How To Get A Sleep Aid Prescription
60Millions of people all over America suffer from various forms of insomnia. There are several fairly obvious reasons for this. One of the main causes of mild insomnia is an inconsistent sleeping schedule. Take a moment and think about the average American's schedule. If yours is anything like mine, chances are it's quite hectic. It also lacks consistency. I might be working late one night and getting up early some days. By the time the weekend rolls around, I'm just plain exhausted! I'll often sleep for up to 10 hours or so on a Friday night. This type of schedule really does throw your body clock for a bit of a loop. Stress is another common cause of insomnia - and we all know how much of that there is in the world today.
So what are your options for dealing with these insomnia sleep disorders? Well, you have quite a few. Getting a sleep aid prescription should really be a last resort though. There are quite a few less risky ways to improve the rest you get each and every night. As you read through the following article, please bear in mind that I am not a health care professional. This piece is really for information only and should not be taken verbatim. I encourage everyone to do a lot of research before proceeding with any of my suggestions. There are many web pages on the Internet filled with valuable information on sleeping and insomnia. Do yourself a favor and check some of them out. If you have any questions, make sure you contact your doctor.
Things To Consider Before Getting A Sleep Aid Prescription
The way I see it, there are essentially three different ways of dealing with insomnia sleep disorders. I believe that medicine should be used as a last resort. If nothing else works, consider a prescription. So what are some popular natural cures for insomnia?
Well, the first thing you should do is look into your sleep hygiene. How are your sleeping habits? Bad habits can lead to insomnia you see. And how is your sleeping environment? A room that isn't properly set up for rest can definitely encourage restless sleeps. One of the most important parts of good sleep hygiene is your sleeping pattern. If you wake up and go to bed at different times everyday, you're really doing yourself a great disservice. Make a real effort to set your alarm clock for the same time everyday. You also have to get up when it rings! I have a pretty bad habit of hitting the snooze button seven times before I actually wake up. This is teaching your body some pretty bad habits. You should also try and go to bed at the same time everyday. This is tougher but can definitely be done. After a while, your body will settle into a routine. It will instinctively know when to get up and when to go to sleep. Another aspect of good sleep hygiene has to do with your diet. It's well documented that stimulants like caffeine are directly responsible for a lot of people's insomnia. You don't have to cut coffee right out of your life, but to try limit your intake. You should definitely avoid any kind of stimulant in the late afternoon or early evening. Try to eat your last meal at least a couple of hours before you got to bed as well. This will ensure that your body isn't busy digesting food when you want it to relax. How you spend the last two waking hours of your day is actually really important. Don't do something too exiting. Exercise, unless it's Yoga or Pilate's, is out of the question. You need to do something relaxing. Trying watch a bit of TV (nothing too serious though) or reading a book. This should help your mind and body relax.
The next thing to do before seeking a sleep aid prescription is to try an over the counter sleeping pill. These products are basically antihistamines with a bit of sedative added. They go by names like Sleepinal and are available at most drug stores. Keep in mind that these products aren't meant for serious or chronic insomnia. If you're suffering from jet lag or recovering from a night shift, these may work for you. Most people find that if they are used for more than 3 consecutive days, the effect wears off. This is due to the fact that both men and women develop a tolerance to OTC sleep aids quite quickly. Be aware of a few common side effects as well - Most notably dry throat and constipation.
If the above two methods don't work for you, it's time to see your doctor. Tell him what you've tried so far and chances are he'll give you a sleep aid prescription. Common brand names you'd recognize include Lunesta and Sonata. These drugs for insomnia are all sedative hypnotics. They have the potential to be quite dangerous so be sure to follow your doctor's orders. Sweet dreams!
