Hi all,

It is Barnaby here. I’ve previously discussed why I can’t use common sleep aids, but I went against my own rules out of desperation for some sleep the other night. Once again, the sleep aid I used caused me to be quite out of it the following day — even more so than I usually am after tossing and turning all night. For those of you using either prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids, I’d like to enumerate the potential hazards from these drugs. Although many can use common sleep aids without any adverse effects, some (including myself) can experience one or several of the following events:

– Increasing drug tolerance forcing you to continually step up your dosage
– Possible withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation of use
– Some sleep aids can result in dependency
– Some experience “rebound insomnia” after discontinuing sleep aid use
– Sleep aids can have unforeseen interactions with other drugs you may be taking
– Side effects can be present with many common over the counter sleep aids

When used for occasional insomnia, sleep aids can be quite helpful and are generally safe. However, those who use sleep aids for extended periods are often just masking the underlying condition which is causing the insomnia. Failure to recognize some possible causes — including sleep apnea — can lead to even more severe adverse health conditions. If you find yourself continually using sleep aids, then it is advised you seek the opinion of a qualified health care provider in order to ascertain whether sleep aid use can be safely continued. Unfortunately, my insomnia is unable to be solved with simple sleep aids — but hopefully I find my magic sleep bullet soon.

Good Night (said hopefully…),

Barnaby

The vast majority of us experience at least occasional insomnia — rare is the individual who can quickly and easily fall asleep every night. Everyday stresses, big upcoming events or excess caffeine can all be insomnia causes, and periodic bouts of it can be easily treated with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter sleeping pills. However, some suffer chronic insomnia which can prove to be a serious impediment to leading an active life. Chronic insomnia causes can be biological, psychological or environmental. Identifying the insomnia causes behind your sleepless nights is the most important first step allowing for selection of the correct treatment regimen.

Within the psychological realm of insomnia causes are anxiety, stress and depression. Those who suffer from depression often have chronic insomnia as a symptom which creates a vicious circle of the lack of sleep further exacerbating the depression. Psychological conditions which contribute to insomnia can often be treated by therapy or pharmaceuticals. Biological insomnia causes can include underlying conditions and diseases which prevent a full nights sleep. Sleep apnea is a prominent biological insomnia cause, and this condition can be treated with a variety of techniques.

Environmental insomnia causes can be as simple as an uncomfortable bed or pillow, or sleeping conditions which are noisy or not sufficiently dark. Addressing these environmental insomnia causes is often quite easy, and simple behavior changes can do the trick. Some behaviors like excessive caffeine consumption can contribute to biological insomnia causes, and this also can be addressed by changing the offending behavior. Although insomnia has many causes, the net result for all sufferers include daytime drowsiness, inability to concentrate and poor school or work performance. Consequently, identifying the insomnia causes behind your particular case is critical in order to prevent these often debilitating effects of insomnia.

Millions of Americans have occasional — if not chronic — problems when it comes to getting a full night’s sleep. Most commonly, those suffering from insomnia select from a variety of OTC (over the counter medications dispensed without a prescription) sleep aids. Which are the best sleep aids, and how does one ensure they are taken safely? Although much remains unknown about their efficacy and associated potential long term side effects, certain facts have been ascertained in relation to many of the most popular OTC pharmaceutical sleep aids.

Diphenhydramine is a very common component within many OTC sleep aids, and it is the active ingredient within brand names including Benadryl, Tylenol PM and Sominex. Those who use drugs containing Diphenhydramine can expect to experience side effects including, but not limited to, dizziness, extended drowsiness often lasting after the subsequent morning, memory problems and a dry mouth. Sleep aids containing Diphenhydramine should be avoided by those with cardiovascular issues, an enlarged prostate or glaucoma. Additionally, Diphenhydramine is not among the best sleep aids for pregnant or breast-feeding women.

OTC sleep aids utilizing the active ingredient Doxylamine are also currently a popular choice for those experiencing occasional insomnia. The most salient brand name using Doxylamine is Unisom, and potential side effects associated with this OTC sleep aid include prolonged drowsiness, dry mouth and light-headedness. Unisom and other OTC sleep aids containing Doxylamine should not be used by those with glaucoma, bronchitis, peptic ulcers or asthma. It is strongly advised that those taking any OTC sleep aid refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects have completely worn off.

Some of the best sleep aids contain natural supplements as opposed to chemically-based pharmaceuticals. The most common supplement used to combat insomnia is melatonin. Some swear by melatonin’s effectiveness, whereas others claim that it is far from being among the best sleep aids currently available. Much of the debate centers around potential side effects of melatonin which includes the reports of irrational behavior, depression, confusion and anxiety. However, some melatonin users do not report any of these adverse effects.

Whichever OTC sleep aid you select, it is important to closely follow the instructions printed on the bottle. Those with serious pre-existing medical conditions should only use OTC sleep aids under the supervision of their primary care physician. When used properly, OTC pills for insomnia can prove to be among the best sleep aids available.

Everyone has occasional bouts of sleeplessness. However, seeing you are reading this, the odds are high that you have a more chronic form of insomnia — and have a great desire for insomnia tips and advice towards helping you start getting a full night’s sleep. The best insomnia tips are often the most simple. Think about what you eat and drink within the 2 hours prior to going to bed. Do these foods and drinks contain caffeine? If so, you should cut them out. Some people find it difficult sleeping after consuming large amounts of sugar, so an easy pointer among all the insomnia tips is to cut out those sweets for at least 120 minutes prior to bed-time.

Many good insomnia tips relate to your sleep environment. Some people can sleep through a train roaring through their bedroom, while others of us are awakening by the slightest noise, movement or ray of light. Ensure that your sleep space is as dark, quiet and temperate as you can make it. A good tip could also be to try another pillow, or rearrange the direction of your bed. Small adjustments like these have been known to work wonders.

In some cases, applicable insomnia tips entail a more serious response. Sleep apnea is a major cause of insomnia, and if this is the reason for your sleepnessness, then you must address it immediately. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health effects including high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues. Depression has also been tied to insomnia. Today, clinical depression can be effectively treated, and addressing it surely will improve many aspects of your life including sleep.

One of the best insomnia tips is to be very careful when using OTC or prescription sleeping pills. These sleep aids are great for occasional insomnia, but when used regularly they can be addictive and serve to only exacerbate the existing problem. Run down the list of possible causes of insomnia and see which apply to you. Once you know the source of your insomnia, then you’ll be able to focus on the best insomnia tips for your individual circumstance.