Why Sleep Aid Pills are Not a Long Term Solution to Insomnia
It’s very tempting to resort to sleep aid pills if you’re having trouble sleeping. There are now a bewildering array of different sleep medications and some of them can now be easily purchased over the counter. But before rushing off to buy these drugs you should ask yourself the following questions; Do these medications have side effects? Do they actually help me sleep over the long term and are they safe to use with other medications?
Taking sleeping pills is only a short term term answer to insomnia and is in no way a cure. In fact taking any sleep drugs can actually make insomnia worse by causing an addiction to the drugs and serious withdrawal symptoms if the drugs are stopped suddenly. Drug tolerance may also be an issue, tolerance is needing to take ever increasing doses of the drug to achieve the same effect.
Apart from the above there are also more serious problems to consider when using drugs to help you to sleep. These can include side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth, interactions if you are taking other medications such as painkillers or different sedatives and rebound sleep disorders once you stop the medication. Another serious problem when taking sleeping pills is covering up another illness that prevents you from sleeping.
Sleep medications are strictly for use over the short term. If you suffer with chronic or long term insomnia, there may be other more appropriate ways of managing this condition such as cognitive behavioral therapy, stress relief or brainwave entrainment. If you still choose to use sleeping drugs, make sure your doctor prescribes ones suitable for your particular case.
When taking medication to help you sleep, it’s crucial to follow the instructions closely and tell your doctor if you are currently taking any other type of medication. Also tell your doctor if you have any allergies or ilnesses that may interact with the drugs. Stop drinking alcohol if you are on any type of sleeping drug as this could lead to unwanted side effects.
In conclusion, if you suffer with chronic or long term insomnia, it would be better to seek help from cognitive behavioral therapy, stress relief or brainwave entrainment. Sleep aid pills should be a last resort and then be taken for the short term only. Be sure to stick to the advised dose and check with your doctor if you experience any adverse effects.
Tags: brainwave entrainment, sleep aid pills, sleep medication, sleeping drugs