In today’s complex and hectic world, more and more people are experiencing sleep disorders. Overfatigue, an excess of impressions and information, professional problems and family troubles, fears and illnesses – there are many causes of insomnia, far from all of them people can eliminate. In this case, medicines come to the rescue. There are many drugs to combat sleep disorders, among them there are those that are available without a prescription.
Sleep and sleeping pills
Sleep is the most important part of our life, without which it is impossible to maintain the body in a healthy state. It is necessary not only for rest and restoration of human strength – during sleep the most important processes occur: the immune system activates its activity, the brain processes the information received per day, and metabolic processes normalize. Therefore, insomnia, especially if it lasts long enough, is fraught not only with deterioration in working capacity and poor health during the day, but also with the development of serious diseases.
Sleep disorders can have various manifestations: difficulty falling asleep, early or nocturnal awakenings with the inability to fall asleep again, intermittent restless sleep. In case of prolonged insomnia, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will determine its causes and prescribe appropriate treatment, including, inter alia, the appointment of sleeping pills. If sleep problems are not systematic, you can try to cope with them without potent drugs that are available only by prescription and often have serious side effects, including, in particular, the formation of dependence.
Drugs for insomnia can be divided into the following groups:
- sleeping pills based on chemicals prescribed by your doctor (zolpidem, zopiclone);
- tranquilizers with hypnotic effect (phenazepam, diazepam), most of them are also dispensed only by prescription;
- synthetic over-the-counter drugs;
- herbal medicines.
Chemical Based Medicines
So, if insomnia has not acquired a systematic nature, you can try to establish a dream with the help of over-the-counter drugs. Their distinctive feature is the lack of addiction and dependence. The most effective drugs in this group include:
MELAXEN
The active substance of the drug is melatonin, which is synthesized in the human body. Sleep hormone, as it is often called, regulates circadian rhythms, facilitates falling asleep, and helps the body adapt when changing time zones or other forced violation of the daily regimen. Improves the quality of sleep, while not causing drowsiness after waking up. It is generally well tolerated. Suitable for seniors.
DONORMIL
An antihistamine used only as a sleeping pill. It is made in the form of tablets, dissolved in water. This form makes the process of falling asleep faster, contributes to deep and long sleep. Side effects may include dry mouth, palpitations, and drowsiness after waking up. Designed for people under 65 years old.
CORVALOL
Contain phenobarbital, a substance with sedative, anticonvulsant and hypnotic effects. The components that make up these drugs (peppermint oil, ethyl ester of alpha-bromisovalerianic acid) enhance the hypnotic effect. Being widespread agents, however, they have a number of unpleasant side effects and, with prolonged use, can form dependence.
GLYCINE
Like melatonin, it is produced by the body itself and is not a foreign substance for it. Available in the form of tablets that must be absorbed under the tongue. An insignificant hypnotic effect is achieved by enhancing the processes of inhibition in the central nervous system, relieving muscle tension, sedative and anti-anxiety effects of the drug. In addition, it is believed that glycine improves the functioning of the brain, the vegetovascular system, and activates metabolic processes. However, this effect of glycine has not received proper scientific confirmation. Suitable for all age categories.
AFOBAZOL
A mild tranquilizer that eliminates feelings of anxiety and fear. Relieving stress and calming the nervous system, helps to normalize sleep. It is especially effective for people of asthenic warehouse, suspicious, insecure. Low toxicity.
Herbal preparations i
It is possible to deal with sleep disorders with the help of natural remedies – plants that have sleeping pills and soothing effects on the body, or preparations made on their basis. The most famous plants with these properties include the following:
VALERIAN
It has an antispasmodic, sedative and soft hypnotic effect. Used crushed dried root with rhizomes of the plant in the form of a decoction. You can also use valerian extract in the form of tablets, alcohol tincture of the plant, tea bags .
DESERT TINCTURE
Calming, reducing blood pressure and improving heart function. The hypnotic effect is achieved due to the above properties of the plant. You can use an infusion of herbs, alcohol tincture.
Hawthorn tincture
The well-known beneficial effect of hawthorn preparations on the heart and blood vessels is complemented by their ability to calm the nervous system and relieve spasms. These properties help relieve stress and improve sleep. Release form: tincture, tablets, flowers and fruits for preparation of infusion or broth.
Chamomile
Anti-inflammatory, mild antispasmodic and sedative. Use dry raw materials for infusion or ready-made tea bags.
Hop
Hop cones have long been used to improve sleep. To do this, a pillow stuffed with the fruits of the plant is placed at the head of the bed. It is not worth it to prepare drinks for oral administration on your own because of the rather high toxicity of the plant.
Herbs with sleeping pills are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of drugs against insomnia. The best effect is possessed by means, which include several similar plants, due to which their effect on the body is enhanced.
Novo-Passit
The drug, which includes valerian, lemon balm, hops, hawthorn and other plant components. It has a sedative, anti-anxiety and hypnotic effect. Exists in the form of syrup and tablets.
PERSEN
The composition of the drug (valerian, lemon balm and mint) provides a calming, antispasmodic, as well as a mild hypnotic effect. Release form: capsules.
PHYTOSEDAN No. 3 (SOOTHING COLLECTION No. 3)
A mixture of dried and crushed various parts of plants (valerian, motherwort, melilot and others). It is used for insomnia, neurosis and neurosis-like conditions, migraine, vegetovascular dystonia, in the initial stages of hypertension. Available in packs of 50 or 100 g, as well as in filter bags for brewing tea.
Some tips for improving sleep quality
In addition to medicines, a person’s behavior in the evening should also contribute to the normalization of sleep. To effectively combat insomnia, according to experts, it is necessary:
- go to bed at the same time;
- find the cause of poor sleep (stress, light, noise, etc.) and try to eliminate it;
- before going to bed do not engage in mental or active physical activity;
- limit sitting in front of the computer in the evening (the screen light stimulates the brain);
- do not overeat before bedtime;
- instead of drinks containing caffeine, drink herbal teas in the evening;
- use natural sleeping pills (warm milk with honey, oatmeal, pasta, bread, poultry, eggs, beans, bananas, nuts, dried fruits).