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Our bodies naturally produce Melatonin. In Autistic Children, the amount of Melatonin produced is not
enough. The lack of Melatonin can lead to having problems falling asleep at night. As anyone know who has surffered
from even short bouts of insomnia, night after night of
too little sleep can really take a toll on an Autistic child. And in the waking hours of the child, you will
see the effects of this in more unwanted behaviors.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a neurohormone produced in the brain by the pineal gland, from the amino acid tryptophan.
The production of melatonin by the body is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light.
Melatonin is an agent
that promotes sleep. And is often used by people who travel to help reset the body's circadian
rhythm. It is also has beneficial effects in the treatment of certain insomnias.
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And, of course, it is not just the child who is sleep deprived. If a child is not
sleeping, most of the time one or both parents are not sleeping as well. This can make for a terribly
grouchy child and set of parents. To say the least, starting out the day tired can ruin the entire day.
Your child will be uncooperative with you or everyone else. An, of course, this can make therapy or
doctor's appointments very unpleasant.
What can you do? If your Autistic child is having problems sleeping, consider giving them
supplemental Melatonin.
As a dietary supplement, Melatonin can be found at most pharmacies, or health food stores. Melatonin is a
safer approach than using prescription medication. Prescription medications can make the child
dependant on them to sleep and can only be used for a short time. Melatonin is naturally produced in our
bodies. Using the supplement just
helps to make sure the body has enough to allow the child to fall asleep.
Melatonin should be given to the child about thirty minutes before their bed time. The dosage should be
the lowest possible, that still is effective. Most Autistic children do well on a dose of one to three milligrams.
Always start with the lowest dose. Too high of a dose can make waking up the child, the next day,
harder to do. It can also give the child nightmares. If too high a dose is given the child can still be
tired and groggy which is not the desired effect. You want the child to feel rested and energized. You
May need to experiment a bit before you find just the right amount to give. Again, start with the lowest
dosage.
Melatonin for Sale
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Because Melatonin is produced by the body throughout one's lifetime, taking additional
Melatonin, regularly, usually does not cause it to lose its effectiveness. This means that the
Melatonin should not stop working with continuous use. But if by some slight chance your child does build
up a tolerance, stop giving it for a
few days, or a week. Then restart using the Melatonin, it should work fine.
Melatonin given to Autistic kids is found to have other benefits as well, above and beyond the
improvements in sleep. The children who take
Melatonin are found to be more alert the next day. They are more "with it" during the day. Melatonin has
also been found to help with some
anxiety and depression. These additional benefits may arise from the stabilization of body rhythms
that may have been out of synch before the melatonin supplementation. If you see your child's behavior and
alertness improve, you maybe able to avoid other medications that sometimes have harmful side effects.
The NEW AUTISM Miracle Breakthrough - If you are intent on changing your child's life,
there is new research out for people with Autism that has helped dozens of children reverse the effects
of their condition.
To learn more about this AUTISM BREAKTHROGH, click here.
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You and your child need a
good night's sleep. So if your Autistic child is having problems sleeping, additional Melatonin might be
the answer. If they are on any medications to help them sleep, now, consult your doctor before trying
Melatonin. Melatonin should only be given to the child, once a day, before bed time.
Taking Melatonin any other time, such as the
middle of the night, can interrupt the child's internal clock. This could cause more problems than
the lack of sleep...
If your doctor suggests a sleeping medication be used for your Autistic child, ask about using Melatonin,
instead. It does not have any side effects - the child will not become dependant on the Melatonin to
help them sleep - our bodies produce Melatonin on itgs onw. Sometimes our bodies
just do not produce enough. The Melatonin supplement adds the extra amount needed to fall asleep,
and stay asleep for a good night's rest.
About the Author: Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including:
Diet Cures,
Harvest The Sun | Renewable Energy,
Grilled To Perfection - Barbecue,
Dieting Help | Move More - Eat Less, and
On The Hook | Fishing Supplies.
News about Autism and Melatonin
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