system of the human body. This results in tranquility,
relaxation, less anxiety, sleepiness, slowed breathing, slurred
speaking, staggering gait, poor judgment and slow, uncertain
reflexes. They are also called downers, tranquillizers,
depressants, anxiolytics, soporifics or sedative hypnotics.
Most sleeping pills are usually prescribed for patients with
anxiety problems. However, those described as sedatives are also
used to help people sleep. Long term use of sleeping pills is
discouraged as they are addictive and could be dangerous to the
health of the patient.
The human body has two basic drives which is the waking drive
and the sleeping drive. During the day, the waking drive is
strong and the brain remains active. As the day wears on, the
waking drive becomes weaker and the sleeping drive strengthens.
As evening approaches, the sleeping drive builds up and by the
time night approaches, the body is ready to go to sleep. What a
sleeping pill does is that it strengthens the sleeping drive in
the human body. A person with insomnia has imbalanced sleeping
and waking drives.
In normal people, the onset of darkness induces the pineal
gland in the brain to secrete a hormone called melatonin which
prompts the body to go into the sleep drive. The melatonin makes
the body less alert, it slows down the body mechanisms and the
person begins to feel the need to sleep. The action of sleeping
pills is similar. It sends signals to the brain that approximate
to the symptoms produced by the hormone melatonin. The central
nervous system is dampened and its ability to function is
diminished. This makes the person sleepy. Sleeping pills work
less effectively when the patient has had long term insomnia or
has had trouble staying asleep for a long time.
Most sleeping pills are Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are
minor tranquilizers that belong to a class of drugs that are
used to induce sleep. There are several drugs such as
Nitrazepam, Loprazolam and Flurazepam that are categorized under
Benzodiazepines. However, benzodiazepines are also used to
tackle problems relating to anxiety, epileptic seizure and
amnesia and it is important to choose the right benzodiazepine
as a sleeping pill. Some of the trade names of benzodiazepines
drugs are Mogadon, Remnos and Somnite. The natural herb Mandrake
is also a common ingredient in these drugs. Mandrake is
traditionally known as a drug that helps people sleep.
However, there are possibilities of side effects when taking
sleeping pills. Most benzodiazepines have the same side effects-
headaches, drowsiness, light-headedness, unsteadiness,
confusion, forgetfulness, dependence, withdrawal, increase in
aggression and muscle weakness. There are many drugs that one
might be consuming that may interfere with the effectiveness of
sleeping pills. These drugs themselves may be sleep inducing and
taking sleeping pills in addition to such drugs will result in
the effect of these pills lasting longer. People with
respiratory problem, muscle problems, a history of drug or
alcohol abuse or personality disorder, who are consuming
sleeping pills, are advised to use it with caution and to
consult their physician before taking any sleeping pill.
Moreover, some sleeping pills are known to cause amnesia.
Patients have been known to perform several physical
activities—even going on a binge on food—while completely asleep
under the effects of the sleeping pill. Patients must,
therefore, ensure that the instructions are followed
meticulously and go to bed immediately after taking the sleeping
pill.
About The Author: Pills Sleeping
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