Introduction
In the United States alone, more than 58% of the population are affected by sleep problems such as insomnia. It is, by definition, “difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep”, and is usually a symptom of a deeper physical or psychological issue. Restlessness can be caused by a number of things, from poor sleeping habits and quality of sleep, to brain disorders and injuries that affect the portion of the brain responsible for initiating sleep. Short-term treatment for insomnia and other symptoms of sleep disorders usually involve sedatives, such as Ambien.
What is Ambien?
Ambien is a sedative that falls under the category of “sleep medicine”. It is a fast acting drug that is designed to help you
fall asleep immediately. The quick-release version of Ambien features a tablet with two layers, the first of which dissolves
quickly to initiate sleep, while the second dissolves slowly to assist you in maintaining it. It takes effect around 15 minutes from ingestion and passes from the body in approximately 2-3 hours.
Ambien Side Effects, Dosage, and Treatment
Some of the more common Ambien side effects include:
* Vomiting
* Anterograde Amnesia
* Short-term memory loss
* Hallucinations
* Headaches
* Ataxia, or Dizziness
Additionally, some people have reported cases of sleepwalking while under the influence of Ambien. This leads to concerns about their safety, since they are unaware of what they are doing, and there has already been one reported death due to Ambien-induced sleepwalking. Ambien is prescribed by doctors, who then calculate the dosage based on a number of factors, such as patient age and the medications they are currently taking. The recommended Ambien dosage is 10 mg daily, taken once a day, immediately before bed. The Ambien dosage may be lowered to 5 mg daily if the patient is taking other medications such as those that treat brain disorders.
Restlessness is one of many Sleeping problems often seen as both a sign and a symptom of an underlying physical or psychological problem and possibly a component of brain problems. It is often characterized as a persistent difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or having sleep that is of poor quality. There are three different classifications of sleeplessness, ranging from minor to severe.
The first is known as transient sleeplessness and lasts less than a week. It can be caused by other Sleep disorders, depression, or stress. The consequences, such as daytime sleepiness and impaired motor function, are similar to that of sleep deprivation.
Next, is acute sleeplessness, which lasts for less than a month and difficulty sleeping persists, despite having adequate time and opportunity to sleep. These consequences in this form of sleeplessness are more pronounced due to the increased severity of sleep deprivation.
Finally, the last classification is chronic sleeplessness. This lasts for more than a month and is usually accompanied by another sleep disorder or condition. It is common in people with extremely high levels of stress and carries more severe consequences, such as hallucinations, mental fatigue, and double vision.
Treatment for sleeplessness most often consists of sedatives, like Ambien. However, these are intended to be short-term solutions only, as they have a tendency to cause physical dependence when used over time. Conversely, this can also result in withdrawal symptoms if there is a sudden decrease in usage or if the patient stops taking it completely.
Conclusion
More effective long-term treatments for Sleeping Problems involve treating the underlying cause of sleeplessness, as well as teaching sufferers to control all of the environmental factors that interfere with sleep. Studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves changing the way that patients think about sleeplessness, is more effective than hypnotic medication.