Sleeping Pills: Risks and Side Effects

Sleep is one of the most critical aspects of our daily life. A good sleeping habit is vital to one's overall health. 

However, many people have insomnia and other sleep-related disorders and take sleeping pills to treat these disorders and sleep better.

An adult is recommended to have at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night, with some hours of daytime nap, but many people fall short of this requirement.

You can put several measures in place to improve your sleep, including having a better choice of mattress. Mattress reviews Australia provides unbiased feedback to help you make an informed choice.

Other measures to improve sleep include avoiding alcohol and smoking cigarettes, reducing caffeinated beverages, and exercising regularly. 

Unless medically advised, these measures should be explored before delving into any prescription drugs for sleeping.

Sleeping disorders

Sleeping disorders are conditions that alter your normal sleeping patterns preventing you from having a sound sleep. They can manifest in ways that reduce your ability to perform your daily activities. 

Sleep loss can cause irritation and restlessness during the day and contribute to longer-term health issues like obesity and heart problems. Examples of sleeping disorders are insomnia, sleepwalking, sleep apnea, etc.

Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills are a class of drugs that can be used to put an individual in a state of relaxation. They are mainly used to induce drowsiness and sleep. They are referred to by many names, including; sedatives, hypnotics, soporific drugs, tranquilisers, sleeping aids, etc.

Types of sleeping pills

Some common sleeping pills include Benzodiazepines like diazepam, Z-Drugs, e.g. Zaleplon, and some Anti-Depressants. These are prescription drugs used in the treatment of insomnia.

Some other milder drugs, such as antihistamines, can be purchased over the counter and may also induce sleepiness and drowsiness.

There are also newer sleeping pills now that interfere with the sleep-wake cycle controlled by the brain to induce sleep. An example of this type of sleeping pill is Ramelteon.

How do sleeping pills work?

Most sleeping pills work by interacting with the nervous system.

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts in the brain to reduce the excitability of neurons. Consequently, they can work to inhibit alertness and thus induce drowsiness.

Some sleeping pills act as GABA agonists; they activate these GABA receptors in the brain and cause sleepiness.

Newer drugs like Ramelteon act by activating melatonin receptors in the brain. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the body and found to regulate the sleep and wake cycle.

However, these pills are not without risks and side effects that one needs to be aware of before using.

Risks of taking sleeping pills

Dependence:

Long-term usage of sleeping pills may result in total or partial reliance on the medications for sleeping. In this case, the person cannot sleep anymore except with the help of drugs.

Addiction:

Some sleeping pills, especially prescription ones, can be addictive and negatively affect a person's lifestyle, mood and behavior.

Withdrawal symptoms:

If one suddenly stops taking their medication after a long time, it can manifest as nausea, vomiting, severe sweating, and shivering.

Tolerance:

The body, over time, can develop tolerance to the drugs. It means it will require a higher dosage than usual for the drug to have the desired effect.

Side effects:

Like most drugs, sleeping pills may have side effects, including extreme allergic reactions, puffiness of the face, and in some cases, hallucinations. 

It may also cause sleep-related behavioral changes and even memory loss. One should contact a doctor or a medical professional immediately If they experience any of these side effects upon taking sleeping pills.

Safe tips for using sleeping pills

Taking note of the other medications or supplements you may be on is vital before commencing on a sleeping pill. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist to know of any possible drug interactions.

Avoid taking sleeping medications alongside alcohol. It potentiates the effects of sedatives, and this can be dangerous.

It is also safer to use these pills only when you have the time to go and sleep, not when you have work or school or you will be exhausted and unproductive all day.

Another safety precaution is the dosage you take. It is recommended to always commence with the lowest recommended dose so that you can observe how you react to the medication and note if there are any adverse reactions.

It is also safer not to take a double dose. This may build up the concentration of the drug in your system, and it thus takes a long time for the effects to wear off.

Conclusion

Many other alternatives are generally safer, come without the risks of side effects, and can help improve your sleeping habits and tackle sleeping disorders. 

You could make extensive home renovations to make your abode more conducive for a restful sleep.

However, if you must use pills, be aware of their possible adverse effects and ensure a medical practitioner prescribes them.

This is general information. Always obtain advice from a registered medical practitioner prior to making health decision.