Prescription Sleep Aids
Another term for prescription sleep aids is sedative hypnotics. This term accurately describes the intensity of prescription sleep aids including the hypnotic effect they have on mental function.
Most prescription sleep aids contain benzodiazepines. These work by boosting a neurotransmitter called GABA which slows down the central nervous system. These work better than the over the counter sleep aids in terms of less morning drowsiness due to the fact that benzodiazepines leave the body faster than antihistamines. It is the antihistamines that cause the drowsiness. However, benzodiazepines are also more habit-forming than other sedative hypnotics.
Ambien, Lunesta and Xanax are among the most common prescription sleep aids. But before you ask your doctor for a script, consider the warnings listed below and decide whether your particular insomnia requires the risks involved with prescription sleep aids. Research other options and discuss these with your doctor before jumping into the many complications involved with prescription sleep aids.
While insomnia is a terrible condition to suffer and it often sends us in the domino effect of many more, often severe, problems, you should be aware of how prescription sleep aids work and be warned of the cons to using them before you go out and fill a prescription.
The following seven concerns should be foremost in your mind before you decide to rely on prescription sleep aids.
· Side effects: Common side effects of prescription sleep aids include, but are not limited to, the following: forgetfulness, confusion, drowsiness the next day and dry mouth. Ironically, these are some of the very same problems you face from a lack of sleep!
· Drug dependence: Prescription sleep aids are addictive; some more so than others. Dependence on the drug results in loosing self control, self reliance, self confidence and an overall loss of your quality of life.
· Withdrawal symptoms: Nausea, sweating, shaking, headaches and anxiety attacks are among the withdrawal symptoms you will suffer if you should ever decide to stop taking your prescription sleep meds. Because these symptoms are so terrible, many people become ruled by the medication out of a fear of these withdrawal symptoms.
· Drug tolerance: The human body tends to build up a tolerance to the compounds in prescription sleep aids. Therefore, after only a few nights, you will need to increase your dosage. This will no doubt result in more side effects and more severe reactions. It will also result in more dependency on the drug making withdrawal symptoms also worse.
· Rebound insomnia: This is the term used to describe the next level of insomnia once you take the medication and then try to stop. This is much worse than the original insomnia.
· Masking an underlying problem: Insomnia is often the result of a mental, psychological or physical disorder that, if left untreated, can worsen. By taking prescription sleep aids, you delay the discovery of the real problem.
As a general rule of thumb, consider prescription sleep aids as a temporary aid, never as a long term solution.