Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects one in 2, Americans. Although people may begin experiencing symptoms at any age,….
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Updated December 3, Written by Danielle Pacheco. Medically Reviewed by Heather Wright. Potential side effects vary by medication , but you may experience one or more of the following when taking sleeping pills: Related Reading. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. Heather Wright Pathologist MD. Proctor, A. Clinical pharmacology in sleep medicine. ISRN pharmacology, , Pandi-Perumal, S.
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Sleeping pills are classified as sedative hypnotics and are prescribed for insomnia and other sleep disorders to induce sleep. Sleeping pills are only prescribed as a short-term solution for sleep as many of them have the potential to lead to misuse, abuse and addiction. Being able to recognize the signs of sleeping pill abuse can save the life of someone you care about.
Both the immediate and long-term dangers of sleeping pill abuse are enough for most people to exercise caution when using them. The dangerous effects of sleep medications range from seizures to depressed breathing. Some people also experience allergic reactions from sleeping pills that can cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea and swelling. Though rare, people who use sleeping pills may even develop parasomnias.
Parasomnias are defined as sleep disorders that include behaviors like sleep-walking, sleep-eating, sleep-sex, sleep-driving and other potentially dangerous sleep-related activities. The immediate dangers of sleeping pills range from minor fatigue to coma. Some of these side effects can even lead to deadly overdoses, casting light on the true dangers of sleeping pills.
Those who use sleeping pills over a long period of time are likely to experience intensified side effects. As they continue taking these pills over time, the substance builds up in their body and produces unwanted side effects. These effects may include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and depression. Often, this kind of insomnia is worse than the original insomnia.
Rebound insomnia might even cause bizarre and disturbing dreams that can lead to panic attacks and increased anxiety upon waking. Rebound insomnia is a withdrawal symptom from an addiction to a sleeping pill and should not be considered a reason to continue use. Rebound insomnia is often the cause of relapse for those trying to recover. This can create a dangerous cycle of abuse. Make a Call Sleeping pills pose a serious risk of physical dependence, especially when taken for longer than two weeks.
Individuals often lack understanding of how quickly tolerance develops with sleeping pills, especially when someone takes an extra pill here and there. Many people who develop an addiction to sleeping pills have reported increasing their dose after the effects had diminished.
Over time, they developed a tolerance that turned into an addiction. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders outlines the full criteria for clinically diagnosing an addiction. Moreover, stressful life events and trauma, like the death of a family member, can lead to insomnia. Mental Disorders — There are many mental and psychiatric disorders that can be causing issues like insomnia.
Similarly, anxiety disorders may be keeping someone up at night. Poor Sleep Habits — Having an unhealthy sleep schedule, taking too many naps, watching television, using a smartphone before bed, and more can all make it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
Eating Too Much — Some people make the common mistake of eating too much before bed. While a small snack is fine, overeating can make you feel physically uncomfortable while lying down. Many people may experience heartburn and other issues that can keep them awake.
There are a number of prescription, over-the-counter, and natural forms of sleep aid options for those who are suffering from sleep-related issues such as insomnia. Antihistamines — Most over-the-counter sleep aids contain antihistamines. Antihistamines are known to significantly increase daytime sleepiness and nighttime sleep quality. Diphenhydramine — Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. There are a number of popular forms of this drug such as Benadryl, Aleve PM, and more.
There are many potentially harmful side effects associated with diphenhydramine including dry mouth, nose, and throat, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, chest congestion, nervousness, and more. The problem can eventually become serious if you or a loved one experiences vision problems or painful urination call a doctor immediately.
Doxylamine Succinate — Like diphenhydramine, doxylamine succinate is a sedating antihistamine used to help with nighttime sleep efforts. Like most other sleeping pills, doxylamine can cause many side effects including drowsiness, headaches, nausea, nervousness, and more. Melatonin — Melatonin is a hormone in the body that helps to control your natural sleep cycle and circadian rhythm.
Melatonin supplements can be helpful in treating issues like jet lag and can help minimize and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. While the effects of melatonin are mild, it can still lead to a number of different side effects including headaches and daytime sleepiness. Valerian — Valerian is an herbal supplement that can help you fall asleep for those with insomnia.
Valerian is a tall, flowering plant that can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and help you get better sleep quality. There are a number of different side effects that can occur from taking valerian. For example, headaches, dizziness, stomach problems, sleeplessness all can come from using this type of sleep aid. Whatever type of sleeping aid that you may be using, it is important to learn more about what specific substances you are putting in your body as it may cause harmful side effects that can interfere with mental and physical health abilities.
Despite how helpful these medications can be, many sleep aids, such as antihistamines, carry a number of risks. It is best to discuss with a doctor or medical professional if these are safe options. Sleeping pills can lead to a number of problems and can impact or worsen health conditions such as kidney disease, low blood pressure, problems with heart rhythm, and seizures.
Food and Drug Administration required drug makers to lower the recommended dose for women and to suggest that doctors lower the dose for men. This has also been seen in people who have taken the newer sleep aids like Ambien. Hospital patients who took zolpidem were four times more likely to fall than those who did not take the drug during their hospital stay, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
You have sensors on your feet that constantly measure your center of gravity and where you are. People who took prescription sleeping pills were more likely to die or get cancer than those who did not take them, according to a study published in BMJ Open.
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