Are Sleeping Pills Dangerous For The Elderly?

Yes sleeping pills can prove dangerous for elders especially when they are taken over a long period of time; this was the reply of a doctor in New York known to me. Though sleeping pills are prescribed by doctors for a short period of time many elders do not stop it until it becomes both physically and psychologically addictive. It is best to first know why elders have sleeping problems.   

Reasons why elders face sleeping problems:

There could be many reasons for it; the important ones being age-related sleeplessness, napping throughout the day, worry, depression, pain from chronic illness and frequent need to urinate at night. It could be any one or more of these reasons, with the doctor being the most ideal person to  analyze the root cause of sleeping disturbances, before he decides to hand over sleeping pills to the elder.

Doctors could employ pain management treatments instead of sleeping pills to treat sleeplessness that is due to pain from chronic illness; this rarely happens in actual practice due to medical regulations and lack of effective communication between the doctor and the elder.

Dangers of sleeping pills in elders: 

Sleeping pills are not inherently dangerous in the short term except that they create adverse effects like nightmares, sleep walking, sleep talking, and sleepiness throughout the day; however they are more detrimental to an elder’s physical and mental health when taken over a long period of time. Elders may turn dependent on the sleeping pills and may find it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep on their own.

In addition elders may develop various side effects when sleeping pills are taken with other medications as well as alcohol. Proving to be dangerous, sleeping pills taken along with alcohol could travel from the blood stream to the brain. Also some of the sleeping pills do not mix well with other medications that the elder takes; hence it is essential to talk to your doctor before starting on any sleeping pill.

Falls are the inherent risk of those that take sleeping pills regularly and sleep walk frequently and have to use the restroom often at night. These pills not only depress the central nervous system, but also lead to a decreased sense of balance. Overuse of sleeping pills due to duplication in elders with memory loss could also be detrimental to health.

Preventing dangers of sleeping pills: 

Avoiding the dangers of sleeping pills can be best done by making lifestyle changes like avoiding naps during the day, exercising every day and avoiding caffeine and sugary foods. It would help to find alternative ways to fall and stay asleep. It is best to take sleeping pills for a short time and then allow the body to follow its clock. It would also help to not mix sleeping pills with alcohol and avoid taking large amount of liquids at night before sleeping to avoid frequent urination.

Finally elders should make sure they follow the instructions of the doctor and take sleeping pills in the prescribed dose to prevent incredibly dangerous side effects. 

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