Insomnia Medications
Should You Take Sleep Medications To Get A Good
Night’s Rest?
Insomnia medications are almost as numerous and varied
as insomnia patients themselves. Some of these drugs
have been more successful than others and no drug will work exactly
the same for every person, so it is necessary to find the one
which works best for you.
Since all sleep medications are designed to help you fall asleep
or stay asleep, it is recommended that you take them just before
going to bed. And you should never try to participate in any activities
which require sharp concentration, such as driving or operating
machinery, after taking them. They should be taken as part of
a regular sleep routine in order to maximize their effectiveness.
The earliest insomnia medications are benzodiazepines,
such as Halcion. These powerful drugs remain in the system for
long periods of time and induce a sound sleep which makes them
particularly useful for treating conditions such as sleep walking
and extreme night terrors. They can also have a lasting effect
after you wake up and can lead rather easily to dependence, so
caution should be exercised when using them.
In recent years, a new group of prescripton
sleep medications have been developed which don’t last
as long in the system and thus have less of a drowsiness factor
than more powerful drugs. These include Lunesta, Ambien and Rozerem,
among others. These drugs are particularly effective for
people who have difficulty falling asleep as they work relatively
quickly. There have been some cases of serious side effects
but taken within reason, these medications can be quite useful.
Since insomnia is often a side effect of depression, some
of the most common insomnia medications are actually anti-depressants,
such as Trazodone. However, with Trazodone insomnia treatment
alone without symptoms of depression would be considered an off-label
use.
These drugs are particularly helpful in treating sleep disturbance
caused by anxiety or stress. Often, successfully treating other
symptoms of depression will help to ease sleep related symptoms
as well.
While most of the stronger sleep medications are only available
with a prescription, there are also over
the counter sleep aids. Most of these are antihistamines
and are relatively safe to take, though they can cause some drowsiness.
Also, if you are taking other antihistamines for asthma or allergies,
overdose can be a concern.
Along with taking insomnia medications, there are other
steps you can take to help ease sleep
disorders. These include cutting back on natural
stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine and trying to keep
your bedroom as relaxing and comfortable as possible to encourage
good, restful sleep. Also, you should avoid eating for at least
4-6 hours before going to bed as having a full stomach can disrupt
regular sleep patterns.
Getting a good night’s sleep is more important
than most people think. It can be the key to good health.
If something is disrupting your regular sleep pattern you should
discuss it with your doctor and find out if there is something
you can do to correct the problem. Feeling well can be as simple
as sleeping well, so don’t let anything keep you from getting
the sleep you need!
Related Articles:
Insomnia Treatments
Herbal Sleep Aids
Natural Sleep Aids
Over The Counter Sleep
Aids
Prescription Sleep Aids
Facts About Insomnia
Symptoms of Insomnia
Sleep Maintenance Insomnia
Return from Insomnia Medications to
Sleep Aids
Return to Home
TOP
|
