Proven Sleep Aids
As problems of insomnia grow so does the need for sleep aids which is why so many pharmaceutical companies and over the counter medication manufacturers have done so well at attempting to combat this disorder.
Often when one is losing sleep and the hours are ticking by it is likely that they will do whatever it takes at that point to fall asleep. Looking for a quick and easy fix might send them rushing to a 24 hour drug store in search of an over the counter medication.
The good news is that there will be a nice big selection to choose from and for less than ten bucks you should be fast asleep in no time. The bad news is that these drugs can be dangerous and often carry serious adverse side effects in the long run.
These medications are designed to be used very short term and unfortunately they often are not. As the person continues to use them they will build a tolerance to them which just leads to greater problems in the future.
When the insomnia has not yet grown out of control to the point of sleep depravation then while the mind is still functioning on a rational basis rather than out of desperation, many turn to herbal remedies or a combination of herbal remedies in conjunction with natural sleep aids such as meditation, yoga, breathing techniques, and relaxation practices. Together this works very well for many and when they stop taking them there are no adverse effects at all.
It is important that people seek help well before the sleep disorder turns into sleep depravation. Brain function deteriorates very quickly when the body is not getting sufficient sleep because the brain has to work much harder in order to battle the insomnia and the deprivation. Although it is working much harder it is doing so much less effectively by levels of concentration failing and through impaired memory.
Prescription medication can be rather complex because not much research has been done about insomnia so first a doctor should evaluate the person, making sure that they have no underlying health problems or any possible side effects from medication that they may be on.
Often, prescription medication can cause insomnia and if that is indeed the problem then perhaps those medications can be switched and that may be suitable enough. Once it has been determined that there are no problems then the doctor will likely write you a prescription sleep aid.
The problem with prescription sleep aids is that they can be addictive if taken for a prolonged period of time. Some of them also have a tendency to leave a groggy and sleepy effect the next day. But once the medication is gone, it is likely that the insomnia will return so it is like putting a bandage on the problem without a long-term solution.
There are other problems that plague people and cause insomnia so besides the usual over the counter sleep aids, prescription sleep aids, natural remedies, herbal remedies; there are still other sleep aids that many may not have heard of including cervical pillows that encourage positioning the head to the side so that snoring is reduced whether sleeping on the back or in a side position.
Ergonomic pillows, CD’s designed to discharge stress and anxiety, hypnosis sessions designed to relax the mind, body and emotions so that you drift off into a nice easy sleep and wake feeling refreshed afterwards, biofeedback, aroma therapy, relaxation devices and light / sound instruments, meditation, hypnosis, stress reduction, fragrances pure essential oils, sounds that include ocean, rain, brook, and heartbeats along with many other sleep aids have been used. Some have proven beneficial while others have been futile.
Prescription sleep aids generally are categorized in two ways.
The technical terms are selective gamma-amino butyric acid medications and sleep-wake cycle modifiers and these have been said to be much safer than the original class of sleep medication that was handed out known as benzodiazepine drugs. Those were both habit forming and addictive.
There are still problems with the newer prescription sleeping pills too though especially if they are mixed with other substances or if the recommended dose is taken as then there are a risk of over-sedation and death.
Both the older and newer classes also have the potential for physical dependence, but the chance of becoming addicted is low when a patient takes the appropriate dose, medical professionals say. Mixing them with alcohol or other medications and going over a prescribed dose can be dangerous even fatal.
The difference is that the newer classification of drugs usually does not cause a person to build a tolerance to them; there fore they do not have to increase the dose to get the original effect. And once benzodiazepines are stopped, sleep problems can worsen.
Benzodiazepines also have been found to be respiratory suppressants, which slow breathing and can be dangerous when mixed with other respiratory suppressants like alcohol, while the newer class of medications doesn’t appear to pose these threats. Even though Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata are commonly prescribed by physicians, they still need to be taken with caution.
A lack of sleep can alter your mood and it can also hurt your body too. Those who lack sleep are at a much greater risk of hypertension, depression, and heart attack. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disturbances in the United States.
If you notice that you have the inability to concentrate, that you are nodding off during work or school, if you have a hard time getting up in the morning, feeling moody, irritable, depressed or anxious then odds are that you are suffering from insomnia or are not getting proper sleep.