The increase in the use of sleep medication in the UK over the last few years is a result of the growing concern over sleep disorders, and the use of medication to treat them. There has been an increased awareness by the public on sleep disorders and their effects on health. Public awareness through the media, health promotion, and education from healthcare practitioners have educated people about sleep disorders.
This has led to more people seeking for solutions, including sleep aids. Modern challenges like work-related stress, financial issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused an increase in sleep disorders. Consequently, many individuals have resorted to the use of medication in order to overcome their sleep problems and enhance their well-being.
Why People Choose Strong Sleeping Tablets
Sleep disorders affect a significant portion of the UK’s population. Many people in the UK have problems with the duration and quality of their sleep. It is necessary to turn to different studies and surveys in order to get an idea of how widespread it is. A study carried out by the National Sleep Foundation showed that about 20% of adults suffer from insomnia at least once a week.
The present research reveals that sleep disturbances are common, and call for proper intervention measures. The ONS has found out that about 13% of the adults in the UK have consulted a doctor regarding sleep disorders, which include insomnia. Many people take sleeping tablets UK for this condition.
Side Effects
Although useful for the treatment of sleep disorders, sleeping tablets UK may come with various side effects. The most frequent side effect is drowsiness, which may last until the following day, and affect driving or operating heavy machinery. Users may also develop cognitive problems such as memory loss and confusion, making them unable to perform their daily activities and make decisions.
Other side effects include dizziness and problems with coordination. Some people may experience vertigo, and feel light-headed or prone to falls. Other side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea.
Potential Interactions
Sleeping tablets UK may interact with a number of substances, which may result in side effects or changes in efficacy. When sleep medicine is taken together with alcohol, the sedative effects are greatly magnified. This may lead to excessive sleepiness, poor coordination, and slow and shallow breathing. This combination is considered to be unsafe, and is usually not recommended.
Combining sleep aids with other CNS depressants including benzodiazepines, opioids or muscle relaxants raises the risk of sedation complications. This can include excessive daytime sleepiness, confusion and respiratory problems. This may cause more side effects or less efficacy of strong sleeping tablets.
Storage of Medication
Proper storage sleeping tablets UK is crucial to avoid compromising the efficacy and safety of the medicine. Medications should be stored as recommended by the manufacturer, which is usually written on the label or on the container. The majority of drugs should be kept at the room temperature, which ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Temperature fluctuations, particularly high temperatures, are capable of impacting the stability of the medication. There are some medicines that should be stored in a refrigerator, such as some types of insulin. These should be stored at a temperature of 2-8 °C (36-46 °F). Nevertheless, these medications should not be frozen.
The More You Know
It is imperative that you learn about sleeping tablets UK and your condition, to enable you to manage the situation and improve your health. Knowledge of these aspects enables one to make the right decisions, follow the prescribed treatment regime, and avoid adverse effects. Understanding the medication and condition enables you to make informed decisions about your treatment.
This includes knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the medication that has been prescribed to you, and how the medication is going to work. If one knows why a particular medication is given and how it works in the body, then he or she is more likely to follow the recommended strong sleeping tablets treatment plan.
Shop Safely Online
It is always wise to seek advice from a doctor before purchasing any sleeping tablets UK online, to ensure that the medicine is suitable for your condition. Stay away from websites that provide you with prescription drugs without a prescription from a qualified doctor. A genuine online pharmacy will demand a prescription for prescription drugs, and will have a licensed pharmacist to consult with.
Avoid online pharmacies that sell medication at cheaper prices compared to local drugstores. Although discounts may be real, very low prices may be an indication of fake or low quality drugs. Check the strong sleeping tablets prices with other local pharmacies, and avoid offers that look to good to be true.
Summary
Sleeping tablets UK are useful in the short-term treatment of insomnia when other treatments have not worked. However, their use is associated with certain risks and side effects that must be well controlled. Sleep aids should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor, and the doctor should monitor the condition of the patient to avoid any complications.
Although sleep medication can be extremely helpful in the management of insomnia, they do not solve the root causes of the problem. Thus, they should be used as an adjunct to other treatments such as dietary changes, behavioural interventions, and treatment of any coexisting medical or psychiatric disorders.
About the Author
Dr Emily Roberts is a professional pharmacist from London who has valuable experience in the sphere of sleep medicine and the correct usage of sleeping tablets UK. She earned her BPharm from the University of London, and her PharmD from the University of Nottingham.
Dr Roberts is also a registered member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), and is certified in sleep disorders and psychopharmacology. Dr Roberts has practiced for more than 10 years in the field of sleep medicine, and has vast experience in the treatment of sleep disorders. Contact her at Linkedin and follow her on Twitter.
Learn more about sleeping tablets UK at sleepfaster.co.uk.