If you have trouble falling asleep or maintaining your sleep cycle, you’re not alone. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) says that up to 20% of Americans suffer from insomnia at any given time, which costs the country an estimated $63 billion in lost productivity every year! But there are safe and effective ways to help you get the rest you need; learn more about how Ambien works and what it can do to help you with your insomnia here.
What is insomnia?
Sometimes called sleeplessness, insomnia is a chronic medical condition where an individual has trouble sleeping and/or staying asleep for at least one month. This can cause reduced energy, irritability, poor concentration, depression and other physical conditions caused by not sleeping well. Fortunately, there are medications available to help people with sleep disorders like insomnia get a good night’s rest. One of these medications is ambien.
What causes insomnia?
If you’re struggling with insomnia, you may have a hard time falling asleep or waking up too early in the morning. The main cause of insomnia is getting too little sleep over time. Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Another common cause of insomnia is taking certain medications, particularly pain relievers and antidepressants that are known to disrupt sleep patterns. Other reasons for sleeplessness include stress, drinking alcohol at night and not exercising enough during your day.
How common is insomnia?
According to a study conducted by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, around 30% of American adults report having occasional insomnia or other sleep problems. In fact, insomnia is so common that it has been found to contribute to serious issues like high blood pressure and stroke. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also stated that insomnia affects millions of Americans every year, leading to billions in health care costs per year due to lost productivity.
Do I have insomnia?
Millions of people suffer from insomnia. Many are too embarrassed to talk about it, but rest assured that they are not alone. The condition is also known as sleeplessness or insufficient sleep syndrome and occurs when you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through out your sleeping hours.
How does Ambien help?
When you have trouble sleeping, medicine is an excellent treatment option. There are many kinds of medicine that can be used to help induce sleep, including prescription and over-the-counter options. One particularly effective prescription medication is Ambien (zolpidem). When you take Ambien (zolpidem), it travels to your brain, affects chemicals in your body that promote sleepiness, and helps you fall asleep faster.
Why consider an alternative to Ambien?
There are several reasons to try non-drowsy sleeping pills. For one, they tend to be less addictive than their prescription counterparts, making them a more convenient option if you’re worried about building up a tolerance or becoming dependent on sleep aids. In addition, they’re more likely to help you get into a natural sleep cycle without leaving you groggy and unfocused in the morning.
Alternatives to prescription sleeping pills like Ambien
Many people, after taking Ambien, report that they feel groggy or out of it when they wake up. These side effects make it harder to go to work or function throughout your day. If you’re looking for a safer alternative to prescription sleeping pills like Ambien, try natural sleep aids like melatonin and GABA. Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by your body at night, can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer without causing drowsiness in the morning.