Types of Sleep Medicine

Millions of Americans suffer from insomnia, causing a desire to use sleep medications. While suffering from insomnia can cause a multitude of problems, such as depression and irritability, sleep medications may hinder more than help. There are various types of sleep medications available, but you must first be aware of their effectiveness and side effects before choosing to take them.

Significance

The most important fact about insomnia is that it is not curable. It can only be treated, and when one becomes desperate enough for a good night's rest, she will often buy one of the many over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, she may ask her doctor for a prescription sleep aid. Some are great for helping you fall asleep, but not so great at helping you maintain it. There are also some medications that have more serious side effects than others. Before making your decision, it is important to educate yourself.

Function

Sleep medications work by depressing the central nervous system, making its ability to function almost impossible. When the function of the central nervous system is shut down, feelings of tranquility and relaxation will generally occur, allowing the person to fall asleep and stay asleep. Sleep sedatives, as they are also referred to, are most commonly prescribed for patients who suffer from anxiety, though they may also be prescribed for those who have certain health conditions, such as epilepsy. Some neurologists feel that if the epileptic can experience a deeper sleep at night, the fatigue that may be a cause of his seizures could decrease, resulting in fewer epileptic episodes.

Types

There are two main types of sleep medications: prescription and nonprescription. Nonprescription sleep medications, such as Nytol and Unisom, contain an antihistamine. While histamine is a messenger in the brain that assists people in staying awake, an antihistamine will combat that. Over-the-counter sleep medications also contain a pain reliever that may help those whose insomnia is caused by chronic pain.
Prescription sleep medications are broken down into two categories: benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics, or BSH, and non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics, or NBSH. The BSH type is the oldest sleep sedative still in circulation today. It was initially used to treat patients with anxiety disorders, but was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat insomnia. Examples of BSH include ProSom and Restoril. NBSH sleep sedatives vary in chemical structure from the BSH sedatives, yet function in the same area of the brain. Examples of NBSH sedatives are Lunesta and Ambien. Both BSH and NBSH sedatives are considered to be controlled substances.

Expert Insight

While many patients who take over-the-counter sleep medications claim to experience an improvement in their sleep patterns, the American Academy of Sleep Medications issued a statement saying that while they may have a mild, short-term effect, there is not enough clinical evidence to support that over-the-counter sleep aids are an effective treatment for insomnia.

Considerations

If you choose to use sleep medications, be sure you can receive at least 7 hours of sleep to avoid experiencing drowsiness throughout the following day. You will also want to avoid driving, as some users "sleep drive," meaning their eyes are open yet they are not awake. In addition, there may be an underlying medical cause for your insomnia. There are many sleep disorder clinics nationwide that can help determine the cause of your insomnia, resulting in an alternative treatment that may be safer for you.

Warning

The side effects of sleep medications will vary depending on the drug used, its dose and the length of time you have been using them. Over-the-counter and prescription medications all pose the threat of dependency, which could result in withdrawal symptoms if stopped too quickly. You also want to inform your doctor of any health conditions you may have, such as depression and liver problems, as sleep medications may make them worse. Some of the side effects to watch for when taking sleep medications are blurred vision, dizziness, a feeling of being hung over and forgetfulness. More serious side effects include headaches, constipation and an inability to concentrate. If you experience any of these symptoms, you will want to contact your doctor so that she can either adjust or change the sleep medication you are taking.

Resources

• Site to help locate sleep disorder centers