Women’s Increased Use and Frequency of Sleeping Pills
Many doctors are beginning to question whether women’s reliance on sleeping pills is a better option than sleep deprivation.
Dr. Danielle Martin, family physician and vice-president of medical affairs at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, is less likely to write a prescription for a sleeping pill than to suggest changing coping skills. She believes long-term changes like meditation, mindfulness training, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and finding time to exercise are more effective long-term solutions than sleeping pills.
The Side Effects of Sleeping Pills
Dr. Martin will write a short-term prescription for someone who is dealing with a circumstance that has a fixed amount of time. She will not write a prescription for women with sleep problems due to life circumstances that are not going to change anytime soon. She reminds women that sleeping pills are potentially addictive substances, with strong side effects. With repeated use, patients will develop a tolerance and require more to achieve the same effect. With greater doses, the side effects will also be greater, and these can include daytime sedation, confusion or drowsiness.
How a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help
Naturopathic medicine is a great option for women who have sleeping problems due to everyday challenges. There are common nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances that can cause sleeplessness and are often overlooked. A naturopath will take into consideration many systems of the body in order to properly assess where an individual’s deeper cause for sleeplessness is. Naturopaths will often look at processes in a woman’s immune system nervous system, and metabolic systems in order to suggest certain natural substances or lifestyle changes.
What is Causing Your Sleeplessness?
There are some common signs that can help you to distinguish what may be causing your sleeplessness.
- Hormonal Imbalance
Hormone Imbalance may be the cause of your sleeplessness if your energy is low in the afternoon but picks up around 9-10 pm and you are unable to sleep.
- Your Nervous System
Your nervous system may need to be addressed if you are awake in the middle of the night with worrisome thoughts running through your head.
- Improper Blood Sugar Balance
Improper blood sugar balance may be causing you to wake up if you sleep soundly for the first half of the night then wake up a few hours before your alarm goes off.
Naturopath’s prescription for sleeplessness will typically produce far less concerning side effects than sleeping pills and result in effective and longer lasting results.
Overusing sleeping pills can be avoided. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or come in to see our Naturopath Dr. Gudrun.
