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OTC sleep aids are taken to deal with transient or short term insomnia. They are readily available at any pharmacy or large grocery store. Most people will at one point or another experience insomnia, where a getting a good nights sleep becomes elusive. Types of OTC Sleep Aids There are various types of OTC sleep aids available at the local pharmacy. Most of these OTC sleep aids contain an antihistamine as the active ingredient. The following are some of the most common OTC sleep aids: Diphenhydramine brand names include, Unisom, Nighttime Sleep Aid and Sleeptabs. Doxylamine brand names include, Sominex, Compoz, Benadryl and Nytol Side Effects of OTC Sleep Aids OTC sleep aids have number of side effects. The side effects can range in severity from mild to life-threatening depending on medical history and whether the drugs are taken concomitantly with other medications. Some of the most common side effects include: Next day drowsiness and in some cases prolonged drowsiness Dizziness Memory lapses Constipation Dry mouth Pregnant women and people with the following pre-existing conditions should avoid OTC sleep aids: Peptic ulcers Heart conditions Asthma Bronchitis Enlarged prostate People on anti-depressant medication should consult a doctor before taking OTC sleep aids because there is a risk of dangerous drug interactions. Further, OTC sleep aids should never be taken while one has consumed alcohol because they tend to amplify the sedative effect of alcohol. Medical Problems Associated with OTC Sleep Aids In addition to the listed side effects, OTC sleep aids can also lead to other medical problems if moderation is not exercised. The worst of these medical problems is drug tolerance which then leads to drug dependence. Prolonged use of OTC sleep aids causes the body to develop tolerance to the drug. The result is that the body will need a higher dose with each dosing in order to obtain the intended result. Long term drug use leads to drug dependence where one is unable to sleep without the drugs. How to Sleep Better Nobody should ever have to resort to OTC sleep aids in order to get a good nights rest. Sleep should come naturally and easily. Thankfully, the main reasons that lead to insomnia are behavioral. With some adjustments in lifestyle, sleep can come as naturally as it should. The following are a few tips on how to sleep better: Establish regular sleep times this trains your body to adjust to a regular sleep-wake cycle. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants the chemical structure of stimulants is designed to keep you awake and alert. To be able to sleep, avoid taking caffeine and other stimulants six hours before bed time Avoid alcohol alcohol interferes with the bodys internal mechanism for regulating sleep. If you are experiencing sleepless nights, avoid taking alcohol at least 6 hours before bedtime. Exercise get into the habit of regular exercise. Exercise causes your body to release a hormone known as endorphin into your blood stream. Endorphin is a natural pain killer that encourages relaxation and a general feeling of well being. However, avoid exercising too close to bedtime because your pulse will still be high as a result of the physical activity and prevent you from falling asleep immediately. Avoid daytime naps it is true that companies such as Google encourage their employees to take short power naps which stimulate creativity but if you are suffering from sleeplessness, this is definitely a bad idea because your body needs to establish a regular sleep-wake schedule. Comfortable bed this may sound like common sense but many people fail to replace mattresses at the recommended time which in turn leads to posture problems. When the body is in bad posture during sleep, blood supply is cut off to parts of the torso. You are then forced to turn and in the process wake up. If you suspect an uncomfortable bed to be the cause of sleeplessness, replace your mattresses or bed. Further, ensure the room is quiet and darkened. Non-drug treatments there are a number of non-drug treatments for insomnia which work just as well as OTC sleep aids and prescription medication. The most well known of these is milk. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid which helps induce sleep. A glass of warm milk before bedtime does wonders for sleep. Herbal extracts such as chamomile and valerian have been observed to have some action against sleep disorders. Our SleepWell is a all natural sleep aid. OTC sleep aids are only moderately effective in combating transient sleeplessness. However, the underlying problem must be indentified and resolved because OTC sleep aids are only a temporary solution. Constant use may lead to drug tolerance and dependence. That is why we recommend a 100% natural, non habit forming sleeping aid such as SleepWell.
Try SleepWell™ Today For Quality, Deep Sleep!
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