Introduction
Sleeping is a necessity, not only because it renews energy to makes us physically fit. It has also the benefit of resting the mind making us focused on tasks and everyday chores. However, for a lot of people this habit is not the easiest to achieve. Sleep deprivation occurs making us less alert, cranky, and inattentive. Mood swings, anxiety, and other emotional distress are common due to the inability to sleep. One of the forms of treating sleeping problems is the use of sleep aids.
History
Sleep aids are used when a person is unable to fall asleep or cannot sleep without interruptions. The causes of the failure to sleep are many. It can arise from psychological, emotional, and physical factors such as a having stressful job, unstable relationships, or too much excitement or physical stimuli. If the source of sleeping disorders is located, sleeping aids may be prescribed by the doctor. Patients who are recovering from surgery may also be given sleep aids in addition to narcotics that give relief from pain.
Features
There are advantages to using sleep aids that go beyond invigorating the patient or the person:
- Getting adequate sleep
The primary benefit of taking sleep aids is to get adequate rest or sleep to survive. Why people need sleep remains an enigma, but it is clear that people need varying amounts of sleep to survive. Some may only need a few hours of sleep but most adults need from 4 to 10 hours of sleep each day.
- Break symptoms of sleep disorders.
There are many sleeping disorders among people including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Each of these disorders prevents the person from getting a full night’s rest. Waking up halfway through sleep is one of the factors that prevent falling asleep whether it’s to go the toilet or because one is a light sleeper.
- Serve as a surgery anesthesia
Using sleep aids during surgery prevents the patient from feeling the pain of the medical procedure being he/she is unconscious.
- Some sleep aids promote good sleep
Not only does a person get the necessary amount of sleep that he/she needs, sleep aids also promote good sleep. Sleep aids vary in type, strength and targeted response. Benzodiazepines for instance are the most common sleep aids. However, the effects of the drug stay in the body longer and users who cannot eliminate the drug experience side effects during the day such as drowsiness. A shorter-acting group of drugs are zopiclone and zolpidem. Those suffering from insomnia can benefit from taking these sleep aids without changing natural sleeping patterns.
- Relieve stress and anxiety
Sedatives and tranquilizers are other forms of sleep aids that are given to patients to reduce stress and anxiety by relaxing the muscles and eventually induce sleep.
Tips and comments
Sleep aids should be used sparingly. They are prescription drugs because the potential for abusing them is there. Dependence on sleep aids is one consequence. However, depending on sleep aids for stress relief or sleep will eventually lead to a tolerance of the medication, losing their effectiveness.
Try alternative treatments to sleep aids such as changing lifestyles, eating and sleeping regularly, exercise, avoiding stimulating activities before sleeping, and creating a conducive sleep environment (blocking out light, putting on soft music, reading a book, and relaxation techniques).
