as an alternative?

In my opinion, melatonin may be seen as a useful option and may even be tested before resorting to sleeping pills. Moreover, melatonin may be an option for those who already take the sedatives and rely on sleeping pills, either as a replacement or as an additional measure to reduce the need for prescription sedatives.

Are your customers generally satisfied with melatonin?

Yes, my customers have not said a single bad word about melatonin. They remain active and do not suffer from problems with fatigue.

How to you assess the quality of melatonin?

When assessing the quality of the product, the first thing I take into account is the manufacturer and the country in which the melatonin supplement is produced. It is important that the manufacturer can document the quality of the product and generally has a solid and reliable reputation.

Is melatonin useful against jet lag?

Yes, melatonin is a good solution for those who travel across times zones on a regular basis. Long-haul flights disrupt the circadian rhythm but with supplements of melatonin one can easily solve this problem.