The majority of sleeping pills are available over-the-counter and come in a variety of forms, including as supplements. A lot of people can fall asleep, though, if they follow good sleep hygiene habits and try different methods and activities.
Sleeping pills work to treat insomnia by trying to trick you to sleep and relaxing you. Aside effects are possible with sleep aids, even natural ones like melatonin. Throughout the day, you could experience daytime confusion or sleepiness. Some people (parasomniacs) can move or eat while they are asleep. Other non-drug treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are more effective at enhancing sleep.
What Exactly Are Sleep Aids?
Sleeping pills, as their name implies, aid in sleep. These drugs may be used by people with sleep disorders like insomnia to aid in sleep. If you wake up frequently at night, taking sleeping pills may also help you stay asleep.
Who Should Use Sleeping Pills?
People who suffer from insomnia may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, wake up too early, or feel drained when they awaken.
Insomnia medications may not always be necessary for many people, though. Changing one’s lifestyle to include activities like exercising during the day and avoiding heavy meals, alcohol, and caffeine before bed can frequently enhance a person’s sleep.
A new mattress or other changes to the bedroom environment could also be beneficial. A sleeping aid might be a viable short-term solution if making these changes is unable to alleviate severe insomnia. Numerous over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and supplements, as well as a variety of sleeping pills, are offered for purchase. For advice on the best course of action, anyone with persistent insomnia should speak with their doctor.
How Do Sleeping Pills Function?
Sleeping pills come in a variety of forms. Every functions differently. Some sleep pills cause drowsiness, while others block the area of the brain that causes alertness.
How Well Do Sleeping Pills Work?
According to studies, taking sleeping pills doesn’t really help you get a good night’s sleep. Most people who take adhd medications usually nod off eight to twenty minutes sooner than those who don’t. You could possibly get an extra 35 minutes of sleep on average.
Typically, sleep aids should only be used temporarily. They might be especially useful if a traumatic life event, like a divorce or a death in the family, is keeping you up at night.
Who Would Require Sleeping Pills?
Long-term insomnia is thought to affect one in every six individuals. As you age, sleeping problems become more prevalent. A third or more of older people take some sort of sleep aid.
What Kinds of Sleeping Pills Are Available Over-the-counter (OTC)?
All adults can buy OTC sleeping pills at pharmacies. In OTC sleep aids, antihistamines are usually present. In addition to treating allergies, this drug has sedative properties. Despite the fact that these sleeping medications are easily accessible, you should speak with a doctor before using them. The ingredients in over-the-counter sleep aids (including supplements) may combine poorly with other drugs or aggravate pre-existing medical issues.
You can also read about What is Sleep Disorders and How to Prevent and Cure it
What potential negative effects might sleeping pills have?
The day after taking sleep medication, about eight out of ten people experience a hangover. They experience sleepiness, foggy thinking, dizziness, and balance issues. Your ability to drive, work, attend school, and carry out daily tasks may be negatively impacted by these daytime side effects.
The following side effects may occur from both over-the-counter and prescription sleeping aids and supplements:
- Either diarrhea or constipation.
- The mouth is dry.
- Headaches.
- Weakness of the muscles.
- Digestive issues such as gas, heartburn, and motion sickness.
Your body might grow accustomed to sleeping pills if you take them every night. Your insomnia might get worse when you stop taking the medication. Rebound insomnia is the term for this effect.
Consult your healthcare provider about the best way to stop using sleep aids if you’ve been using them for a while. Stopping the pill use could take several months.
Additionally, you shouldn’t combine sedatives or alcohol with sleep aids. Overdosing is a potential risk.