REM Sleep Labs Blog
Date posted: january 31, 2012 04:41pm
It's been a long day and you eagerly tuck yourself into bed, desperately wanting to get some sleep. All of a sudden your mind goes onto a million tangents, circling around work, bills, and relationship woes. You can only think of one solution for the midnight insomnia: popping the magical sleeping pill. According to IMS health, the number of sleep aid prescriptions is hitting a record high and Americans are taking sleep pills like vitamins. Experts say that insomnia is one of the first symptoms of stress, a culprit that causes numerous people to lose countless hours of sleep. Although these little pills seem harmless, experts warn that it can be easily addictive and carry serious side effects. Sleep experts at an Orange County sleep center can conduct an evaluation of your sleeping habit and help break your dependence on sleeping aids.
What Are Sleeping Pills And How Do They Work?
Sleeping pills are categorized as sedative hypnotics, a class of drugs that helps relax the body and trigger sleepiness. Some examples of sedative hypnotics include barbiturates (Phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Xanax/Valium), and opiates. These drugs are known as central nervous system depressants because it slows down the activity of the brain and induces drowsiness. Sleeping pills work by increasing the activity of brain chemicals called GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness, lower anxiety and relax muscles. A newer class of GABA inducing drugs called “Z drugs” (drug’s generic name contains letter Z) are now popular in the market due to a lower risk of addiction.
Dangers Of Sleeping Pills
Excessive use of sleeping pills can lead to increased tolerance and even addiction. One can easily take another half of a pill if they do not feel the desired effects and constantly up their tolerance without even realizing it. Sleeping pills can last for seven to eight hours, which means that not allotting enough time to sleep can result in having to wake up in the middle of a deep sleep cycle. This can contribute to serious side effects such as drowsy driving and decreased levels of productivity. Combining sleep meds with other CNS depressants, such as alcohol, can lead to toxic side effects that can be lethal.
Sleep Aids And Women
A survey by IMS Health also revealed that 15 million US women between the ages of 40-59 received a prescription for sleep meds, which is almost twice the number for men in the same age group. Another recent study from the National Sleep Foundation revealed that nearly three in ten women admit to taking sleeping pills a few times a week. Experts believe that women are exposed to multiple sources of stress, including work, family and personal life that contribute to the higher rate of insomnia and dependence on sleep aids. Dr. Nancy Collop, the director of Emory University Sleep Center, warns that using sleeping aids intermittently may not cause serious problems but overuse can quickly lead to “accidental addicts” that need medical treatment. Sleep doctors at an Orange County sleep center can evaluate your sleep habits and help you get quality rest without being dependent on sleeping aids.
Tips For Overcoming Insomnia
Before you take that sleeping pill, try to naturally induce sleep by winding down in a dark quiet room. Clearing your mind of endless thoughts and taking deep breaths also help relax the mind. Try to set a natural sleep rhythm by going to bed and waking up at a consistent time. Lastly, if you have difficulty falling asleep, get out of bed and do something else – like reading a book. If you notice your insomnia persists for more than three weeks, consult a trained sleep physician at an Orange County sleep center for a detailed sleep behavior analysis and an individualized treatment plan that works best for you.
