Every night, millions of people in the U.S. are struggling to fall sleep or stay asleep. For those with insomnia, just sleeping can become a severe, ongoing struggle that has a negative impact on overall health and wellness.
What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia can be caused by both psychiatric and physical medical conditions, unhealthy sleep habits and certain biological factors. Researchers believe that insomnia is the result of the brain's confusion between the sleep cycle and the wake cycle. Causes of insomnia range from mild to severe. They include:- Nasal / Sinus Allergies
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Endocrine Problems (Thyroid Disorders)
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Neurological Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Lower Back Pain
- Fatigue
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Poor Memory
- Mood Swings
- Low motivation or energy
- Increased accidents
- Increased fatigue during daylight
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Insomnia and Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills are commonly prescribed for those suffering from insomnia. Rreferred to as "sedative hypnotics," these drugs include benzodiazepines, barbiturates and various other hypnotic drugs. Benzodiazepines include Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Librium. They're commonly used to treat anxiety, but they also increase drowsiness and help people sleep. Barbiturates work by depressing the central nervous system and causing sedation. Sleep-inducing drugs such as Lunesta, Sonata and Ambien work quickly to increase drowsiness and promote sleep. As with other medications, these drugs have a long list of side effects. Common side effects of prescription sleeping pills such as Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien, Rozerem and Halcion include:- Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet or legs
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Difficulty keeping balance
- Daytime drowsiness
- Dry mouth or throat
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Problems with attention or memory
- Weakness
- Uncontrollable shaking in the body
- Stomach pain