What is Melatonin and Should It Be Used for Sleeping Disorders?
Melatonin is a natural hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. It is responsible for controlling the daily sleeping and waking patterns in humans. The melatonin levels begin to rise in mid to late evening and remain high throughout the night aiding in sleeping until they drop in the early morning hours.
Natural melatonin levels slowly diminish with age so that older adults make very little melatonin in their body naturally or do not make any at all. That is one of the reasons that older adults tend to have more sleeping problems although in some cases they just don't require as much sleep as they age.
Since the early 1990's melatonin has been available as a dietary supplement in the United States. But it is much more restricted in some countries or not available at all. Research has been conducted on how melatonin might help the immune system or slow down the aging process although nothing is proven.
Melatonin is often used for patients who suffer from sleep disorders or those who do not produce enough natural melatonin. In many cases it is used by people who suffer from jet lag, particularly frequent travelers where they are constantly crossing various time zones making regular sleep patterns difficult so that their "biological clock" can easily get out of sync. The melatonin tends to regulate their sleep patterns so that they can get back on track.
Melatonin is found to be safe if used in small or mild doses for short term use. However, it should not be taken for longer than two to three months. Anyone who takes melatonin should seek medical advice before taking it, particularly if they are on any regular medications or suffer from any health issues when they start taking it. This is also true if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
Melatonin is taken in dosages that vary from 0.2mg to 20mg and can have side effects such as drowsiness or stomach problems or morning grogginess. This means that anyone taking melatonin should use care when driving or operating machinery and should consult a physician if their symptoms persist. Melatonin should never be taken on a regular basis for sleeping disorders without consultation with a physician as every individual reacts differently and requires different amounts of melatonin.
For long term use, melatonin should not be used for sleeping disorders unless it is regulated by a physician as the side effects can be too risky.
Natural melatonin levels slowly diminish with age so that older adults make very little melatonin in their body naturally or do not make any at all. That is one of the reasons that older adults tend to have more sleeping problems although in some cases they just don't require as much sleep as they age.
Since the early 1990's melatonin has been available as a dietary supplement in the United States. But it is much more restricted in some countries or not available at all. Research has been conducted on how melatonin might help the immune system or slow down the aging process although nothing is proven.
Melatonin is often used for patients who suffer from sleep disorders or those who do not produce enough natural melatonin. In many cases it is used by people who suffer from jet lag, particularly frequent travelers where they are constantly crossing various time zones making regular sleep patterns difficult so that their "biological clock" can easily get out of sync. The melatonin tends to regulate their sleep patterns so that they can get back on track.
Melatonin is found to be safe if used in small or mild doses for short term use. However, it should not be taken for longer than two to three months. Anyone who takes melatonin should seek medical advice before taking it, particularly if they are on any regular medications or suffer from any health issues when they start taking it. This is also true if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
Melatonin is taken in dosages that vary from 0.2mg to 20mg and can have side effects such as drowsiness or stomach problems or morning grogginess. This means that anyone taking melatonin should use care when driving or operating machinery and should consult a physician if their symptoms persist. Melatonin should never be taken on a regular basis for sleeping disorders without consultation with a physician as every individual reacts differently and requires different amounts of melatonin.
For long term use, melatonin should not be used for sleeping disorders unless it is regulated by a physician as the side effects can be too risky.