Alcohol and Insomnia

Alcohol and Insomnia Facts

Many people suffer from insomnia at least one time in their lives. This sleep problem is very common but a chronic condition of this sleep disorder can cause various problems. Insomnia is a condition in which ones have difficulty in falling or staying asleep. Some people often get frustrated because suffering from insomnia for a long time. Because of it, they take sleeping pills without prescription to fall and stay asleep. Some people even drink alcohol to help them sleep. The fact is that alcohol and insomnia do not go hand in hand.

Facts about alcohol and insomnia

People with chronic insomnia often drink alcohol to get some sleep. They think that alcohol will help them fall asleep faster and have deeper sleep longer. It is true that the sedative effect of this drink can promote sleep quickly. But it will not help them to stay asleep. Based on a study, people who drink alcohol at bed time will fall asleep faster than taking no alcohol. They will have deep sleep for the first half of the night. However, at the second half of the night, they will likely to wake up and have difficulty in staying asleep. Alcohol usually promotes more vivid dreams. It is also diuretic. It means, you will likely wake up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet. After waking up because of a dream or a need to go to the toilet, you will get difficulty in falling asleep again. Another fact about trying to fall asleep using alcohol is that the effect will wear off.

After drinking alcohol at bedtime continuously, it will take more time for people with insomnia to fall asleep. They will also get more difficulty to sleep again once they wake up in the middle of the night. The disruptive night will also make them suffer from sleepiness and fatigue during the day. Using alcohol as sleeping aid is not suggested. It will disrupt the sleep homeostasis. It is sleep regulating mechanism in the body. It regulates how much hours of sleep and wakefulness one need. People who drink alcohol regularly in moderate amount will have disrupted sleep. They will likely wake up early and need less sleep.

How to treat insomnia

Prolonged lack of sleep can cause various side effects. Some of them are increased risk of accidents, low concentrating ability, and extreme daytime sleepiness. That’s why it is important to treat your insomnia and get enough sleep every night. One of the steps to get rid of insomnia is that by changing your lifestyle. Doing exercise regularly will help you fall and stay asleep. However, you must not do it a couple hours before bedtime. Another thing that must be done is that avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine before bed. Setting regular sleeping and waking hour is important. Making your bedroom feel comfortable is also important. Set the temperature and light of your bedroom to your preference.

In certain cases, changing your lifestyle and sleeping habit is not enough. You may need to follow a certain therapy so that you are more relaxed and calm at bed time. If you want to take sleeping pills, consult it to your doctor first because there are some side effects from these pills.