Rx for sleep:
What to know
Prescription sleep medicines
are the most popular treatment
for chronic or ongoing insomnia.
They can include:
Hypnotics.
Each one has
a different chemical structure,
but common hypnotics work on
the sleep-promoting parts of the
brain. Those that wear off quickly
may be best for people who
need to be fully refreshed in the
morning.
In general, hypnotics are
well-tolerated and very effective,
according to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration. However,
they can cause odd side effects.
Some people report eating, driv-
ing or making phone calls—all
while not fully awake.
Antidepressants.
Some have
sedating properties and may
be prescribed in low doses to
promote sleep.
Anti-anxiety drugs.
These
are prescribed if insomnia is
related to anxiety.
A careful medical evaluation
can help pinpoint the causes of
insomnia. You and your doctor
can decide which, if any, sleep
medicine might be best. Lots of
factors need to be considered,
including your health, lifestyle
and employment.
If you decide to take a sleep
medicine, experts recommend
that you begin with the lowest
dose needed to be effective. You
should discuss with your doctor
how long to take the drug and
whether to take it every night.
HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING?
Maybe
it’s time for a wake-up call: You shouldn’t
toss and turn and hope for the best rest.
A good night’s sleep is essential for good
health, as many studies have shown. It’s not
just the amount of sleep that’s important
either—quality counts too. Without both,
people face a higher risk of heart disease,
kidney disease, high blood pressure,
stroke, obesity and depression.
Fatigue affects work, relationships, and
the ability to learn and remember. It is
such a widespread problem in our sleep-
deprived world that the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention has dubbed lack of
sufficient slumber a public health epidemic,
linked to car, plane and ship accidents—even
nuclear reactor meltdowns.
SLUMBERLAND BASICS
For dreamy
nights, take a close look at your sleep en-
vironment and habits. These simple tips
may help you fall asleep and stay there:
Keep a schedule.
Try to go to sleep and
get up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Dim the lights.
Bright lights can interfere with the
chemical melatonin, which helps the body grow drowsy
and prepare for sleep. That’s why experts recommend not
watching TV or using a computer right before bedtime.
Keep it cool.
Sleep studies suggest that a cool room is
best for sleeping. But keep warm covers handy: Middle-
of-the-night shivers can shake you awake.
Exercise, but time it well.
Regular exercise during the
day promotes better sleep, but strenuous activity too close
to bedtime can leave the body too revved up for relaxation.
Keep it quiet.
Use the hour before bedtime to relax with
a hot bath, music or light reading. A small snack is OK,
but avoid heavy meals within two hours of heading to bed.
If you continue to have trouble sleeping, talk with your
doctor. There are many treatable disorders—including
restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea—that can leave
you foggy and exhausted, even after hours in bed. Some
common medicines can affect sleep too.
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
Needs vary, but most adults
need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. That’s enough
time for the body to cycle through the important stages it
needs to repair itself—and to prepare for the day ahead.
SLEEP
BETTER, STARTING TONIGHT
Chronic sleep problems may
require a doctor’s help. Take our sleep assessment
at
.
8
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