sleep disorders

[alegna1]

can a chemical imbalance in your brain which affects your sleeping chemicals and sleep receptors cause insomnia are some people what are the chemicals called which are affected and can it be treated apart from habit forming sleeping pills, would a neurologist be able to help.
A.

[allmymarbles]

A neurologist can help if it is a neurologic problem. It is more likely that an endocrinologist can help. In my case I found the insomnia was caused by an iodine deficiency. It took 30 years to figure that out! Sleep problems can be nasty.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, there are hormones and neurotransmitters and receptors which play role in sleep and wakefulness. Melatonin is one such hormone and it appears to be the primary sleep-regulating hormone of the body. It is secreted in relation with normal day/night cycles. It affects sleep itself, decreasing sleep latency, increasing sleep efficiency, and increasing the total sleep time. Melatonin acts on the melatonin receptors.

Other neurotransmitters are neuropeptides like orexin-A and orexin-B which are basically involved in wakefulness. Excess of these peptides can also lead to insomnia.

The investigations which will help to diagnose the type and cause for insomnia are Polysomnography, Multiple sleep latency test and Actigraphy .

The therapy for this condition includes retaining of normal circadian rhythm by non-pharmacological therapy which includes; Photo therapy, maintenance of sleep hygiene. You need to go for morning exercises and work out which will make you fresh and active all day and tiredness at the end of day will help you to induce sleep naturally.

Pharmacological therapy includes short course of appropriate sedatives and Hypnotics against prescription. Non-benzodiazepines are effective in delayed onset sleep disorder and help to initiate the sleep. Along with this you also need behavioral therapy.

I suggest you to consult sleep specialist rather than neurologist. Take care and regards.