Millions use sleeping pills to get to sleep every night. In fact, over 20% of older Americans use some kind of sleeping pill, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (they do not define a range for "older"). Knowing the benefits and the risks of different sleep aids can help you find the right solution for your sleepless nights. However, while sleep aids may be helpful for short periods of sleeplessness, dependence upon them is not healthy, and may even worsen the symptoms of insomnia.
Crash Course in Insomnia
Insomnia is a symptom of other heath issues. While the occasional sleepless happens to almost everyone, consistent sleeplessness is often due to emotional stress and anxiety, disease and chronic pain. In many cases, the distressed body and mind disrupt sleep by preventing relaxation. Sleeping pills and supplements aid the process of relaxation through biochemical means, but not all are effective for every sleeping trouble.
Hypnotics
The most powerful sleep aids are prescription medications known as hypnotics. According to Sleexdex.org, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics such as zolpidem and zaleplon are the most commonly prescribed sleep aids. These medications target GABA-A receptor sites in the brain to help with falling asleep and staying asleep. In general, hypnotics are recommended for up to 10 days of use. All hypnotic sleep aids have the potential for addiction and abuse.
Anti-depressants
Anti-depressant medications are not approved in the United States for treating insomnia alone, but many people with sleeping issues also suffer from depression and anxiety. Antidepressant drugs work by indirectly increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which leads not only to improved mood but also healthier sleep architecture. Trazodone, doxepin, trimipramine, amitriptyline, and mirtazipine all can be helpful for inducing sleep when taken in low doses, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Over-the-counter meds
The most effective sleep aids available without a prescription are antihistamine medications. The primary function of these drugs is to reduce allergic reactions by stopping histamine release into the bloodstream. Drowsiness happens to be a side effect of this process. Diphenhydramine is the most common, but other antihistamines that have a sedative effect include chlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine.
Precautions
No matter the sleeping pill, these medications may not be effective for severe or long-standing insomnia alone and should not be considered a substitution for care. If sleep problems persist more than three days a week for over a month, consult a medical professional. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that sleeping aids are most effective if used in conjunction with other kinds of treatment, such as psychotherapy and cognitive-behavior therapy. Reducing stimulants, getting good exercise, learning relaxation techniques and having a healthy diet all can contribute to better sleep.
