You can take sleeping pills or see a doctor.
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Tylenol PM has worked for me in the past. I take the generic WalMart equivalent Equate PM. Not too long ago this question was discussed, and someone said that these PM's had Benydril and that is what worked. I have been thinking of just trying that.
My Dad had this problem, and he always drank a little warm milk.
If it persists, then he should see a doctor, of course, but I'm sure that you knew that.
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http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/articles/complementary_alternative_medicine/herbs_supplements/valerian.php
Source(s):
http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/articles/complementary_alte...

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Here are a couple of other lifestyle/habit changes that might help:

1. Cut down on caffeine intake, especially in the evening. Depending on his normal bed time, aim for at least 4 hours prior, if not 6.
2. Avoid watching TV or working/playing on the computer about 30-60 minutes before bed. This is tough for most people, but research shows that sitting in front of a monitor or TV may suppress melatonin production, which is essential to a good night's sleep. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20030620/nighttime-computer-users-may-lose-sleep
3. Get some exercise earlier in the day. Even a brisk-15 minute walk after dinner may help. Don't exercise too late, as this will get your metabolism going at a time when you want it to be settling down.
4. Avoid eating several hours before bed time, especially foods high in carbohydrates.
5. Confront stressful or anxiety-inducing factors right away. Living with you and your spouse may be causing him a great deal of inner turmoil, even if he isn't aware or won't admit it.

Be careful of abusing even over-the-counter medication. Treating the symptoms without addressing the root cause of the problem may only make things worse.
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There can be a number of reasons for this. If he's tried all the usual solutions and nothing is working, he really should go to a sleep disorder clinic. Sleep deprivation can affect everything from the heart to mood to metabolism, and vice-versa.

Two little-known causes of sleep problems are being diabetic, pre-diabetic or having leptin insensitivity (which can lead to the other two), and having a seratonin imbalance.

Some people find that taking 5-HTP, a seratonin precursor, can help the body produce higher levels of seratonin, which helps treat depression. It also helps the body produce melatonin, which helps induce sleep. I've had good results with it.

And following a way of eating that controls blood sugar can help the body regain its circadian rhythm. This would be something like the Leptin diet, the Rosedale diet, or Atkins. I've tried two of the three with excellent results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEZVZYeEUDY
Source(s):
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v31/n3/abs/0803438a

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/5htp_myth.htm

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Exercising helps me sleep. I ever since I've picked up running and lifting weights I sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
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Insomnia techniques you've probably already tried but are still worth trying again.

* See a Doctor

Insomnia can be a symptom of physical disorders, although for most of us it's the result of tension, stress and anxiety—and of course the more anxious we get about our insomnia, the worse it gets. If your doctor pronounces you a "healthy" insomniac, he might suggest some of the techniques provided here. Or she might prescribe drugs to help you get to sleep.

We suggest you try all these methods first, and use drugs only as a last resort. The decision, of course, is yours.

* Take a Warm Bath

It's a great way to relax your body. Don't overdo it, however. You merely want to relax your body, not exhaust it. Too long in hot water and your body is drained of vitality.

Use bath salts, or throw in Epsom salts and baking soda—one cup of each. These will relax you and also help remove toxins from your body.
* Get a Massage

Have your spouse (or whoever) give you a massage just before going to sleep. If you can convince them to give you a full body massage, great. If not, even a short backrub and/or a face and scalp massage can be a big help. Have them make the massage strokes slow, gentle, yet firm, to work the tension out of your muscles and soothe you to sleep.

* Listen to Music

Play some soft, soothing music that will lull you to sleep. There are even cassettes and records designed for that very purpose. Some are specially composed music, others simply have sounds of waves rhythmically breaking, or the steady pattern of a heartbeat.

Of course if you don't have a record, cassette or CD player that will automatically turn off, we don't suggest this. If you have to get up and turn it off at the end, you've obviously lost its effect.

* Drink Warm Milk

A glass of warm milk 15 minutes before going to bed will soothe your nervous system. Milk contains calcium, which works directly on jagged nerves to make them (and you) relax.

* Drink Herb Tea

If you don't like milk—or are avoiding dairy products—try a cup of hot camomile, catnip, anise or fennel tea. All contain natural ingredients which will help you sleep. Most health food stores will also have special blends of herb tea designed to soothe you and help you get to sleep.

* Eat a Bedtime Snack
* Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco
* Sleep in a Well-Ventilated Room
* Sleep on a Good Firm Bed
* Sleep on Your Back
* Get Some Physical Exercise During the Day
* Keep Regular Bedtime Hours
* If You Can't Sleep, Get Up
* Don't Sleep In
* Get Up Earlier in the Morning
* Keep Your Bed a Place for Sleep
* Avoid Naps
* Avoid Illuminated Bedroom Clocks

Insomnia Tips book

Insomnia Tips at Amazon

All the information in the book is already on this website at no cost. But the book is handier and you can give copies to friends and family.

Other Sleep Resources

Can't Sleep - A sleeping disorder forum

I Can't Sleep - articles and sleep information.
Of course there's the standard insomnia remedy
that everyone knows (although it never worked for us)

* Counting Sheep

Some insomnia techniques you probably
haven't seen before

* Sleep With Your Head Facing North
* Don't Watch TV or Read Before Going to Bed
* Toe Wiggling
* Stomach Rub
* Progressive Relaxation
* Deep Breathing
* Visualize Something Peaceful
* Visualize Something Boring
* Imagine It's Time to Get Up
* Quiet Ears

And some new suggestions from readers
who have found these remedies useful for their own insomnia.

* Not Thinking
* Smoke Yourself to Sleep
* Yawnin
* Backwards Counting / Mental Computer
* South, Not North
* Earplugs
* Secure Place
* Bedtime Routine
* Hot Water Bottle
* Green Cows—and Other Animals of Color
* Short Walk Before Bed

Good luck! Have a pleasant sleep!
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Ambien works for me. See your doctor for a prescription. It is available in 5mg, 10mg and Ambien CR (controlled release). There is no generic for the Ambien CR but if you go to their website you can get a 7 night free trial and coupons for $20.00 off of your first 5 prescriptions. I use the 10mg dose, I like it better than the controlled release.

If your brother is not too keen on taking prescription medications he can also try benadryl the generic works just as well as the brand name. The cheapest place to find it is at Walmart or if you have a membership the best value is at Sam's Club.
Source(s):
http://www.ambiencr.com/

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I have been an insomniac since the age of about 11. What I did as a child, I relearned later in a sleep class when I was in college.

While you can use over-the-counter medications or even prescription medications, these are only good in the short term and will not work over the long term. Drinking alcohol in the evening is also counter productive, as it is initially a soporific but that wears off is is more likely to cause him to wake up in the middle of the night.

You brother needs to get a sleep routine. He needs to do some relaxation exercises before he goes to bed each night. When he goes to be he needs to do a visualization exercise. He can visualize something that he likes, building something, designing something. But what is important is that the visualization is repetitive - the same every night. He should do this when he goes to bed at night, even if he doesn't have a problem getting asleep. This way, when he wakes up and has trouble getting asleep he has started to condition his mind and body to relax and fall asleep under certain conditions with the visualization exercise. This is something that will take time, as he is training his mind and body.

If in the short term, he decides to go the route of medication, he should still do the visualization exercises. This will eventually give him the skills to fall asleep without any medication.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/insomnia_treatment.htm
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Try to relax 1 hour before bedtime. Turn off all Television, Video games etc...1 hour before bedtime...make this the same time every night.
Try melatonin 30 min before actual sleep. Turn off lights in the room.

Avoid stimulant beverages 4 hours before bedtime. Sodas, coffee, etc all contain caffeine which is a stimulant.

If sleep is continued to be disturbed, it might be a medical condition. Also consult with a physician as this is not typical for an every-day situation. He might have a breathing problem that is undiagnosed.
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