Most people use sleeping pills as a drug to relieve stress and anxiety, muscle tension, and insomnia. A sleeping pill is a prescription medication that helps a person fall asleep or at least remain asleep. There are two categories of sleeping aids sold in the U.S today: prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills. The prescription sleeping pills contains an active ingredient called Benzodiazepines and diazepam. Over-the-counter-sleeping pills can be bought without prescription and it contains antihistamines.
Sleeping pills have been around for centuries. The earliest form of sleeping aids were the herbal potions and the opiate laudanum. Barbiturates were later introduced in the early 1900's and this type of drug actually had 25,000 known compounds. However, barbiturates were eventually regulated due to its very addictive effects. Other sleeping pills being marketed today are known as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and nerve pills. These medications are often used for relief of depression, anxiety or those who have difficulties in sleeping. Difficulty in sleeping is caused by stress factors in life like the loss of a job, early retirement, the loss of loved ones, and financial problems.
Listed below are some of the known side-effects of sleeping pills:
drowsiness
lack of concentration
confusion
irritability
anxious
headache
nausea
constipation
blurred vision
dry mouth and throat
Other concerns related to the use of both over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills also include:
drug dependence
drug tolerance
interactions with other drugs
rebound insomnia
withdrawal symptoms
Even if there have been advances in terms of the manufacturing of sleeping pills, misuse can still lead to cases of sleeping pill overdose.
There are actually alternatives to the use of sleeping pills and tranquillizers. If you think that taking sleeping pills is not for you, these healthy and non-drug alternatives might just help you deal with your sleeping problems:
Drink warm milk
Take a hot water bath before you go to bed
Make your bed more comfortable
Avoid coffee, soft drinks and tea after 5 pm
Don't drink alcohol in the evening---it can keep you awake
However, if you really must use prescription sleeping pills, please make sure to follow these safety guidelines:
1.Do not take the sleeping pills when you are stressed out or have certain anxieties. Don't use it as an instant cure for your depression, loneliness, and other emotional problems.
2.Know your medication, how often you should take it , how long and if its safe to use it even if one is taking alcohol.
3.Do not keep on taking the medication if you find it that is not suitable for you.
4.Check with your doctor when you stop taking sleeping pills or tranquillizers.
5.Never share nor borrow medication.
The main purpose of taking sleeping aids or medications that induce sleep is to provide you some temporary relief from insomnia. It is not the long-term solution to sleeping problems. The resolution of your anxieties and other problems is the best sleep inducer you can take.