Taking a sleeping pill in the middle of the night greatly increases the risk of daytime drowsiness. It also raises the risk that you will get out of bed without being fully awake.
Many people with insomnia wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to go back to sleep. There is one sleeping pill that is FDA approved for sleep maintenance insomnia.
Intermezzo can be taken in the middle of the night. You should take it when you have at least four hours of bedtime left. Talk to your doctor to determine if a sleeping pill is right for you. Another effective treatment option is c ognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Accessed Oct. Matheson E, et al. Insomnia: Pharmacologic therapy. American Family Physician. Smith E, et al. Pharmacotherapy for insomnia in primary care. Insomnia: Safe use of sleep aids.
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Sleep medications are one of the most common treatments for insomnia. Used properly, they can be a helpful way of drifting off on nights when sleep is difficult.
Unfortunately, studies have found that many people develop unsafe habits regarding sleep aids. By working with a doctor and understanding the risks associated with sleep medications, you can minimize your chances of unwanted side effects. Sleep medications are only one part of an overall treatment plan for insomnia. Because they can be addictive and they often come with side effects, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend using other techniques before turning to pharmaceutical sleep aids.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia CBT-I is the preferred first line of treatment. Your health provider can help you work through stress, anxiety, or other emotions that may be affecting your sleep.
They can also teach you sleep hygiene habits that can lead to long-lasting benefits for sleep. That said, for some people, a short-term course of pharmaceutical sleep aids may help in developing these healthy behaviors and learning to manage insomnia.
Many sleep problems are actually due to an undiagnosed sleep disorder or medical condition. Conducting a sleep study or other tests can shed light on these problems, which may need to be treated along with the insomnia itself. You should always talk to your doctor before starting a new kind of medication. Even over-the-counter sleep aids and herbal supplements carry potential risks. A thorough discussion with a healthcare professional can help you decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
There are many types of sleep aids. Before prescribing a specific sleeping pill, your doctor will take note of existing mental or physical health concerns and ensure that the sleep aid will not interact with any medications, recreational drugs, or herbal remedies you are currently taking. You should also confirm that you are not allergic to any ingredients in the sleep aid. Different sleep aids may help you fall asleep faster, reduce nighttime awakenings, or sleep for longer.
Your doctor will choose a short-acting or long-acting sleep aid based on what is more appropriate for your situation. Experts recommend taking the lowest dose possible to reduce potential side effects.
If you have a sleep disorder that can be treated with a specific type of sleep aid, your doctor will also take this into account. Avoid starting treatment right before an important event, in case the medication causes unexpected side effects.
Most sleep aids are designed to be effective during four or eight hours. Taking a pill when you need to wake up before this time may cause next-day grogginess. For people who have trouble falling asleep but sleep soundly once they are asleep, it may be more appropriate to use a shorter-acting sleep aid. Experts advise against taking sleeping pills before driving or doing other activities that require your full attention.
This also applies to cases where you might need to wake up during the night, such as if you are caring for a dependent person. Sleep aids should be taken right before bedtime, as taking them too early in the evening may interfere with evening activities.
Keep in mind that some sleeping pills will take longer to kick in if taken with food. Some sleep medications can cause rebound insomnia if they are stopped too suddenly. If you notice side effects or if you have any other concerns, talk to your doctor as soon as possible so they can help you safely stop the medication. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Get the facts. Your options Take sleeping pills for a short time, along with making lifestyle changes. Treat your sleep problems with only lifestyle changes. Key points to remember Sleeping pills work best and are safest if you use them for a short time along with lifestyle changes.
Research shows that lifestyle and behavior changes are the best long-term choice to help you sleep well. Sleeping pills may have side effects, such as daytime drowsiness and nausea. A sleep medicine may not work as well when your body gets used to it. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the medicines.
What is insomnia? How well do sleeping pills work? What lifestyle and behavior changes can you make to sleep better? There are several things you can try, including: Changes in how you sleep. There are simple changes you can make that may help you sleep better. These include changing where or when you sleep, being careful about what and when you eat and drink, and being more active.
It's also important to keep regular bedtimes and wake times—7 days a week—and to try to avoid taking naps during the day. Relaxation exercises. They can help slow your racing mind. Learning how to relax your muscles, such as through progressive muscle relaxation or meditation, is one way to relax your body. Breathing deeply is another way.
Healthy thinking with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Healthy thinking, or balanced thinking, is a way to help you stay well or cope with a health problem by changing how you think. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that can help you understand why you have sleep problems. And it can show you how to deal with them. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps reduce interrupted sleep over time. What are the risks of taking sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills may: Have side effects , such as making you feel anxious or sick to your stomach nauseated. You also may feel sleepy or drowsy during the day.
Not work as well over time. After a while, they may not help you sleep the way they used to. Become habit-forming. You may come to rely on them so much that you can't sleep without them. Cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. Why might your doctor recommend that you take sleeping pills? Your doctor may recommend sleeping pills if: You need help right away for a sleep problem that is causing problems in your life. You have tried lifestyle changes and you still have trouble sleeping.
You plan to take them for only a few weeks. You plan to try lifestyle changes along with taking sleeping pills. Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Take sleeping pills Don't take sleeping pills.
Compare Option 2 Take sleeping pills Don't take sleeping pills. Take sleeping pills Take sleeping pills You take a sleeping pill every night or a few times a week as your doctor prescribes.
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