Insomnia and trouble sleeping increase as people get older. Approximately 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men are affected by insomnia, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Some doctors prescribe sleeping pills, such as Ambien, for short-term insomnia, but the best treatment for insomnia is cognitive-behavioral therapy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Causes of Insomnia
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the underlying cause of insomnia is usually a mental health disorder or medical condition. People who suffer from insomnia should seek medical care to rule out any health issues before taking Ambien.
The primary cause of insomnia, often a symptom of depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, won't be treated with Ambien. Therefore, many doctors recommend that people who suffer from insomnia participate in therapy as well as taking sleeping pills on the short term.
Features and Effects
Drugs.com reports that Ambien is known as a sedative or hypnotic. The drug works by affecting the chemicals in a person's brain, causing relaxation and sleep. People who take Ambien should only consume it when they can dedicate at least seven hours to sleep. It's not recommended for naps or when the person only has a few hours to sleep.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic reports that people who take Ambien are less likely to become dependent on the drug than if they were taking other sleeping pills such as Ativan or Dalmane. If a patient feels that he needs sleeping pills, this is one of the safer choices, because it's less likely to become habit-forming.
Preventing Insomnia
People who are wary of taking sleeping pills or experience negative side effects from taking Ambien should consider how they can prevent insomnia. If the person is already taking Ambien, he could try to prevent insomnia and only take sleeping pills when he can't fall asleep on his own. Some ways to prevent insomnia include regular exercise, setting a sleep schedule and sticking to it, avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, and setting the temperature in the bedroom so it is comfortable for sleeping.
Warning
Taking Ambien on a regular basis has some drawbacks. Someone who takes this medication must refrain from drinking alcohol, because the consequences could be deadly, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, those who take Ambien might feel groggy the next day. This could lead to a lack of concentration at work and an inability to complete assignments on time. The patient might feel as if her head is in a fog.
Some people experience strange behavior due to taking Ambien. Family members of patients have reported that Ambien users gorge on food while asleep or drive while sleeping, according to the Mayo Clinic. Usually the person doesn't remember that she did these things the next day.
