sleep

[Emiliano Rodtenhausen]

Sleeping pills come in many different forms, but the two most common are benzodiazepines (sleeping pills like Ativan and Valium) and sleeping pills like Ambien. While they are usually effective in the treatment of insomnia induced by anxiety, they risks and side effects of prescription sleeping pills can be extreme and far outweigh the benefits. For example, Xanax has been known to cause hallucinations, blurred vision and sometimes even increased anxiety and depression, which exacerbates insomnia. Ambien sleeping pills also quickly induce sleep but still have a wide range of negative side effects. In addition, Ambien can cause an overdose and is suspected in the death of actor Heath Ledger. Because of all of this, prescription sleeping pills are generally not recommended and even doctors won't prescribe them for long periods of time. Herbal supplements and relaxation techniques should be used in place of sleeping pills wherever possible.

If you are thinking of using Ativan think again! Even by the standards of other prescription drugs it is dangerous, and people using Ativan require constant monitoring of kidney and liver function to ensure that it is not causing permanent damage to the body. Ativan is prescribed all too often, both for anxiety and sleep problems, but the prescription of a pharmaceutical drug like Ativan makes the assumption that your anxiety and sleeping problems are being caused by a chemical imbalance when there are many other factors which could be affecting you. Before resorting to the use of Ativan or another benzodiazepine you should try a combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, cognitive therapy and/or herbal remedies. All of these are obviously side effect and dependency free methods of dealing with anxiety and insomnia, whereas Ativan can lead to addiction, dependency and permanent damage to the body.

Alprazolam sounds like a delicious candy, but is actually a very powerful drug much more commonly known as Xanax. Used in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, alprazolam can cause depression and in some cases make insomnia worse. Thankfully there are a few alternatives to using alprazolam, many available without a prescription. Natural supplements containing St. John's Wort and Valarian Root have been shown to have a great effect on anxiety and insomnia without harsh side effects. Many people do not use these in place of alprazolam because they do not give you the same "oomph" and immediate relief that prescription drugs can offer, but they can help you get a much better night's sleep. Natural supplements can not only improve both the amount of sleep you get but also the quality of sleep, whereas prescription drugs often make you go to sleep but leave you very groggy the next morning. For a much more natural sleep try natural supplements and only use prescription drugs like alprazolam in cases of serious insomnia.

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