![]() ![]() While they’re not addictive in the same sense that prescription sleep aids can be, you can quickly become dependent on them. Williams says there is likely a bigger issue affecting your sleep, which you should discuss with your doctor.Īgain, sleep aids aren’t meant to be permanent solutions and come with risks if taken too long. Also, if you feel the need to use a sleep aid for long periods of time (more than seven days in a row) or if you are increasing your dosage, Dr. Older adults or those on other medications should speak to their doctor first before adding OTC sleep aids to the mix. Improving sleep hygiene and melatonin are recommended before taking sedating sleep aids, especially if you are someone with many medical conditions or medicines, Dr. It doesn’t, therefore, knock you out, like antihistamines.” And you’re unlikely to become dependent on melatonin, nor are there many side effects. “Melatonin helps your body know that it's the time to relax and sleep. “Your body’s melatonin level tends to be at its highest at night and lowest in the morning,” Dr. On the other hand, melatonin is considered a more natural option since it’s a hormone that your body produces naturally. “In addition to clearing up congestion, it also causes drowsiness, hence the reason for it being used as a sleep aid.” But there are some unpleasant side effects from using antihistamines on the reg, including headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, and constipation. “Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine, a substance associated with allergy symptoms,” Dr. Doxylamine succinate is for people who can't fall asleep but not because of any other complaints. If allergies, headaches, or minor pains are disrupting your sleep, diphenhydramine can be helpful. Sedating antihistamines can be diphenhydramine (think Benadryl and Aleve PM) or doxylamine succinate (the main ingredient found in NyQuil), Dr. The two main types of sleep aids you’ll find on the market are sedating antihistamines and melatonin. “Meanwhile, poor sleep has been associated with weight gain and depression.” What are the different types of sleep aids available over the counter? “Getting enough sleep is good for your heart, brain, mood, and immune system, and helps with productivity,” she adds. It should go without saying that sleep is an important part of overall wellness, says Dr. In the short run, sleep aids can be a helpful tool. If you find yourself using them regularly, she suggests checking in with your doctor, as there may be an issue that’s preventing you from getting quality sleep, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. “It’s important to not consider medication sleep aids as a long-term solution-you can develop a tolerance to them, and some sleep aids are contraindicated for certain conditions,” she explains. If none of them is working, you may considering trying an over-the-counter sleep aid.īut are sleep aids safe? a valid concern, says Natalie Williams, MD, a family medicine physician at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas. Chances are you’ve tried common tips like going to bed at the same time, avoiding caffeine late in the day, turning off screens before bed, exercising regularly, and managing your stress as best you can. Some people who use high doses or use it long term may suffer from liver damage, so talk with your doctor first.Has everything going on in the world lately left you feeling stressed and exhausted? If you’ve found yourself struggling to get quality shut-eye and want to do something about it, you’re not alone. This herbal remedy is sold as an OTC sleep aid and has a proposed mechanism to increase chemicals that promote relaxation, although it hasn't been well-studied for treating insomnia. As a result, dietary supplements with melatonin have been used to treat various circadian rhythm sleep disorders such as advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders, jet lag and shift work disorder. Melatonin's ability to improve the sleep-wake cycle is well known. Magnesium has been shown to regulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that guides the body's sleep-wake cycle in addition to other chemicals related to relaxation. This mineral that's important for brain function may relax the mind and body to help initiate sleep. This popular decaffeinated tea contains an antioxidant, called apigenin, that has been shown to be mildly sedating.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |