In excess of 30 million US grown-ups, or approximately 1 out of 8 individuals age 18 or more, utilized benzodiazepines in the previous year — with more than 5 million announcing abuse, new research reports. Specialists examined 2015-2016 information from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and found that practically 13% of respondents revealed past-year utilization of benzodiazepine, with just 10% utilizing these operators as recommended and 2% detailing abuse. Abuse represented just about one-fifth of generally speaking use.The most astounding pervasiveness of utilization was found in grown-ups ages 50 to 64 years, while the most astounding predominance of abuse was found in those matured 18 to 25 years.
“The attention has been on the disagreeableness of benzodiazepine, explicitly in more seasoned grown-ups, however with developing use in midlife superimposed on the narcotic pandemic, this issue isn’t leaving,” lead creator Donovan Maust, MD, right hand teacher of psychiatry, University of Michigan and research researcher, Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, revealed to Medscape Medical News.”To our insight, this is the main national gauge of benzodiazepine abuse among more established grown-ups — a shockingly information free territory,” he said.The discoveries were distributed online December 17 in Psychiatric Services.”Relatively Little” Knowledge”Our inspiration for directing the investigation is that, despite the fact that benzodiazepines are broadly endorsed, are controlled by the DEA, and antagonistic occasions give off an impression of being expanding — for instance, benzo-related crisis division harming and overdose mortality — moderately little is thought about the degree of abuse, especially among more seasoned grown-ups who are recommended the most,” Maust said.
To explore this issue, the specialists broke down information from the NSDUH, a 50-state review supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.The NSDUH gives nitty gritty data in regards to physician endorsed sedate use and abuse in the US, including the sort and explanations behind abuse and the wellspring of abused medication.Previous NSDUH overviews had constrained “abuse” to “nonmedical use,” yet the refreshed 2015 definition was modified to incorporate “in any capacity a specialist did not direct.”The analysts utilized information from the 86,186 study members (at any rate 18 years in the 2015-2016 study year) to create national evaluations of benzodiazepine use and abuse among US grown-ups and to comprehend whether attributes related with abuse shifted by age.
The present investigation was centered just around the respondents (n = 10,290) who explicitly revealed benzodiazepine use because of the inquiries regarding sedatives and narcotics. Respondents were gotten some information about past-year use and abuse.
Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills treat insomnia by making you feel drowsy and relaxed. Sleep aids, including natural ones like melatonin, can cause side effects. You may feel confused or sleepy during the day. Some people walk or eat in their sleep (parasomnia). Other nondrug therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be better at improving your sleep.
Overview
What are sleeping pills?
As the name suggests, sleeping pills can help you get some sleep. If you have a sleep disorder like insomnia, you may take these medications to help you fall asleep. Sleeping medicines can also help you stay asleep if you’re prone to waking up in the middle of the night. Sleeping pills go by many names, including:
- Hypnotics.
- Sedatives.
- Sleep aids.
- Sleep medicines.
- Tranquilizers.
Who might need sleeping pills?
An estimated 1 in 7 people in the U.S. have long-term insomnia. Sleep difficulties become more common as you age. Approximately 1 in 3 people age 65 and older take some type of sleep medicine.
What are the types of sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills are available over the counter (OTC), as natural supplements or by prescription.
Over-the-counter sleeping pills
Anyone age 18 and older can buy OTC sleep medications at the drugstore or other retail locations. You don’t need a healthcare provider to write you a prescription for an OTC medication. OTC sleep aids often contain an antihistamine. This drug treats allergies, but it can also make you drowsy.
Natural sleeping pills
Some people take natural remedies like melatonin or valerian supplements to help them sleep. Melatonin is a hormone your body naturally produces that promotes sleep. Valerian is an herb that supposedly aids relaxation and sleep.
Although OTC sleep aids and supplements are easily accessible, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking them. Drugs in over-the-counter sleep aids (including supplements) can interfere with other medications or make health conditions worse.
Prescription sleeping pills
Prescription sleeping pills are stronger than over-the-counter ones. You need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get these pills. Providers don’t typically recommend using prescription sleeping pills long term because they’re not a cure for insomnia and there’s a risk of dependence and addiction. They may help in some cases, but providers will usually only prescribe them for short-term relief.
Types of prescription sleeping pills include:
- Antidepressants.
- Barbiturates.
- Benzodiazepines (benzos).
- Z-drugs, like zolpidem (Ambien®) and eszopiclone (Lunesta®).
Procedure Details
How do sleeping pills work?
Each type of sleeping pill works differently. Some sleep aids cause drowsiness, while others silence the area of your brain that keeps you alert.
Most OTC sleeping pills contain antihistamines. Antihistamines work by blocking histamines, which are substances in your body that cause alertness. Common ingredients in antihistamines include diphenhydramine and doxylamine.
How natural sleep aids work depends on the type of supplement. Melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleep, due to its ability to influence when you fall asleep and wake up. Valerian has a natural calming effect on your nervous system and helps to promote a better night’s sleep.
Prescription sleep medications work in different ways. Benzodiazepines, for instance, work by stimulating a chemical in your brain called GABA, which leads to sedation, muscle relaxation and reduced anxiety. Z-drugs work by slowing the activity in your brain.
What are potential sleeping pills side effects?
Approximately 8 out of 10 people experience a hangover effect the day after taking sleep medicine. They feel drowsy, have muddled thinking and experience dizziness or balance problems. These daytime effects can negatively impact your ability to drive, work, go to school and complete daily tasks. This is why it’s important to use caution when taking a sleep medicine.
Over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills (and supplements) can cause these side effects:
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Dry mouth.
- Headaches.
- Muscle weakness.
- Digestive problems, including gas, heartburn and nausea.
- Can worsen snoring and sleep apnea.
What are the potential long-term side effects of sleeping pills?
When you take sleeping medicines night after night, your body may start to depend on them. When you stop the medicine, your insomnia may come back worse than before. This effect is called rebound insomnia.
If you’ve used sleep aids for a long time, talk to your healthcare provider about how to stop safely. It may take months to stop taking the pills.
You also shouldn’t mix sleep aids with other sedatives or alcohol. There’s a possibility of overdosing.
What are the potential risks or complications of prescription sleeping pills?
Some prescription sleep medicines may bring on parasomnia. This disruptive sleep disorder can cause dangerous behaviors while you’re still mostly asleep. People who take Z-drugs may sleepwalk or eat, take medications, talk or even drive, all while unaware that they’re doing these things. You may appear to be awake, but your brain isn’t fully alert. Most people don’t remember doing these things after they wake up.
Sedatives can also worsen snoring and sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Are sleeping pills addictive?
Benzodiazepines can be addictive and lead to a substance use disorder. To lower this risk, healthcare providers only prescribe these sleeping pills for short-term use. You’re more likely to get a prescription for Z-drugs instead.
Can you take sleeping pills while pregnant?
Any medication you take while pregnant or breastfeeding (chestfeeding) passes to the fetus or baby. Check with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter sleeping pills or supplements. For extreme insomnia, a provider may prescribe a short-term sleep aid.
Are sleeping pills safe for children?
Some parents give over-the-counter antihistamine medications to children to help them sleep. These medicines aren’t approved for sleep purposes. There’s a risk of overdosing your child.
Talk to your pediatrician or pediatric sleep specialist before giving OTC medications or supplements to your child.
Currently, there aren’t any prescription sleep medicines available for children. Changing a child’s sleep behaviors is often the best way to improve sleep.
What is the safest sleeping pill for the elderly?
People age 65 and older should typically try nondrug treatments first because there may be safer ways to improve sleep. Sleeping pills have special risks for older adults. The drugs can stay in your body longer and cause side effects like confusion, memory issues and balance problems that can increase your risk of falls and hip fractures.
If sleep issues are affecting your quality of life and nothing else has helped, talk to a healthcare provider. They may recommend trying an over-the-counter sleep aid like Benadryl Allergy®, Advil PM® or Tylenol PM®. Take these at a low dose for a short time and keep in touch with your provider about any side effects.
What are safe sleeping pills for heart patients?
Sleep issues are a common issue for people with heart disease. According to one study, as many as 44% of heart patients have trouble sleeping. There are many different reasons, from shortness of breath to difficulty getting comfortable after heart surgery. Another study showed that up to 50% of heart surgery patients had trouble sleeping up to six months after their procedure.
Most healthcare providers recommend trying other methods to improve your sleep before sleeping pills. The long-term risks often outweigh the benefits of taking sleep aids. Your provider may recommend you change your sleeping environment or try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) first. If you’re still experiencing sleep issues, talk to your provider about sleeping pills before you start taking them.
What are the best sleeping pills for cancer patients?
Sleep issues can happen for many reasons, and people with cancer often have an increased risk for them. Like people with heart disease, your provider may recommend trying alternative methods to get a better night’s sleep before trying sleeping pills.
They may recommend keeping a sleep diary, in which you track your sleep by writing down the time and patterns of your sleep. You may try changing your sleep environment or talking to your provider about your current medications. They may also recommend cognitive behavioral therapy. If your sleep problems continue, your provider may prescribe a Z-drug.
Recovery and Outlook
How effective are sleeping pills?
Studies show that sleeping pills aren’t that helpful in promoting a good night’s rest. Most people who take sleep aids fall asleep about eight to 20 minutes faster than those without medicine. On average, you might get an additional 35 minutes of shuteye.
Generally, sleep aids should be for short-term use. They may be most helpful if a stressful life event, like a divorce or death in the family, is keeping you awake.
How can I sleep better without sleeping pills?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective tool for improving sleep and curing insomnia. Behavioral changes often improve sleep without the need for medications. Talk to your healthcare provider about this option.
You may also want to:
- Avoid large meals and alcohol before bed.
- Cut back on caffeine, including coffee, sodas and chocolate, throughout the day and especially before bedtime.
- Quit smoking.
- Relax with soothing music, a good book or meditation.
- Shut off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Stay physically active during the day. Try to get outside, if possible.
- Stick to a sleep schedule (same bedtime and wake-up time) even on weekends.
- Turn your bedroom into a dark, quiet and cool sanctuary.
- Wake up at the same time every day, and get 30 to 40 minutes of unfiltered outdoor light exposure within 15 minutes of waking up to help circadian rhythm regulation.
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