Insomnia is a symptom characterized by having trouble falling or staying asleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. It may be caused by poor sleep habits, bad sleep environment, medications, pain, stress, depression, anxiety or other sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea, or snoring from the person who sleeps with you.
Size
The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 48 percent of people in the United States have occasional insomnia, and that 22 percent experience insomnia nearly every, or every night. Women are 1.3 times more likely to suffer from insomnia than men; people over 65 are 1.5 times more likely than younger people, and unmarried people more than those with a spouse. Each year approximately 25 percent of people in the United States take medication to aid them to fall and/or stay asleep.
Identification
Sleep aids can be effective for people who identified the cause of their insomnia, do not have symptoms relieved from behavior changes, suffer from short-term insomnia, or have difficulties performing activities in the days following their inability to get a good night's sleep.
Prescription Medications
Hypnotics are benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine drugs that induce and maintain sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. Hypnotics can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, decrease the number of awakenings, increase total sleep time, and improve sleep quality, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Dalmane, Klonopin and Doral are brands of long-acting benzodiazepines that can last for 10 hours or longer for people who wake up too early. Xanax, Ativan, Restoril, Halcion, Serax, Centrax and ProSom, are brands of shorter acting benzodiazepines that can last from six to 10 hours for people who have trouble falling asleep.
Non-benzodiazepines are newer drugs that are effective in treating insomnia with fewer side effects than benzodiazepines. Ambien, Ambien CR, Lunesta, Sonata and Rozerem are some of the non-benzodiazepines. Sonata last a short time and is good for people who cannot fall asleep. Ambien requires people who plan on sleeping for at least seven hours. Lunesta and Rozerem can last even longer. Rozerem is not habit- forming.
Over-The-Counter Sleep Aids
Non-prescription drugs are popular as a sleep aid. Antihistamines and pain killers have sedative qualities and can induce drowsiness. However these drugs are not designed or adequately tested for sleep.
Melatonin is available over-the-counter in pharmacies and health food stores. Melatonin is a nocturnal hormone made in the brain. According to research published in "CNS Drugs," melatonin may improve sleep among shift-workers who need to sleep during the daytime.
Warning
Hypnotics can cause accidents among all users, memory loss in the elderly, and excessive drowsiness and increased risk of death when taken with alcohol.
Benzodiazepines taken during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Benzodiazepines can be addictive, especially in long-term daily use, and can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety and even death, if stopped abruptly.
Non-benzodiazepines are recommended for under a month because longer use can cause people who take them to eat, make phone calls or even drive while asleep.
References
- National Sleep Foundation: Sleep Aids and Insomnia
- National Institutes of Health: Hypnotics
- "CNS Drugs"; Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders; Zisapel, N.; 2001
