[Repost] Do I need to take sleeping pills if I can't sleep?
By Su Shu-hsun, Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital
Sleep is an innate human instinct, and we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Therefore, the quality of sleep is closely related to our physical, mental, and emotional health. A Danish sleep survey shows that the disruption to work and life caused by poor sleep may cost Europe billions of dollars annually. Statistics show that people with poor sleep quality are three to ten times more likely to be involved in traffic accidents than those with normal sleep quality. Drowsy drivers and drunk drivers have also become serious road safety problems.
Do I need to take sleeping pills if I can't sleep?First, you should find out the cause of your insomnia. If your doctor determines that you need to take medication, you should follow your doctor's instructions.Short-acting sleeping pills can quickly induce sleep and shorten the time to fall asleep, making them suitable for people who have difficulty falling asleep or have metabolic disorders; medium-acting sleeping pills can prolong sleep time, making them suitable for people whose sleep is easily interrupted or who wake up early at night; long-acting sleeping pills can maintain sufficient sleep time, making them suitable for people who wake up early during the day, have severe insomnia symptoms, or have insomnia combined with daytime anxiety, but they may leave a lingering drowsiness the next day.
Sleeping pills are generally taken before bedtime. After taking short-acting sleeping pills, you should go to bed immediately and avoid going up or down stairs or going outside to prevent falls or other dangers when the medication takes effect. You should also avoid driving or operating machinery for eight hours after taking the medication.
Sleeping pills are generally classified as controlled substances. Long-term use of some sleeping pills can lead to tolerance and dependence. Addiction is a persistent concern for insomniacs, who often experience a fear of becoming addicted, worrying that the more they take sleeping pills, the stronger their condition will become, and that they won't be able to sleep without them. They may even start worrying from the morning about whether they will be able to sleep at night, further exacerbating their anxiety. However, most scientific research shows that…When used correctly in a medical setting, sleeping pills are generally safe and effective, and addiction or dependence are not common.
Will taking sleeping pills impair memory? Some sleeping pills can damage episodic memory and memory consolidation. On the other hand, insomnia itself can also impair memory consolidation and learning efficiency. Coupled with age-related memory decline, the two effects are complex and require discussion with a professional physician or selection of other types of sleep aids.
Another question is whether drinking alcohol before bed can help you sleep? Alcohol can help you sleep more soundly in the first half of the night, but it can interfere with your sleep in the second half. Alcohol reduces the duration, efficiency, and quality of sleep, so drinking alcohol before bed does not help you sleep.
People who have trouble sleeping should identify the causes of their insomnia and use appropriate exercise and relaxation as supplementary methods to solve the problem.It is not recommended to rely solely on medication to improve insomnia; adjustments must be made based on the individual's circumstances.More than 50% of patients with chronic insomnia have other underlying problems and need to seek help from a specialist. By patiently cooperating with the doctor's treatment, they can not only solve the problem of insomnia, but also discover other underlying diseases and deal with psychological or physiological issues.
Under normal circumstances,Sleeping pills should only be used as a temporary aid to sleep, and should be used for short periods, intermittently, or as needed. Prolonged use is not recommended to avoid dependence and tolerance. Developing good personal lifestyle habits and sleep hygiene, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, is the best way to solve insomnia.