Sleeping pills?

Question

Are there dangerous (or any) side effects on your health if you take sleeping pills like, everyday?

Besides the addiction. I'm looking more for the specifics of the health risks on your body caused by taking the chemical in sleeping pills. Like drinking too much does certain things to your liver, smoking causes symptoms in your lungs, etc.

I'm not asking how to fall asleep.

Answer 1

Yes! Each year Americans consume five billion sleeping pills and, sadly, 15,000 Americans die from taking sleeping pills.

Sleeping pills (hypnotics) such as Ambien and Lunesta are not technically benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Serax, Klonopin, etc.), but they act by the same mechanisms and have the same effects on the brain and body.

Side effects, including seizures, mania, depression, suicide, ringing in the ears, amnesia, dizziness, anxiety, disorientation, low blood pressure, fluid retention, sexual dysfunction (decreased desire and performance), weakness, somnolence (prolonged drowsiness or a trance-like condition that may continue for a number of days), headaches, and the list goes on.

Amino acids such as L-theanine and 5-hydroxytrryptophan (5HTP) are an effective and safe alternative.

Answer 2

Yes, you can become addicted. Most sleeping pills are designed to break old sleep patterns and set new ones. The pills are prescribed for 2-3 weeks to force the body back onto a normal schedule.

However, some of the newer pills like Lunesta are approved for long term use.

Answer 3

Sleeping pills can be used only if prescribed by the doctor, since he shall check ur age, health conditions and requirement of the power of the sleeping pills... I too got from the doctor's advice rather than across the counter at the medical shop.. He asked me not to continue after 10-20 days.. Since i might get addicted to it.. So Jus go to ur doctor.... All will be fine

Answer 4

Yes there are. You should
never grow dependant on
sleeping pills. Go to the root
cause and find out WHY
you can't sleep, and fix that,
rather than relying on a chemical pill.

Answer 5

Yes they are very addictive. Last night I had to take six Unisom to get to sleep. It can also lead to other drug abuse. I am pain killer addict. It started with sleeping pills and graduated up to taken six Vicodan at one time not really to get high but just to space out and have no worried thoughts. BE VERY CAREFUL. My abuse led to my divorce. Don't start now, or if you already started get help NOW.

Answer 6

Taking most any drug on a daily basis is hard on your internal organs, your stomach, your liver, your kidneys, etc.

Answer 7

Homeopathic Treatment for Sleeplessness / Insomnia, due to different reason and with different set of symptoms (No side effects or interaction with conventional drugs) :-


Sleeplessness during menopausal stage Senecio Aur 30X, 4 hourly

Cannot sleep in the early hours of night; utterly wide awake, mind active; sleeplessness due to excitement Coffea Cruda 30X 6, hourly

Cannot sleep after 3 A.M.; sleeplessness due to mental strain or sedentary habits; sleep dreamy and restless Nux Vomica 30X, at bed times for 7 days

Due to fear or panic; insomnia after shock or fright; restlessness and tossing in bed Aconite Nap 30X 4 hourly

Due to tiredness; either physical or mental; bed feels too hard; must keep moving in search of soft portion for relief in bed Arnica Montana 30X or 200X, 1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Sleeplessness after midnight from anxiety and restlessness; has to get up and walk Belladonna 30X, 4 hourly

Sleepy yet unable to sleep; child tosses, kicks clothes off, twitches; restless sleep with frightful dreams Arsenic Album 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

Sleeplessness and restlessness; specially in first part of night; gets up and walks on the floor, as soon as the bed time comes patient is wide awake Chamomilla 30X or 200X, 4 hourly

Sleeplessness due to old grief; after dreams of thieves or robbers Natrum Mur 200X or 1M, 10 min (3 Doses)

Sleeplessness due to sudden shock; disappointment Ignatia 200X or 1M, 10 min (3 Doses)

Feels sleepy but cannot sleep; clocks striking at a distance keep him awake; bed feels hot; moves about in vain to find a cool spot in bed Pulsatilla 30X or 200X, 4 hourly

Restlessness during early part of sleep; sound sleep when it is turns to rise; gets too hot in bed; throws off covers, gets chilly and puts them on again; puts arms above the head during sleep Opium 30X or 200X, 4 hourly

Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine

Take Care and God Bless you.