Sleep aids for insomnia
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or
poor-quality sleep because of one or more of the following:
* difficulty falling asleep
* waking up frequently during the night with difficulty
returning to sleep
* waking up too early in the morning
* unrefreshing sleep
Insomnia is not defined by the number of hours of sleep a
person gets or how long it takes to fall asleep.
Individuals vary normally in their need for, and their
satisfaction with, sleep. Insomnia may cause problems
during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of energy,
difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term),
intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). Insomnia
lasting from a single night to a few weeks is referred to as
transient. If episodes of transient insomnia occur from
time to time, the insomnia is said to be intermittent.
Insomnia is considered to be chronic if it occurs on most
nights and lasts a month or more.
Ambien can be very effective in the short-term treatment of insomnia. It can help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and not awaken prematurely. If taken as prescribed, Ambien can give you the good night's sleep your body demands without lingering drowsiness the following day.
Ambien (Zolpidem) is in a class of drugs called sedative / hypnotics or sleep medications. Zolpidem affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause insomnia. Zolpidem induces sleep and causes relaxation. It is used to treat sleep disorders such as trouble falling asleep, waking up many times during the night, or waking up too early in the morning. Zolpidem is for short-term use only--usually 7 to 10 days. Longer-term use must be monitored closely by a doctor.
Sonata is the latest medication in sleep treatment for patients who have short term or transient insomnia. Sonata can be taken at bedtime or later, after you have tried to fall asleep.
Take Sonata by mouth, immediately before bedtime or after you have gone to bed and have difficulty sleeping, as directed by your doctor. Do not take Sonata with, or immediately after, a high-fat or heavy meal. This medication helps you fall asleep. To minimize side effects while you are awake (e.g., dizziness or memory trouble), take this medication when you are in bed and are able to get at least four hours of sleep before you need to be active again. Do not use Sonata medication for longer than ten days without your doctor's approval. If your sleep problems continue, consult with your doctor.
