Are Sleeping Pills Bad for You?
Nearly one-third of Americans have trouble catching their Zs, according to Johns Hopkins University. Many people are turning to sleep aids for help, as the use of prescription sleep aids alone more than doubled in the mid-2000s. There is a reason, however, why so many institutions such as Johns Hopkins prescribe behavioral therapy as opposed to a solution that comes in a bottle, as sleeping pills have been known to create more than just a night of rest.
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Side effects
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There are a host of side effects that may be experienced the morning after you take that sleeping pill, according to the Mayo Clinic. These effects include grogginess, weakness and confusion. The use of sleeping pills has also been implicated in memory problems.
Bizarre
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Over-the-counter drugs have often been blamed for that "hangover" effect experienced the day following the use of the pills, while the newer, prescription drugs have received a lot of attention due to bizarre incidents of sleep eating and sleep driving, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Long Term
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Though the newer classes of drugs, such as Lunesta and Ambien, have been found to produce fewer side effects than older sleeping pills, there is some concern over the long-term safety of these products, according to Cleveland Clinic. Because these drugs are so new, the organization contends that the long-term effects of these drugs have yet to be studied.
Dependence
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Sleeping pills have come under fire due to users becoming hooked on them. According to the Mayo Clinic, they are habit forming, so the longer you take the pills, the more you'll have to take to produce the desired effect of sleep. A condition called "rebound insomnia" may also occur, whereby sleeplessness may strike again with a vengeance; it may be much more difficult for you to fall asleep than the first time you had problems sleeping.
Conditions
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Johns Hopkins reports that insomnia can be a sign of a number of other, sometimes serious, underlying medical conditions. These conditions include diabetes, depression and sleep apnea, whereby a person has problems breathing when he is at rest. When a person with these conditions turns to sleeping pills, he isn't solving the underlying problem and in turn isn't getting the care that he needs.
Abuse
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Johns Hopkins also indicates that there is a risk for sleeping pills to be abused. It contends that when used properly, the pills can help people. But these pills may be mixed with medications or alcohol, which can be a lethal combination. Many people also go on to use these pills for chronic sleeplessness, when it's recommended that most products only be used for days.
Alternatives
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Leading institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins advocate the use of behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills. They contend that poor sleep hygiene is to blame. Having good sleep hygiene means eliminating stimulants like caffeine before bedtime or making sure that the room you sleep in is completely dark and free of other stimulating objects, like television and computers. The Mayo Clinic suggests that people first change the way that they think about how they sleep and realize that not everyone needs to have 8 hours of sleep a night. From there, the person who is struggling to sleep can then act and alter his behavior by practicing relaxation techniques or watching what he eats or drinks in the evening.
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