Can't sleep? What you need to know about sleeping pills!

When you go to bed at night, you toss and turn, but you can't sleep? Your head is racing, and time is just passing... This is a problem that many people have. So at this time, some people think, 'I wish I could just buy a sleeping pill from the pharmacy and take it and fall asleep.' But even if you think like that, sleeping pills are not something that you can use as you please. Today, let's talk about these sleeping pills, their pros and cons, and what you need to know before using them.

What are these sleeping pills?

As the name suggests, sleeping pills are a type of medication that helps you fall asleep. If you have a problem with insomnia , you can use these medications to help you fall asleep. They can also help someone who wakes up frequently in the middle of the night to stay asleep. They are also called sedatives or hypnotics.

Simply put, these control your brain activity a bit and put you in a sleepy state.

What are the main types of sleeping pills?

Sleeping pills can be divided into three main categories. It is essential to talk to your doctor before using any of these types.

Let's also learn about the side effects of sleeping pills.

Sleeping pills can sometimes cause unexpected side effects. It's important to be aware of these.

Commonly seen side effects

Many people experience a "hangover" the next day after taking a sleeping pill. This means that you may still feel sleepy, dizzy, lightheaded, and weak the next day . This can make it difficult for you to drive, work, or do other daily tasks.

Other side effects are:

• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Gas , bloating, and nausea
• Muscle weakness
• Worsening of snoring and sleep apnea

Risks of long-term use

If you keep taking sleeping pills every night, your body will start to depend on them. Then, when you stop taking the pills, you may have worse insomnia than before. This is called "rebound insomnia."

Some powerful sleeping pills can cause a condition called parasomnia . This means that you do things while you are asleep without even realizing it. For example, you sleepwalk, eat, talk, and sometimes even drive. When you wake up, you don't remember any of this. This is a very dangerous condition.

Who should be especially careful?

Using sleeping pills can be more risky for some people than for others.

• Elderly people (seniors): Sleeping pills are especially risky for people over the age of 65. Because the drugs stay in their bodies longer, they can cause confusion, memory problems, and loss of body control, leading to falls. Therefore, it is best to try non-drug methods first.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers: Any medication you take can affect your baby. So don't take any sleeping pills without first consulting your doctor.
• Young children: Some parents give their children over-the-counter antihistamines to help them sleep. This is very dangerous and wrong. These medications are not approved for use in children. Also, there is a high risk of overdose in children. If your child is having trouble sleeping, see a pediatrician.
• People with other medical conditions: People with other medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or kidney disease should definitely talk to their doctor before taking sleeping pills.

Ways to sleep well without sleeping pills

In fact, studies have shown that the increase in sleep time that sleeping pills provide is not as great as one might think. Most people fall asleep about 8-20 minutes earlier, and get about half an hour of extra sleep at most. Therefore, lifestyle changes are much more effective than resorting to medication.

• Establish a bedtime and wake-up time: Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time, even on weekends.
• Create a sleep environment: Make your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
• Stop looking at your phone, tablet, or TV at least half an hour before bed: The blue light from these devices disrupts your sleep.
• Stay active during the day: Exercise can help you sleep better, but avoid exercising too close to bedtime.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol: Avoid drinking coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola after midday. Avoid alcohol before bed.
• Don't eat a full stomach before bed: It's okay to eat a light meal.
• Do something relaxing: Do something before bed, like reading a book, listening to a soothing song, or meditating.
• CBT Treatment: The best non-drug treatment for insomnia is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . Talk to your doctor about this.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are a user of sleeping pills and have the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately:

• Persistent extreme fatigue.
• Confusion or memory problems.
• Abnormal behaviors such as sleepwalking (Parasomnia).
• Difficulty concentrating on things like driving.
• Severe stomach ache.

Finally, if you overdose on a sleeping pill or something like alcohol, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. If necessary, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

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