Those who take pills to deal with insomnia have a reason to worry, as these drugs might prove harmful for your health in the long run.
As per research, eight out of 10 cases of insomnia were caused by underlying health problems, either physical or mental. And these problems need to be addressed, says the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Treating sleeplessness without addressing its root cause was potentially dangerous. Asthma, heart disease, anxiety or depression could be reasons behind the sleeplessness, the society said.
As a part of the study, survey of 2,077 adults was done. The study found 51 percent of insomniacs had bought over-the-counter sleeping remedies without seeking advice from a qualified physician. Three in 10 said they had taken them for more than a month without a doctor’s prescription. And a further 14 per cent said that they have taken the medicine for over six months, reports The Telegraph.
Paul Johnson, a community pharmacist, said: "It's worrying that so many people are over-using sleeping remedies. They can be effective for short-term treatment of mild insomnia but should not be taken for long periods without advice because they can hide a serious health problem which could get worse if it remains untreated."
He further added that one can take a better sleep by following simple advice that include going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evenings, and eating heavily late.
--with inputs from IANS
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