When you are having trouble getting to sleep it's tempting to search for quick answers like over the counter sleep aids. However, as is often the case with quick fixes this is not always the right answer to the problem. In fact, it may cause more harm than good.

 

Over the counter sleep medication is an easy reaction to sleeplessness. They are quick, cheep and you don't have to bother with a doctor's visit or waiting for a prescription to be filled. However, they are cheep and quick for a reason. Most of these products rely on the use of antihistamines, a drug usually used to treat runny, itchy sinuses. What they are doing is counting on the common side effect of drowsiness that antihistamines produce. I'm not sure that trying to rely on a drug's side effect to treat someone is always the best method. At any rate, that's what most of these products do.

 

The problem is that over the counter sleep aids that rely on antihistamines do not produce quality sleep. People who use them tend to wake up groggy. They report not feeling well rested and yes while feeling somewhat rested may seem better than not rested at all, this is not ideal. As far as the body's health is concerned not getting quality sleep, that is going through all the stages of sleep properly, can be almost as bad as not getting sleep. Each stage of sleep provides a different function and benefits for the body so missing out on any throws things off and robs you of the necessary function of that stage. Antihistamine induced sleep tends to affect those stages.

 

Another problem is that over the counter sleep aids have all the side effects of antihistamines. The drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, etc. are all possible results from taking these drugs. Taking this causes a host of new problems for you.

 

 

Over the counter sleep medication also doesn't work for everyone. Some people have an opposite reaction to these drugs though that is rare. In those cases though, using an antihistamine will actually keep you awake rather than help you sleep. Also, not everyone gets drowsy enough by an antihistamine to fall asleep if they are suffering from a stronger form of insomnia. Particularly if you already use antihistamines to control allergies. Your body may already be used to the drug and have adjusted to its effects.

 

The use of these drugs also makes it easy to avoid seeing a doctor and determining what the root cause of your sleeplessness is in the first place. Taking over the counter sleep aids may help you get some sleep now, but your insomnia may return when you stop if you haven't addressed what caused it to begin with. It may be that you need to make changes in diet, exercise, reduce stress levels, etc. in order for you to truly get good rest.

 

Other possible treatments without some of the side effects mentioned above could be therapy or natural supplements. Anything that works more naturally with the body to help it restore normal sleep patterns is better in the long run than trying to force sleep unnaturally. Consider these things before running to the store and grabbing over the counter sleep medication. Good sleep is too important to take the short cut route.