Insomnia is a serious condition associated with difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep.
Have you ever spent several nights in a row tossing and turning and not being able to fall asleep? Everyone has an occasional time when sleep is difficult. Maybe you’re stressed out about work or family issues or maybe you just can’t seem to relax enough to get the sleep that you need or you may have a medical condition which is causing sleep disturbances. Insomnia is when the lack of sleep is prolonged or interrupted over three nights a week for a month or longer.
Do you suffer from insomnia?
Several of the symptoms of insomnia are:
- Fatigue during the day
- Overall sleepiness
- Issues with brain fogginess or difficulty remembering things
- General irritability
If you suspect that you are suffering from insomnia, it is important for you to contact your doctor to discuss your symptoms. Your medical professional may request some routine tests and blood work to determine if there is a medical cause for your sleep interruptions. It is important for you to tell your doctor about all stressors and life situations which may also be impacting your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
After reviewing your medical history, your doctor may prescribe a prescription drug to aid you getting a complete night’s sleep. Some of the common prescription medications for insomnia are:
| Brand | Generic |
| Ambien | Zolpidem |
| Belsomra | Suvorexant |
| Lunesta | Eszopiclone |
| Rozerem | Ramelteon |
| Sonata | Zaleplon |
| Silenor | Doxepine |
| Other Medicinal Options: | |
| Benzodiazepines | |
| Antidepressants | |
| Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids | |
Each of these prescription drugs treats a different symptom of insomnia, so it is important to tell your medical professional about exactly what your symptoms are — do you have a difficult time falling asleep and then sleep all night or do you fall asleep easily and wake up in the middle of the night? These are some examples that are important for your doctor to know about your insomnia symptoms.
Over-the-counter medication may be the best alternative for you which may also be prescribed by your doctor. Some of those over-the–counter sleep aids contain an antihistamine to promote sleep. Remember to follow your medical professional’s advice about your prescription drugs and follow up with them if your symptoms continue.
Here are a few sleep tips to aid your sleep:
Sleep Routine:
Go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time. Your body becomes accustomed to a schedule and begins to get sleepy around the same time. This gives your body a signal it is time to rest and relax.
Keep the TV out of your bedroom:
It is easy to fall into the routine of going to sleep with the TV on, however; oftentimes the TV is a stimulant and not a relaxant. If you need a routine for falling to sleep, try soothing music or a sound machine to listen to as you lie in bed. Set a timer that will go off after 15-20 minutes, which will allow your body time to relax and unwind.
Set Your Worries Aside:
When stress from work or family issues is keeping you from the rest you need, take those stressors and put them on an imaginary shelf until the morning. Sometimes if you visualize actually taking those concerns and putting them on a shelf to deal with later can help you separate from those concerns knowing that you will tackle them in the morning.
These tips and any appropriate prescription drugs for aiding your sleep prescribed by your medical professional may help you get the required sleep that you need to restore yourself and be ready for your next day.
For more tips on getting a better night’s sleep, read our blog 7 Ways to Improve Sleeping Habits & Get Better Sleep.
Prescription Solutions for Insomnia
Finding cost-effective solutions for your insomnia can be difficult. If you are uninsured or under-insured you may be paying more than you need to for medications like Ambien, Lunesta or other antidepressants, such as, Cymbalta at your local pharmacy.
Our free prescription drug card can help alleviate the high cost of sleep aids or antidepressant prescriptions. Simply download, email, print or text our card at EasyDrugCard.com and begin saving on your prescriptions at your favorite pharmacy. The card works like a coupon providing discounts on all prescription medications. Use our pharmacy locator and drug pricing tools to find the best price near you.
Remember sleep is critical for your overall well-being!
