A List Of The Potential Side Effects Associated With Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills are drugs that are meant to induce sleep. These are widely used drug all over the world. In recent years, it has been found that insomnia or sleeplessness is a major issue in the world. Numerous people in the world find it difficult to have good sleep at night due to a variety of reasons. Stress is one of the most important factor that causes insomnia in men and women. Therefore, they are dependent on artificial drugs like sleeping pills (also known as hypnotics, sedatives and soporifics) to induce sleep.

Sleeping Pills
These pills are basically used for therapeutic or medicinal purposes. They are prescribed to patients suffering from chronic insomnia. Sleeping pills are also used as relaxation medications or anxiety cures to all anxiety disorders. On the other hand, sedatives are administered to patients before any major surgery procedure. Although sedatives do not relieve the patient of any pain or symptoms; they are given before administering anesthetics to the patient. Sedatives are most useful, specially while treating children. However, it has been found that sleeping pills are used in large numbers by people on a regular basis to cure their sleep disorders or insomnia. Most of the time, it is also found that people misuse stronger sedatives like barbiturates to combat against anxiety and stress. One may be unaware, but, there are several side effects of sleeping pills. Let us take a look at sleeping pill risks.

Side Effects of Sleeping Pills
The effects of these pills depend on the type and quantity consumed by the person. The following are the mild side effects that can be observed on taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

• Dry mouth
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Burning sensation in joints
• Vertigo
• Confusion

Apart from these, drug dependency is one of the most significant side effects. Most people are unaware that sleeping pills are meant for temporary and short-term use and should not be continued for a longer time. However, when a person gets used to the relaxed feeling brought about by these drugs; he becomes dependent on it. The person also lives in the misconception that sleeping pills help in overcoming stress and hence, he gets addicted to it. This can lead to drug overdose which is hazardous. Sleeping pills effects become more complicated if a person is already suffering from other chronic disease like COPD, diabetes, etc. The following are the effects of sleeping pills overdose.

• Difficulty in breathing
• Lack of coordination
• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Seizures
• Loss of memory
• Respiratory disorders
• Lack of judgment
• Slow pulse rate
• Pneumonia

Sometimes, sleep becomes uncontrolled making the person unaware of his actions and environment. The condition when a person in unaware of his actions is known as Parasomnia. If a person ventures out of the house or drives in this state, it can have fatal consequences. On the other hand, the human body develops tolerance to these drugs which results in excess consumption and finally drug overdose. Overdose of barbiturates can be very fatal and can lead to coma and even death.

Though beneficial in some cases, these side effects should be kept in mind, whenever one thinks of using such pills for stress relief. There are several effective stress management techniques that help in overcoming stress and tensions. One should try to stay away from sleeping pills and other sedative drugs as much as possible. On the other hand, if one has to have a sleeping pill, it should be taken only on the doctor's prescription and that too, in limited quantity!