Help for Trouble Sleeping

Insomnia is a common condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleep that is not restful. Persons affected by insomnia also experience less than optimal functioning during the daytime due to lack of quality sleep. Falling asleep may take longer than a half-hour, and sleep may last only six hours or less per night several nights per week, although nightly sleep requirements vary from person to person. Traveling, stress, and pain can all lead to difficulty with sleep.

A regular sleep schedule, regular exercise, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol during the afternoon and evening are components of good sleep behavior. Behavioral therapy can be used in combination with medications for insomnia. Treating insomnia can also benefit other existing conditions that may be negatively influenced by inadequate sleep, such as depression. Benzodiazepines, including lorazepam (Ativan) and triazolam (Halcion), decrease the time it takes to fall asleep and also may help prolong sleep duration. Zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta) are all nonbenzodiazepines that may be prescribed for insomnia. These last medications bind to the GABA-A receptor, which leads to the sedative effects of the medications.