Over the Counter Sleep Aids

Sometimes you have tried everything and you still can't get to sleep. You've taken the hot bath, had a drink of warm milk and done the deep breathing and meditation thing. You've listened to quiet and soothing music. You have counted approximately six hundred sheep. Nothing works. You can't fall asleep and you are getting frustrated. It is usually at this point that most people turn to over the counter sleep aids. Here is what you need to know if you are considering turning to over the counter sleep aids.

Over the counter sleep aids can produce a number of less than fun side effects. These side effects can include (but are not limited to) dizziness, headache, reduced alertness, vomiting, fatigue and daytime sleepiness. A common complaint from people who have tried over the counter sleep aids was that they still couldn't sleep during the night but come eleven o'clock the next morning; they were dead on their feet and couldn't function. It is also important to know that it is very easy to build up a tolerance to over the counter sleep aids. Sometimes it will stop working because of this built up tolerance in as little as three days.

Always read all of the fine print on the bottles before buying the over the counter sleep aids and taking them home. The FDA requires that explicit instructions and warnings be included with these medications and it is important to understand what you will be taking. Something everybody should be aware of is that the FDA only approved over the counter sleep aids for occasional use. These are not meant to cure insomnia. If you suffer from persistent insomnia you need to see your doctor.

Over the counter sleep aids are very dangerous for women who are pregnant or nursing. They are also very dangerous for people who have glaucoma or breathing problems.

They should never be taken if you have alcohol in your system. They should also be left on the shelf if you have recently taken any sort of other sleeping pill, tranquilizer or sedative.

Over the counter sleep aids contain very specific antihistamines. Histamines are chemical agents that tell your brain to stay awake or to increase its alertness. Antihistamines block these chemical agents and that is why you get sleepy when you take any sort of medication (including allergy or cold medication) that includes them. This is also why, if you have already taken any other sort of antihistamine that you avoid over the counter sleep aids because the extra antihistamines could be extremely harmful to your health. Plus, if you already have some sort of antihistamine in your system and still can't sleep the over the counter sleep aid probably would not have helped you anyway.

It can be very frustrating as you lie there at night, watching the time tick by and not being able to sleep. If your problems are severe, person you ask about sleeping needs to be your doctor.

Difficulty Sleeping Tip #1

Caffeine is only your friend during the morning hours. Even though you might not think that caffeine affects you very much, it does play a big part in your body's ability to settle down and rest at the end of the day. If you must have coffee, switch to decaf after lunch. Caffeine can affect your body for up to eight hours. The longer it has to leave your system the less likely it is to affect your sleeping habits.

Difficulty Sleeping Tip #2

Exercise will not wear you out; it will actually pump you up. Exercise actually gives people energy. While you might feel tired immediately after a workout, your body will not sleep well if you try to do your workout right before bed. It is also bad for your body as a rule to go from lots of motion to staying still. This is why there are warm ups and cool downs before and after exercise workouts.

Difficulty Sleeping Tip #3

While many of us may fall asleep while watching television, if you are having sleeping problems, you want to give yourself at least an hour before going to bed that is television free. Television is a stimulant for your brain (even if the material is not particularly scholarly in content). Watching it right before bed keeps you awake and it takes a while for your brain to wind down after you turn the television off.