Monday, July 27, 2009

Can I regularly take over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids?

You may have recently tried taking in over-the-counter sleep aids and wondered whether you can continue to take it regularly or not. Here's a few paragraphs from an article entitled OTC Sleep Aids: What's best and what's safe? by Mayo Clinic which provides a short explanation on why or why not take over-the-counter sleep aids regularly.

Over-the-counter sleep aids or supplements may help when stress, travel or other disruptions keep you awake. If you have chronic insomnia, though, a better approach is to remove the cause — most often, by changing your lifestyle.

You've followed all the tips for getting enough sleep — sleeping on a regular schedule, avoiding caffeine and daytime naps, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Still, a good night's rest remains out of reach. You may be thinking about over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids or other sleep supplements. If your problem has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, ask your doctor for an evaluation. It's important to know what's causing your insomnia.

OTC sleep aids are effective for an occasional sleepless night. But the more often you take them, the less effective they become. And OTC sleep aids may leave you feeling groggy and unwell the next day, particularly if you're an older adult. If you're considering sleeping supplements, it's important to understand that much is unknown about their safety and effectiveness.

To read the full article, please click OTC Sleep Aids: What's best and what's safe? by Mayo Clinic


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