Before resorting to taking sleep aids, you should have a doctor take a basic history of your sleep disorder. This will assist you in finding the most appropriate treatment. You may be experiencing event related insomnia, such as stress, anxiety of from a loss of someone close to you. This situational insomnia may be treated with alternative methods. Relaxation techniques and changes to your sleep routines may be helpful.

Others may experience long-term sleep disorders that may require medication. Before taking them you should be aware of potential side effects. There are many over the counter sleep aids available. You should always read the instructions and follow the directions carefully. There may be the possibility that your physician will prescribe a medication as well.

When you take any form of sleep aid, you have a chance of becoming dependent to the medication. At times, you will need to take more and more of them for it to be effective. With prolonged use, the pills may not work as well.

Some side effects of over the counter sleeps aids may include the dependency of taking them. You may also experience drowsiness the next day. Because over the counter sleep aids have antihistamines in them, you could experience dry mouth and blurred vision. Confusion and dizziness have also been reported.

Prescribed medications will also have sleep aid side effects and not only the potential dependence, but confusions, dry mouth and drowsiness during the day. They may also interfere with other medications you are taking and create some very life threatening side effects.

Another side effect of both the over the counter and prescribed sleep aids is the withdrawal experienced when taking them. Shaking, sweating and nausea can be experienced. Many doctors will recommend taking a sleep aid on an intermittent basis to prevent some dependency. Long-term use of these aids may have more serious side effects. In the older population that experiences more sleep disorder issues, and medical conditions, great care in using sleep aids is necessary.

Before taking any type of medication, your doctor should always be consulted to reduce potential problems, especially with other health issues. Trying homeopathic remedies and other sleep enchaining techniques may work for you. If you experience and sleep aid side effects, you should check with your doctor and perhaps stop taking them.

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