Your body needs melatonin
in order to sleep soundly,
and drifting is
a sign you’re
not getting
enough.
‘You need
complete
darkness to
create this
sleep hormone,
but you also
need enough
tryptophan (an
amino acid
in your diet)
to boost your
levels,’ explains
Dr CraigHudson, a psychiatrist and
author of Feel Great Day &
Night: A Natural Approach
to Treating Insomnia. ‘On
top of that, remember to
observe all the usual ‘sleep
hygiene’ rules – keeping
your bedroom at 18-21°C
overnight, and writing
down your worries so
they don’t keep you awake.’Overheating can cause
itching, or it could simply
be that you’re allergic to the
laundry detergent you’ve
used to wash your sheets.
Other possibilities could
include side effects of
medicines, or even a liver
problem, especially if your
eyes are showing signs of
yellowing, caused by jaundice.
Itching at night
Remember...
Acid reflux may also cause
you to wake with a sore^
throat or dry cough. See
your GP as acid can irritate
your gullet and raise your
risk of oesophageal cancer.Sleep fixerS
Sleep disturbed by heartburn
can mean you’re eating
too late or having too much
spicy foods or fizzy drinks,
says Dr Di Cuffa.
‘If it becomes a new and
persistent problem, and it’s
not responding within a
month to antacid remedies,
or if symptoms recur, your
doctor should refer you for
a camera investigation to
check for an ulcer, and
to rule out other causes.’Acid reflux
What to do
Avoid having late-night
snacks and drinks, and sleep
with the head end of your bed
raised. If you’re still having
problems, see your GP.Drifting, not sleeping
What to do
If you’ve ruled out allergies and
medication, and a cooler bed
isn’t helping, it’s best to check
this out with your doctor.
What to do
Use a blackout mask, along
with relaxation techniques,
and a tryptophan-rich snack
or drink, such as a banana,
a glass of milk or a handful
of walnuts before sleep.