Medical Questions » Sleep Questions » Question No. 924
Question:After a whiplash injury to my neck, and blows to my head in an accident last year, i have had nothing but sleepless nights. I also injured my arm and leg. I am a male aged 29 and would like some advice on how to stop my sleepless nights.
Answer:You will need to be investigated to find if there is any permanent damage to your neck, head, arm or leg from the accident. If damage is discovered, this will need to be treated. If no damage is found, the cause of your sleeplessness may be pain, anxiety, discomfort, depression or a combination of these factors. Obviously, if you are in pain, or you can' t get comfortable at night because of your neck injury, taking a mild to moderate pain-killer (eg. paracetamol with codeine) will settle you down. If you are anxious, upset, depressed or under stress from rhe memory of the accident or other events in your life, you may need further help. You should avoid exercise, tea, coffee or cola drinks before going to bed. Once in bed, do not toss and turn for hours on end. If you are not asleep in 20 minutes, get up and entertain yourself for half an hour before going back to bed again. Having a radio playing quietly in the bedroom may put you to sleep. Concentrating in great detail on a pleasant event in the past, and trying to relive every moment of that day in you memory is another trick you can use. If all else fails, see your doctor to obtain a mild sleeping pill. These should be used intermittently rather than regularly, as it is quite easy to become dependent on them.
       
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