A better “help-sleep” drug

Have you been tossing and rolling in bed lately? Staring endlessly in the ceiling till the wee hours of the

morning while counting sheep? Then you are suffering from sleeping disorder or insomnia. Insomnia can also be defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up too early, or waking up feeling worn out. Almost everyone has brief encounters with insomnia. Studies show that about 10% of Americans suffer from insomnia.

Though there are really no concrete causes of insomnia. Experts claim that conditions that may cause it may vary from person to person. Health factors such as heart ailment, sleep apnea, asthma can result in insomnia for some individuals. While environmental factors like a simple sound, an uncomfortable mattress or pillow may cause a difference in the sleep patterns for a few. Diet also plays a role in the development of insomnia. Excess caffeine or food consumed close to bedtime may affect the quality of sleep. Other reasons of insomnia are anxiety, depression, and stress. Be sure to evaluate yourself of the factors mentioned if you are having difficulty in your sleep. However these episodes of sleeplessness usually last for a few nights and the sleep pattern returns to its normal. This happens when the cause of the sleep disturbance is settled. If an individual suffer from insomnia for a month or more, treatment is required to restore the sleeping pattern back to normal

The effects of insomnia are alarming. Poor health, fatigue, impatience, diminished mental alertness and memory, and irritability are some of the common effects of insomnia. Because of the harmful effects of sleep disorder a number of individuals are sometimes forced to miss work or school days. Others often feel exhausted in social gatherings because of lack of sleep.

            Several medications have been developed to treat insomnia. Ambien is taken orally immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach or as directed by a physician. Ambien is not intended for long term use and is usually taken for duration of 7 to 10 days. Ambien intake should never be increased or taken for extended periods unless prescribed by your doctor

Common Ambien side effects are daytime drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, and dry mouth. When you are rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly to avoid dizziness. The use of alcoholic beverages may aggravate the harmful effects of Ambien and should therefore be avoided.

Because Ambien causes drowsiness, it should be used with caution. One should refrain driving or other similar activities while under medication. If other effects of Ambien are noticed other than the ones listed, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

            Ambien is available on line through drugstoretm.com. Be aware of your body’s physical response to sleep medications. Ambien does not promise normal sleeping patterns after a week or ten-day intake.  Immediately discontinue use if acute adverse effects are experienced or if you are unhappy with the result.

            Since small amounts of Ambien are found in breast milk, breast feeding mothers are not encouraged to take this drug.