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Sufferers of insomnia may be prescribed a wide range of medications. Although generally safe, these medicines are not without their risks. Side effects range from a mild headache to cardiac arrest so they are not to be taken lightly. If you are taking medication or thinking about it, this article can serve as a starting point for discussion between you and your doctor; it is not intended to be medical advice.
Ambien (zolpidem) - If you don't get enough sleep at night, you may feel sleepy during the day. This can lead to increased risk of injury, especially if you operate heavy machinery. If taken with alchohol, those effects can be magnified. Zolpidem also carries a risk of dependency so it should not be used by people with a history of drug abuse. You can become dependent on zolpidem so if you've been taking it on a regular basis, don't stop taking it abruptly. This drug can be harmful to unborn babies so if you are pregnant or think you might become pregnant be sure to mention it to your doctor.
Lunesta - Side effects can include dizziness, memory loss, drowsiness, and problems with coordination. The memory problems can be avoided or minimized by taking it only when you intend to go to sleep. Rarely, people have suffered from outgoing or aggressive behavior, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and strange behavior. You should contact your doctor immediately if you are having dangerous thoughts.
Sonata ( Zaleplon) - Headache and nausea may occur but contact your doctor immediately if you have joint pain, loss of coordination, or dizziness. Rare side effects may include irregular pulse, chest pain, mood changes, memory problems, loss of appetite, tingling of hands or feet, blood in the stool, changes in your urine, and eye and ear problems. You should contact your doctor immediately if you have these or any other side effects.
Diphenhydramine (Sominex, Nytol) - Diphenhydramine may cause prolonged sleepiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. It is not recommended for nursing or pregnant women and it may not be safe for people with a history of enlarged prostate, heart problems, or glaucoma.
Temazepam (Restoril) - Temazepam may cause headache, prolonged drowsiness, blurred vision, nausea, diarrhea, and low blood pressure. It should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women, the elderly, or people with a history of depression or lung disease.
Trazodone (Desyrel) - Trazodone may cause diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision or weight fluctuations. Rarely, this drug may cause cardiac complications or seizures so be sure to remind your doctor if you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure. This drug interacts with Coumadin and many herbal supplements so be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking them.
No matter which drug you end up trying, it is vitally important that you follow your doctor's orders and report any serious side effects immediately. Sometimes a minor adjustment in the dosage may alleviate your side effects but in other cases you may need to try something entirely different.
Insomnia is defined as difficulty in sleeping, or disturbed sleep patterns leaving the perception of insufficient sleep. There are many herbs with reputations as being effective sleep remedies. The key to successful treatment of insomnia is to find the cause. If you do not want to take prescription sleep medication, then there are a plethora of holistic medicines available to you.
Often the key to successful treatments lies in the focusing upon some part or function of the body that is experiencing problems. Hypnotics and nerviness can be used within the context of such treatments. These can be selected based on the role they play upon the system in question. The following are, a list of systems and possible remedies.
1. The circulatory system responds well to Motherwort, Lime Blossom and Balm.
2. The respiratory system responds well to all types of hypnotics, if used in the right dosage.
3. The digestive system relaxants to use are Chamomile, Vervain, Balm, Hops and Valerian.
4. Hypnotics are important to use as a muscle relaxant for the urinary system. Pasque Flower and Black Cohosh have a high success rate on the reproductive system. Jamaican Dogwood, Valerian and Black Cohosh are excellent ingredients to relax the muscles and skeletal systems.
5. Chamomile and Cowslip are healing herbs for the skin.
Some of the medications are classified in the following way:
Hypnotics are herbs with a reputation as easing the person into sleep. They are usually strong nervine relaxants. Nervine relaxants ease the tensions that often produce sleeplessness.
Anti-spasmodics address any somatic muscular tightness that may be involved. Nervine tonics are indicated if there is any suspicion that the insomnia is associated with nervous exhaustion.
Adaptogens will help in a similar way to the nerve tonics, but should only be used in the morning to help deal with stress.
The value of hypnotics is to ensure that the body has a good recuperative rest each night. By selecting herbs that address specific health needs that are compounding the sleep difficulties, better results are obtained than simply going for strong hypnotic.
An example of an herbal prescription for insomnia would be the following:
Insomnia associated with hypertension and headaches:
* Passion Flower
* Valerian
* Linden
* Cramp Bark
7.5ml of tincture 30 minutes before bedtime.
There are many herbal remedies suggested for curing insomnia. You may have to try a few before you find the recipe that works best for you.
NOTE! Always consult a qualified Herbalist for guidance about the correct herbs to use