sleep

[O. L. Pfringes]

Sleeping pills come in many different forms, but the two most common are benzodiazepines (sleeping pills like Ativan and Valium) and sleeping pills like Ambien. While they are usually effective in the treatment of insomnia induced by anxiety, they risks and side effects of prescription sleeping pills can be extreme and far outweigh the benefits. For example, Xanax has been known to cause hallucinations, blurred vision and sometimes even increased anxiety and depression, which exacerbates insomnia. Ambien sleeping pills also quickly induce sleep but still have a wide range of negative side effects. In addition, Ambien can cause an overdose and is suspected in the death of actor Heath Ledger. Because of all of this, prescription sleeping pills are generally not recommended and even doctors won't prescribe them for long periods of time. Herbal supplements and relaxation techniques should be used in place of sleeping pills wherever possible.

What can be done if you can't sleep? It depends of course on why you can't sleep. Most cases of insomnia are either environmental (room is too hot, too much noise) or emotional (stress anxiety). Some people can fall asleep anywhere, and others need just the right temperature and light levels or else they can't sleep. If the second category is you, unfortunately there is little that can be done except try to get your bedroom as close to the perfect sleep environment as possible. If you can't sleep because of anxiety herbal supplements can be a great help. Although many are skeptical, herbal supplements have real science behind them, and if you can't sleep they should be used much before you consider a prescription drug. These supplements are available without prescription in pharmacies, health food stores and online. They have no side effects or addictive qualities. If you can't sleep trust the healing powers of nature.

If you are thinking of using Ativan think again! Even by the standards of other prescription drugs it is dangerous, and people using Ativan require constant monitoring of kidney and liver function to ensure that it is not causing permanent damage to the body. Ativan is prescribed all too often, both for anxiety and sleep problems, but the prescription of a pharmaceutical drug like Ativan makes the assumption that your anxiety and sleeping problems are being caused by a chemical imbalance when there are many other factors which could be affecting you. Before resorting to the use of Ativan or another benzodiazepine you should try a combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, cognitive therapy and/or herbal remedies. All of these are obviously side effect and dependency free methods of dealing with anxiety and insomnia, whereas Ativan can lead to addiction, dependency and permanent damage to the body.

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