After the program, sleep researcher and professor John Axelsson answered questions in the chat. Below you can read the chat afterwards.

See Ask the Doctor on SVT Play

Chat about sleep

Javascript needs to be enabled in your browser for this instant report to update automatically.

Yesterday 20:37 p.m.

Hi, many thanks for all the questions. Although it is difficult to get good sleep for many, I hope you got some tips that may be worth trying.
Good luck and thanks for me

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:37 p.m.

Thanks for all the questions! Now we close the chat for tonight.

We also thank John Axelsson for answering your questions!

Hanna

SVTModerator

Yesterday 20:34 p.m.

Berit• Can it be dangerous, to put the body processes out of play, to take a melatonin tablet every night?

Hi, melatonin is not considered to have any major side effects, but it is of course good to be careful. Especially as many take very strong melatonin doses. Since melatonin is a very dynamic endogenous hormone to be secreted in the evening, you should not be so worried that it puts the body's processes out of play.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:31 p.m.

Selena• It has been stated by several experts in the media that you should expose yourself to daylight early in the day to set the biological clock to a good, i.e. natural, circadian rhythm.
1. Does it work to get daylight through windows or should you be outdoors?
2. How long in daylight early in the day is needed?
3. Does it have to be in the absolute sense early in the morning, or is the main thing to get daylight shortly after awakening?
If one wakes up at eleven o'clock; Is it useful, then, to get daylight before noon?

Hey, daylight clearly works best. If you do not have opportunities, you should be in a bright room, and if you stand right next to a window, you get much more light than just a few meters into the room. To become more of a morning person, it is important to start just when you get up (and then you can bring the light forward gradually). If you have a very late rhythm (eg waking up at 11) then it is actually good not to do it at 7 in the morning but do it just right as you usually get up. Preferably an hour if you can be out for a while. NB! An important aspect is to avoid bright lighting in the evening in order to successfully bring forward one's rhythm.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:27 p.m.

Eva Orrling Who gets referred to a sleep clinic? What happens in a sleep clinic?

There are many different types of sleep disorders, and you are referred to a sleep clinic for some of the serious sleep disorders. What you do in a sleep clinic depends on what symptoms you have and what you suspect is the cause. This can mean filling in a sleep diary during the week, wearing a sleeper for a period of time (measuring sleeping times), sometimes you have to sleep at the seam clinic (or in your home) with equipment that measures brain activity, breathing, if you have leg movements, etc. during sleep.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:22 p.m.

Nadia• Hi have tried everything when it comes to sleep CBT sleeping pills and talked to psychologist nothing helps can not fall asleep at all . What else is there to do

Hi, it's really hard for those who try many treatments but do not manage to get better. It's hard to say why and what might work for you is hard. What is still a good insight is that you are actually asleep (everyone does, although it is extremely difficult to know for yourself what is sleep or not when lying in bed during the night). We both get to hope that you get a little more sleep than you think. You should look into conducting a new CBT treatment (with a new therapist), and be sure to follow the treatment properly. You should also make sure to be physically active every day (at least 1-2 hours), be outdoors in the morning and avoid naps. Although you have probably tried to introduce a calming sleep routine, try it (remove screens hours before bedtime) so try for example with a warm shower about 15-20 minutes before you go to sleep. Hopefully, it can help you sleep a little better. And remember that an important factor is how you function during the daytime.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:15 p.m.

John keeps chatting until 20:30 p.m. So please continue to submit your questions :)

Hanna

SVTModerator

Yesterday 20:13 p.m.

Lena in Umeå • I scare my surroundings about 30 after bedtime, when falling asleep. It's disaster mode, the hand grenade in the walls, tsunami warning, the dog goes into the wall and unknown creatures are perched on the closet. I scream but am never aware of what I'm doing, my husband tells me in the morning and I don't understand anything. How should I go about avoiding this. Still falls asleep relatively quickly and sleeps well for the rest of the night...

Hello, you suffer from night terrors (which often comes at the beginning of sleep). You don't have to be so worried about your sake, but it's often hard for your partner and family. It can get worse from stress and alcohol so be careful with it in the hours before going to bed. In some cases, you can even treat with medicines.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:09 p.m.

BamBam One thing that has messed things up a bit for me now is that I've gained weight and move less! I think I will be much more alert after my sleep if I get back to my normal rhythm with the fact that I can swim at least 2000 m per occasion and 3 times / v ! Then sleep will be better, right?

There are many studies that show that physical activity is good for sleep. Try to be active at least 3-4 days a week.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher

Yesterday 20:07 p.m.

Mike • Hi, You said that those with insulin problems should not take a nap during the day. What do you mean by insulin problems?

Hi, naps are good for most people (a great way to catch up a bit of sleep if you've had a disturbed sleep) but insomniacs should be careful. Long naps after lunch can make it a little harder to fall asleep in the evening.

John Axelsson

sleep researcher