Sleeping Pill Facts

Have you ever thought about taking a sleeping pill to get you that good night’s rest that you have been searching for? Many people suffer from insomnia to some degree or another or just have an occasional hard time sleeping due to tension, pain, depression, or one of many other causes. It can be a tempting option to think that just by popping a pill you can settle down for a restful night. You can find a wide variety of sleeping pill products over the counter at your local drug store, grocery store, or even a discount store. But, is this the best way for you to get to sleep? The answer is—maybe, maybe not.

How Does This Type Of Drug Work?

There are actually a couple of different ways that a sleep aid can work. Some are anti-histamines that simply make you drowsy. Other types of sleeping pill options are sedatives or hypnotics that relax your muscles or act as an anti-anxiety agent. If you have been struggling with sleep issues for a while, it may not hurt to give one of these products a try but it should not be done on a long term basis.

Dangers

The dangers of using these medications are numerous. They can become extremely addictive because you need them to get to sleep and the longer you take a sleeping pill the more that you will need to take to get to sleep. You may also still be sleepy after it is time for you to be awake and drowsiness while driving or performing some tasks can be very dangerous. It also may be masking a more serious problem.

If you are taking a sleeping pill because you have chronic pain, it would be a better idea to visit your doctor to find out what the cause of your pain is than to continue taking the sleep aid. The same can be true for many other chronic sleep problems. If they last longer than a few days, you should definitely consult a medical professional before you over-medicate yourself.

Taking a sleeping pill can also aggravate conditions such as glaucoma, hyperthyroidism and sleep apnea. If you take an anti-histamine based sleep-aid it can actually cause you to become more excitable and unable to sleep.

Simple Aternatives

There are many alternatives to taking a sleeping pill. Some natural ways that will help you to sleep better include: drinking a warm glass of milk (no, it is not just an “old wives tale,) limiting caffeine and other drinks after dinner, exercising (especially if it is done earlier in the day,) and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, may all work as well as taking a sleeping pill.