Short-Term vs. Long-Term Use of Sleep Medications

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall or stay asleep, and frequent nighttime awakenings characterize it. At the same time, the root cause of sleep disorders might include stress, anxiety, depression, certain medical conditions such as asthma or chronic pain, lifestyle factors such as irregular sleep schedules, caffeine consumption, or prolonged use of electronic devices before bedtime can disrupt your sleep schedule, leading to insomnia. For treating insomnia, most doctors prescribe sleeping pills that are meant to regulate sleep patterns and promote a better quality of sleep, but only as a short-term relief.

Also, long-term usage of certain sleeping pills is deemed unsafe as it can lead to dependency or addiction, making individuals seek increased doses of drugs to reach the same hypnotic effect. Hence, it is advised to seek professional help before using any sleep medications for insomnia; their guidance and instructions can help you manage insomnia safely and effectively. However, if you can combine some lifestyle adjustments with medication treatment, it can bring out noticeable changes in your sleep patterns. In this blog, we will delve into the short-term and long-term usage of sleep medication to discuss what's beneficial for the patients.

What are Sleep Medications?

Are you struggling with insomnia and considering taking sleep medication to alleviate the symptoms? Before you start using sleeping pills, it's important to understand the safety concerns and benefits of both short-term and long-term usage of sleep aids. At the same time, nobody wants to toss and turn in their bed all night, looking at the ceiling and feeling frustrated about their helpless condition. Most of these people tend to wake up feeling sleepy and tired the next morning, which disrupts their quality of life. Although occasional sleep problems are common, caused by stress, jetlag, tension, or work-related pressure, it becomes concerning when these problems persist and worsen, leading to poor sleep quality regularly. It is crucial for patients using long-term sleeping pill therapy to closely follow their healthcare provider's instructions and regularly reassess whether continuing medication is necessary

Short-Term Use of Sleep Medications

The primary benefit of most sleep aids is that they induce drowsiness that increases the likelihood of you falling and staying asleep, enhancing the quality of sleep and reducing nighttime awakenings. However, given the potential for side effects, it's always safest to take it according to the prescription and for a short period, regardless of the type of sleep aid. Given below are some of the pros and cons of using sleep aids for short-term treatment of sleep disorders:

Pros

• Sleep aids help alleviate the consequences of sleep deprivation, such as daytime drowsiness and impaired thinking, by improving sleep in the short term.
• Sleep aids are usually safe and effective when used for a short period by healthy adults under the direction of a healthcare provider.
• Short-term use of sleep aids can help reset your sleep schedule, enabling you to get more sleep and improving its quality and duration.
• Due to the habit-forming tendency of sleep aids, it is better not to rely on sleeping pills for an extended period.
• Using the right type of sleep aids, even for a short period, can offer relief from insomnia or sleep disruptions.
• Most doctors recommend sleep aids for short-term relief from insomnia. These are mostly useful in cases of acute sleep disruptions, such as jet lag or surgery recovery.

Cons

• When used for occasional relief from insomnia symptoms caused by a death or divorce, it can lead to some common side effects like headache, nausea, drowsiness, and flushing. You should seek medical help promptly if they persist or worsen over time.
• Short-term use of sleeping pills can lead to rebound insomnia, a condition where insomnia worsens or returns when the medication is stopped.
• When you use a sleeping medication for a short period and then discontinue it all of a sudden, it can cause withdrawal symptoms, leading to unnecessary side effects.
• With short-term usage of sleep medications comes next-day impairment risks, which include the consequences of using the pill for a short time, which causes drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired cognitive and motor function for a few days after stopping the medication.
• When you use sleeping pills for a short period, it increases the chances of interactions with other medicines that you are currently taking, which not only interferes with the effectiveness of the pills but can potentially cause severe symptoms.

Long-Term Use of Sleep Medications

Most sleep aids are not meant for long-term use. To treat sleep disorders effectively, you need to combine sleep aids with practical steps, such as improving sleep hygiene, that can garner positive outcomes on sleep schedules without relying on sleep medications for a long time. Most sleep aids contain antihistamines and can potentially cause dependency, increasing the tolerance. Hence, the longer you take them, the less likely they will make you sleepy. Listed below are some of the pros and cons of using sleep aids for long duration:

Pros

• If you have severe insomnia, your doctor can suggest you take sleeping pills for an extended period. However, it's only safe if you follow the doctor's instructions and guidelines.
• For chronic insomnia and persistent sleep issues, taking sleep medications for the long term under medical supervision can help treat the condition for the better.
• Long-term usage of sleep medications can improve sleep quality, increase the depth of your sleep, and reduce night awakenings.

Cons

• Potential Side Effects: Using sleeping medication for an extended time comes with unnecessary side effects like daytime drowsiness, dizziness, memory problems, and impaired coordination. Additionally, some individuals may experience dizziness and balance problems, increasing the risk of falls or accidents.
• Developing Tolerance and Dependence: Prolonged use of sleeping pills may result in tolerance, meaning that you will need to take higher dosages of the same pill to reach the same therapeutic effect over time. This way, you will potentially become dependent on the medicine to fall asleep, finding it difficult to function without the medication.
• Risk of Overdose: Since most sleep aids like benzodiazepines, melatonin receptors, and non-benzodiazepines create a sedative-hypnotic effect for treating insomnia and inducing drowsiness, it is also linked with an increased risk of overdose. Taking higher doses than prescribed and combining them with alcohol or other medication heightens these risks.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Abrupt discontinuation of certain types of sleeping pills after long-term use can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as rebound insomnia or anxiety. Hence, you need to ask your doctor to take the dosage to wean off the medication easily.
• Cognitive Impairment: Cognitive impairment may occur, leading to difficulties with memory and concentration. Daytime drowsiness can also be a common side effect, impacting alertness and productivity during waking hours.

Conclusion

In general, sleeping medications are effective short-term solutions for occasional insomnia or jetlag. You should remember that sleep medications are not treatments for insomnia but rather can work to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia for a short period. Extending the use of certain sleeping medications beyond their prescription period may lead to dependency or addiction, which are mostly accompanied by unnecessary side effects. Hence, it is crucial for individuals considering the use of sleeping pills to consult a healthcare specialist and seek personal guidance based on their specific needs and conditions.