If you suffer from insomnia, chances are you would consider many options if they promised to help you get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, while solutions like sleeping pills often claim to do just that, they’re not without their own problems. Here’s why if you struggle to fall and stay asleep at night, it’s time to ditch the pills and find a long-term solution that really works!
The Dangers of Using Sleeping Pills to Treat Insomnia
According to the American Medical Association, 10 percent of the adult population suffers from chronic insomnia. Although many prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills have been proven safe for treating temporary sleep disturbances, unfortunately they are not typically intended as a long-term solution. Instead, these products are usually designed for temporary use, which while helpful for occasional difficulties, aren’t safe for treating chronic insomnia. That’s because even if they are effective, they can often be habit forming.
Alternative Treatments for Insomnia
The good news is there are alternatives to treating insomnia that you may not have considered. Often, a combination of methods including relaxation, cognitive, and stimulus control therapies can be extremely effective, as can herbal supplements, which have the benefit of being both effective and non-habit forming.
Other drug-free options for treating chronic insomnia include increasing the amount of exercise you get each day, limiting screen time (especially right before bed), and eliminating naps during the day. Your sleep doctor can discuss your options and formulate a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle while addressing specific issues that may be causing you to struggle to get adequate rest.
Remember, while fast solutions like sleeping pills can help you get to sleep temporarily, they weren’t designed to be used as a long-term solution for chronic insomnia. If you are struggling to get the rest you need and would like to solve the problem safely and permanently, schedule a consultation with a sleep specialist today and learn more about your drug-free options.
About Our Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness – Irving, our team of caring and compassionate sleep doctors and dentists want to help you get the rest you deserve. If you suffer from chronic insomnia and are tired of temporary solutions that don’t solve the underlying problem, we’re here to help. To learn more about your options and finally get a good night’s sleep, visit our website to schedule a consultation, or call us directly at 469-331-9629.