Complications (1)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Risk factors (2)
- Depression (major depression)
- Stress symptoms: Effects on your body, feelings and behavior
Treatments and drugs (3)
- Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?
- Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills
- OTC sleep aids and supplements: What's best and safe?
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continued:
Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?
Taking sleeping pills
If your best attempts to get a good night's sleep have failed, prescription sleeping pills may be an option. Use them safely.
- Get a medical evaluation. Before you take sleeping pills, get a thorough medical evaluation of your problem. Often your doctor may be able to identify specific causes for your insomnia. Nondrug approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective. Sleeping on a regular schedule, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine and daytime naps, and keeping stress in check are helpful foundations to an effective treatment.
- Never take a sleeping pill until you're going to bed. Taking a sleeping pill and then trying to complete other activities may lead to dangerous situations in which you're not aware of what you're doing.
- Avoid alcohol. Never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. Alcohol increases the sedative effects of the pills. Even a small amount of alcohol combined with sleeping pills can make you feel dizzy, confused or faint. Alcohol alone can cause insomnia.
- Quit carefully. When you're ready to stop taking sleeping pills, follow your doctor's instructions or the directions on the label. Some medications must be stopped gradually.
- Watch for side effects. If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or discontinuing the pills.
Everyone deserves a good night's sleep. If you continue to have trouble sleeping, consult your doctor for help.
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