Treatment
Sleep aids
Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (e.g. Nytol and Nytol One-a-Night) and promethazine (e.g. Sominex) can help with the treatment of insomnia. They help promote sleep through their sedative properties.[1] These drugs pass across the blood-brain-barrier and act on histamine receptors in the brain to cause feelings of drowsiness.[16] They are useful in the short-term relief of temporary sleep disturbances in people over 16 years, and are generally well-tolerated and non-habit forming.[17]
Herbal sleeping aids have also been shown to have some positive effects when it comes to treating sleep disturbances.[1,6] Examples include passiflora (e.g. Nytol Night Time Herbal Sleep Aid) and valerian (e.g. Kalms).[1,6] Herbal sleep aids work through the promotion of calmness and natural sleep.[18]
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies that promote relaxation may prove beneficial in treating sleep disturbances. Massage and aromatherapy can promote feelings of overall calm and relaxation which, in turn, help tackle insomnia caused by anxiety or worry. Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy and clinical trials have suggested that it can improve the duration of sleep.[6,15] Hypnotherapy is also occasionally used to treat insomnia.[6]
Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (e.g. Nytol and Nytol One-a-Night) and promethazine (e.g. Sominex) can help with the treatment of insomnia. They help promote sleep through their sedative properties.[1] These drugs pass across the blood-brain-barrier and act on histamine receptors in the brain to cause feelings of drowsiness.[16] They are useful in the short-term relief of temporary sleep disturbances in people over 16 years, and are generally well-tolerated and non-habit forming.[17]
Herbal sleeping aids have also been shown to have some positive effects when it comes to treating sleep disturbances.[1,6] Examples include passiflora (e.g. Nytol Night Time Herbal Sleep Aid) and valerian (e.g. Kalms).[1,6] Herbal sleep aids work through the promotion of calmness and natural sleep.[18]
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies that promote relaxation may prove beneficial in treating sleep disturbances. Massage and aromatherapy can promote feelings of overall calm and relaxation which, in turn, help tackle insomnia caused by anxiety or worry. Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy and clinical trials have suggested that it can improve the duration of sleep.[6,15] Hypnotherapy is also occasionally used to treat insomnia.[6]
<PRACTICE POINT 1>
What questions would you ask a person who wants to buy sleep aids?
Discuss your answer with your colleague.
<PRACTICE POINT 2>
What products would you recommend to the following sufferers of insomnia:
- An elderly lady who has just moved into the area after the death of her husband. She has just handed in a prescription for beta blockers.
- A woman who works full time and looks after her four children. She never stops!
- A man who does shift work.