Health news - Melatonin not effective in treating sleep disorders and jet lag
17 February 2006 - written by Alexander Whitehead for Bupa's health information team
Taking the substance melatonin does not seem to be effective in treating secondary sleep disorders and jet lag, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal this month.1
What did the study show?
Researchers at the University of Alberta could find no evidence that melatonin can help people suffering from secondary sleep disorders or sleep disturbance associated with jet lag or shift work. They concluded that melatonin is safe to use for short periods, but that further research is needed to assess the safety of long-term use.1
How was the study carried out?
Researchers looked at the effects of melatonin on 97 people who had secondary sleep disorders. These are sleep problems associated mainly with medical and neurological conditions.
Researchers also conducted trials on 427 people who had sleep disorders as a result of sleep restriction. Typically, people in this category were those whose sleep was affected by their lifestyle, such as jet lag from air travel or working irregular shift patterns.
A third round of trials was carried out on 651 people to assess whether there were any adverse effects in using melatonin for three months or less.
As with many clinical trials, placebo ('dummy') drugs were used as a way of ensuring more accurate results.1
What is melatonin, and why is it used to ease jet lag and sleep problems?
Melatonin is a hormone found in the blood. It is secreted from the pineal gland. There are high levels of melatonin in the blood at night and lower levels during the day. Administering melatonin is thought to help control daily body rhythms and even alter the body's internal clock. It is one of the more popular over-the-counter products for treating sleep disorders. As with all complementary medicines, your GP is the best person to advise you on whether you should use it.
How many people suffer from sleep problems in the UK?
Around 770,000 people in the UK are affected by sleep disorders.2
Insomnia, often linked with anxiety and depression, is the most common disorder, affecting 10 to 15% of the population at any one time.3 Around 330,000 people suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), a condition where the narrowing or closing of the airways during sleep reduces blood oxygen levels, increases awakenings and causes excessive daytime drowsiness.2 Narcolepsy, a rare neurological condition most commonly found in teenagers and those in their early 20s, causes daytime drowsiness and causes people to fall asleep at any time. Around 28,000 people in the UK have the condition.
What are the common causes of sleep problems?
Anxiety, stress and depression often contribute to sleep problems. Alcohol and drug use also affect sleep. Other medical conditions can interrupt sleep patterns too. Pregnancy, menopause and the presence of young babies and children are other factors.
Can obesity lead to sleep problems?
Obesity is a major factor in OSAHS. Extra fat, especially around the neck, increases closure of the airways during sleep when the muscles are relaxed.4
Are sleep problems more common in older people?
Insomnia increases with age and is common in the elderly.3 Periodic leg movement disorder (PLMD) is also more common in older people. This keeps people awake. PLMS affects 5% of 30 to 50-year-olds, 30% of people over 50 and 50% of people over 65.5
Do children suffer sleep problems too?
Yes. Children can experience nightmares, night terrors and sleep paralysis, all of which affect sleep. Sleepwalking is common, too. Most children grow out of experiencing these conditions.
What are the health risks of poor sleeping habits?
Poor sleeping habits can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke. They can also reduce libido, impair memory and cognitive functions, and lead to accidents at home or at work. More than 20% of motorway accidents in some parts of the UK are caused by sleepiness.6
What are the effective ways to improve poor sleep?
There are many ways in which you can improve the quality of your sleep, such as:
- Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule.
- Don't go to bed too soon or you may have trouble falling asleep, or your sleep may be restless.
- Don't nap. Napping can disrupt normal sleep cycles. Try skipping your nap and see if your regular sleep patterns improve.
- Make your bedroom a 'quiet' room. Don't watch television in your bedroom. Use it for sleeping or quiet reading.
- Establish relaxing before-bed routines. Take a bath, drink a glass of warm milk or do some light reading before bedtime.
- Don't use stimulants or have drinks that contain caffeine (tea, coffee, cola, etc.) six hours before bedtime.
- Don't use alcohol or tobacco products close to bedtime. Use of these products may calm you at the time of use, but they can have disrupting effects on your sleep during the night.
- Exercise regularly. Regular activity helps the body and mind stay healthy - but avoid vigorous exercise right before bedtime.
People suffering from persistent sleep problems or excessive daytime sleepiness can see their GP or pharmacist for advice.
Bupa Information:
Bupa factsheet: Insomnia
Bupa factsheet: Snoring and sleep apnoea
Bupa factsheet: Sleep for school children
Further information:
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association
References
- Buscemi N, Vandermeer B, Hooton N, Pandya R, Tjosvold L, Hartling L et al. Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis. British Medical Journal 2006; 332, 385-8
- Sleep SOS Report: The Impact of Sleep on Society. Weber Shandwick Visual Communications/Sleep Alliance/Cephalon Ltd. www.sleeping.org.uk.
- Shneerson. JM. Sleep Medicine: A Guide to Sleep and Its Disorders. 2nd ed. Blackwell Publishing, 2005
- Douglas NJ. Clinician's Guide to Sleep Medicine. Arnold, 2002
- Lavigne GJ et al. Restless legs syndrome & sleep bruxism: prevalence and association amongst Canadians. Sleep 1994
- Horne JA, Reyner LA. Sleep-Related Vehicle Accidents. British Medical Journal 1995; 310, 565-7
All pages were accessed on 15 February 2006.
