Cracking...The Sleep Code

• Home
• Insomnia
• Snoring

How do Sleeping Aids Work?

Sleepless or restless nights, we have all had them. When they are frequent though, we begin to worry and despair over our lack of sleep and how we can fix the problem. Sleeping pills are worrisome to many and have a bad persona about them. So we shy away from them and their tendency to be addictive.

It is important to realize though, that whether we decide on sleeping aids or sleeping pills prescribed by a physician, both are only recommended for use over a two to three week period, not indefinitely. After the allotted time has gone by, it is important to look at the possible causes for the sleep difficulties.

Sleeping aids different from sleeping pills in both how they work and where you can get them. Sleeping aids can be found at pharmacies, grocery or department stores - they are the over-the-counter medications used for help in a getting a restful sleep. Sleeping pills are the prescription medications that a physician can prescribe to you and will need to be filled at a pharmacy.

Sleeping aids work by making use of an antihistamine as their active ingredient. You may be wondering why an anti-allergy ingredient is in a sleeping aid. The reason for this would be that antihistamine works against the chemical histamine which in the body also promotes wakefulness. So counteracting the histamine in the body helps our bodies to be on the sleepy side. Occasionally, a pain reliever is also included in the active ingredients of the OTC medication.

If pain is a source of complaint during the night, this may help too for a restful slumber. As mentioned above, the intended length of usage is not intended for long periods. In fact, with OTC medications, the effectiveness often wears off after a few days since the intended use is for occasional sleeping problems, not with chronic problems. It should be mentioned that OTC medications often carry next day side effects that make the product not worth taking in the beginning.

A common side effect is a feeling of grogginess or drowsiness through the next morning or day. Other side effects may include one or more of the following: dizziness, constipation, clumsiness, urinary retention, forgetfulness or a dry mouth and throat. Sleep aids are often used when travelling, but if these side effects occur it may make the travel period an uncomfortable one.

The elderly seem to have a slightly increased problem with OTC medications and include a higher tendency to fall during the night time, causing more problems in effect. The dosing for an older adult may need to start out smaller and work up to a recommended dosage.

With any change to the body, especially where medications and supplements to the body are concerned, a person's physician should be notified both for the safety of the individual and for knowledgeable information and suggestions for solving sleep-related problems. Making a decision with your physician is a highly recommended piece of advice for anyone with an insomnia problem even when taking an OTC medication.