{"id":2718,"date":"2018-04-21T12:51:29","date_gmt":"2018-04-21T12:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnights.rest\/?page_id=2718"},"modified":"2018-05-30T14:00:02","modified_gmt":"2018-05-30T14:00:02","slug":"sleep-medication-effects-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/goodnights.rest\/how-seniors-sleep\/sleep-medication-effects-and-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Seniors and Sleeping Pills: Effects and Safety Concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before we get the effects of sleep medication on seniors, we need to look at the medication itself. But before even that,\u00a0we need to lay out the information about\u00a0the condition that likely necessitates regular use of sleep mediation:\u00a0Insomnia<\/a>.\u00a0It is a condition where a person finds it difficult to fall or stay asleep, even when\u00a0they have the opportunity to do so comfortably. Those afflicted with it usually complain of low sleep quality; along with other symptoms like fatigue, difficulty focusing and concentrating, abrupt changes in mood, and an overall decrease in performance—whether it be related to\u00a0studies or work.<\/p>\n

\"sleepless<\/p>\n

Seniors and Insomnia<\/h2>\n

There are two types of insomnia:\u00a0acute and chronic<\/a>. Acute insomnia is short-term and lasts for only three months, while chronic insomnia occurs at least three times a week for a minimum of three months. Unfortunately, older people are more likely to experience the latter<\/a>.\u00a0What\u2019s even more disturbing is that it is rarely diagnosed and treated in this age group; considering that lack of sleep is associated with poor aging, not to mention a lot of comorbidities. The National Institute on Aging conducted a survey over a decade ago with more than 9,000 respondents aged 65 years and older; and found out that 28% of them experience difficulty in initiating sleep, while 42% reported issues both in initiating and maintaining sleep. Moreover, these complaints were associated with an increase in several other issues, including physical ailments, use of nonprescription medication, and an overall poorer self-perceived health.<\/p>\n

Common Sleep Medications<\/h2>\n

Thankfully, there are several medications which can help not only with falling asleep, but also staying asleep. Uninterrupted sleep makes for a more satisfied feeling in the morning. Each type of medication has a specific method of action, and as with any drug, an adverse effect which must be especially monitored—particularly among older patients—for risk of physical accidents or progressing psychological issues. Before we look into the studies tackling the safety of sleep medication, let\u2019s take a quick look at the different types of sleep medications<\/a>, how they work, and what their most common side effects are. Note that we are not including dietary supplements and natural sleep aids in this list.<\/p>\n

\"sedative<\/p>\n

Sedatives and Hypnotics<\/h3>\n

This group of medication works by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA<\/a> in the brain, which results to drowsiness and ultimately facilitates and maintains sleep. Here are the different types of sedatives:<\/p>\n