Chronic Insomnia

If you suffer with any form of sleep disorders then you will know just how debilitating they can be. Although they are not thought of as serious illnesses they can drastically affect the way we live our lives. We become more anxious and stressed, and may have to take time off from our jobs or school; there have also been cases when sleep disorders have caused automobile accidents.

It is thought that almost twenty five per cent of the population have sleep problems at some time in their life. The most common forms are insomnia, snoring, and sleep apnoea.

Chronic insomnia is a disorder when an individual cannot retain a regular sleep pattern, this may include having problems falling asleep and also maintaining sleep. It is one of the most common sleep problems and can result in the person becoming very irritable and exhausted and not able to concentrate. There is no single cause for insomnia, but there are conditions and factors that are thought to make it more likely. These include people above sixty years old, women, and those that suffer from depression.

Stress can also be a major factor, if the individual has suffered a traumatic or worrisome event such as an illness, injury, personal loss, or even examinations then their sleep pattern can become disrupted. Insomnia may also be due to lifestyle or environmental factors such as too much light or noise at night or heavy caffeine consumption. In many cases a normal sleep pattern can return over time. For those people were this is not the case then there are a number of prescription drugs that can be given.

Although not as serious as insomnia, snoring can still be a problem. For the person that snores it may simply be an embarrassment but for those that are trying to rest within earshot it can be very annoying and frustrating. Snoring is caused by a problem with the soft tissue that is found at the back of the throat. This results in the snoring sound being transmitted up the airway.

It may happen that the snoring gets worse with age, but it also depends upon the body shape and size of the individual. In most cases snoring can be treated. Some specialists will recommend that a patient tries to shed weight, specifically fatty tissue, from around the neck. Also it is believed that by avoiding alcohol, sleeping pills, and heavy meals before going to bed the problem can be lessened. Perhaps the easiest remedy is for the snorer to sleep on their side rather than their back.

Affecting fewer people than both insomnia and snoring, sleep apnoea can be a serious condition. The problem is best described as a loss of breath whilst asleep. It is caused by the same muscles as snoring. These relax and block the airway causing a loss of breath for anywhere up to thirty seconds. The result of this is that as the oxygen in the blood supply becomes less the so brain transmits an emergency warning to the rest of the body to make the person wake up and swallow air.

The course of treatment for sleep apnoea will vary depending upon the severity of the condition. Most mild cases can be treated through a change in behaviour and habits. Severe cases will require the use of a CPAP machine at night or even surgery.

Chronic insomnia may not be a life threatening complaint but it can seriously affect an individual’s standard of living. It can cause irritation, stress, absence from work and school, and even automobile accidents. If you are one of the many people that suffer with this problem then it may be useful to try the various chronic insomnia medications. These can help you retain a good sleep pattern and improve your overall life. As with any drugs or treatment it is best to seek advice from your local GP, they may offer any one of a number of solutions.

One of the most commonly prescribed insomnia medications is what are termed hypnotic drugs. These are mostly given to people who cannot sleep sufficiently due to emotional disturbances. Hypnotic medications are mostly given for short term use as tolerance and addiction are a concern. Such drugs include benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and anti-depressants. If a patient is depressed then it is important that if they are given any one of these prescriptions they are monitored regularly to check on their mental well being. If the individual cannot maintain sleep due to pain then they should take analgesics before going to bed.

Benzodiazepines were developed nearly forty years ago. They are still one of the most common chronic insomnia medications for sleep disorders. They target the areas of the brain that are known to be involved in the promotion of sleep. There are various brands available, the most well known being Valium, Tranxene, and Mogadon. These will shorten the time needed to fall asleep and also limit the amount that a person wakes during the night. The actual insomnia can vary so much that some people may drift off easily but cannot maintain sleep or vice versa, for this reason some medications are absorbed slowly while others act quickly.

GPs will also prescribe the class of drugs known as non-benzodiazepines for certain patients. These generally have a quicker action time and a short duration. This is important when an individual does not want to feel drowsy once that have awoke. An example is Zolpidem. As with many anti-insomnia medications there is the possibility for sleep problems reoccurring when it is withdrawn.

At one time barbiturates were commonly prescribed. These work by depressing the central nervous system and alter respiration, heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. Now they are not so often given as they have been found to be more difficult to withdraw and may have a greater risk of suicide.

Certain tricyclic antidepressants that have sedative effects are often given to people that have insomnia linked to mood disorders. They are a preferred option to benzodiazepines if the doctor believes the patient is seriously depressed. They will give a prolonged sleep continuity pattern.

It is now the case that some people will seek out over the counter medications rather than prescription based options. These are generally anti-histamines. Although they will produce a drowsy feeling they will not give a rewarding sleep in which the body and mind can fully rest.

Whatever kind of anti-insomnia medications are taken it is of great importance not to combine them with other drugs or alcohol.