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Bipolar treatment generally involves taking medications and going to mental health counseling (psychotherapy) — whether you have bipolar I or bipolar II. Both bipolar I and bipolar II disorders have several subtypes.

The types and doses of medications prescribed are based on your particular symptoms. Medications may include:
•Mood stabilizers. Whether you have bipolar I or II, you’ll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control manic episodes. With bipolar I, unmanaged manic episodes can lead to irrational thinking, inappropriate decisions, and dangerous or out-of-control behavior. A less severe type of mania (hypomania) occurs with bipolar II, but it can still cause problems. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
•Antipsychotics. If symptoms of depression or mania persist in spite of treatment with other medications, adding an antipsychotic medication such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon) or asenapine (Saphris) may help. Your doctor may prescribe some of these medications alone or along with a mood stabilizer.
•Antidepressants. For either type of bipolar disorder, a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic alone may be enough to control depression. If not, your doctor may add an antidepressant. Because an antidepressant can sometimes trigger a manic episode, it’s usually prescribed along with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic. Examples of antidepressants used for bipolar disorder include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil) and bupropion (Wellbutrin).

In addition to medication for bipolar disorder, other treatment approaches include:
•Mental health counseling (psychotherapy). As a key part of treatment, your doctor may recommend individual, group or family counseling.
•Substance abuse treatment. According to a national survey, about half of people with bipolar disease also abuse alcohol, significantly increasing the risk of life-threatening complications. If you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs, tell your doctor so this can be part of your treatment plan.
•Hospital treatment. This can include an inpatient hospital stay or participation in an outpatient treatment program. Because bipolar I is generally more severe than bipolar II, the need for urgent outpatient treatment or hospitalization is more common with bipolar I.
•Lifestyle changes. Successful management of your bipolar disorder includes living a healthier lifestyle, such as getting more sleep, eating healthier and getting more physical activity. If you need help in these areas, ask your doctor for advice.

You may need to try different medications or combinations of medications to determine what works best. So it’s important to regularly meet with your doctor to see how well your treatment is working. If necessary, your doctor may make periodic adjustments to your medication to keep symptoms and side effects under control.

If you’re regularly having trouble either falling or staying asleep (insomnia), make an appointment with your doctor. Treatment is available — but it depends on what’s causing your insomnia. Sometimes, an underlying medical or sleep disorder can be found and treated, a much more effective approach than just treating the symptom of insomnia itself.

Behavior changes learned through cognitive behavioral therapy are generally the best treatment for persistent insomnia. However, there are times when prescription sleeping pills may be helpful. Although sleeping pills don’t treat the underlying cause of your sleeping problems, they may help you get some much needed rest.

Today’s prescription sleeping pills don’t carry the same level of risks of dependence and overdoses as sleeping pills of the past. But risks remain — especially for people who have certain medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease. Always talk with your doctor before trying a new treatment for insomnia.

Here’s information on some of the most common types of sleeping pills used today.

Types of prescription sleeping pills

Prescription sleeping pills are available to help you fall asleep easier, stay asleep longer — or both. Before prescribing a medication to help you sleep, your doctor will ask you a number of questions to get a clear picture of your sleep patterns. He or she may also order tests to rule out any underlying conditions that may be causing difficulty sleeping.

To reduce the risk of side effects and of becoming reliant on drugs to sleep, your doctor likely will prescribe medications for two to four weeks. If the first medication you take doesn’t work after the full prescribed course, call your doctor. You may need to try more than one prescription sleeping pill before finding one that works for you.

Some prescription sleeping pills are available as generic drugs, which are typically less expensive than are brand-name drugs. Ask your doctor whether there is a generic version available of the medication he or she prescribes. Insurance companies may have restrictions on which sleeping pills are covered, and they may require that you try other approaches to your insomnia first.

Sleeping pills that help you fall asleep

The following prescription medications are used mainly to help you fall asleep.

Drugs that help you fall asleep

Drug May not be safe if you: Considerations
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, lung disease, or a condition that affects metabolism.
May be used for a longer period of time than zolpidem or zaleplon.

High-fat meals may slow your absorption of the drug and make it less effective.
Stopping the drug suddenly may cause symptoms of withdrawal, such as anxiety, unusual dreams, nausea and vomiting.
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Have a history of kidney or respiratory problems, sleep apnea, or depression.

Have a liver disease.

May interact with alcohol.

High-fat meals may slow your absorption of the drug and make it less effective.
A manufactured drug similar to melatonin. Not likely to be habit-forming.
Triazolam (Halcion)
Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Have a history of drug abuse, depression or respiratory conditions.
May interact with grapefruit juice, alcohol and many medications.

Can be habit-forming. Seldom prescribed by sleep specialists.
Drug must be stopped gradually.
Zaleplon (Sonata)
Have severe liver problems.

Are pregnant or breast feeding.
Have a history of depression, liver or kidney disease, or respiratory conditions.
May interact with other medications.

Can be habit-forming.

High-fat meals may slow your absorption of the drug and make it less effective.

Very short acting, so can be taken in the middle of the night following precautions from your doctor.

Zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar) Have a history of depression, liver or kidney disease, or respiratory conditions.
May become less effective over time.

Sleep behaviors, such as sleep-driving and sleep-eating may occur.

Sleeping pills that help you stay asleep

The following prescription medications are used to help you get to sleep and stay asleep.

Drugs that help you stay asleep

Drug May not be safe if you: Considerations
Estazolam Are pregnant, breast-feeding, or are an older adult.
May interact with many other medications.
Can be habit-forming.
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, lung disease, or a condition that affects metabolism.
High-fat meals may slow absorption of the drug and make it less effective.
Stopping the drug abruptly may cause symptoms of withdrawal such as anxiety, unusual dreams, nausea and vomiting.
Temazepam (Restoril)
Have a history of severe depression, substance abuse, lung disease, or kidney or liver problems.

Are pregnant or breast-feeding.

May interact with alcohol and many medications.
Can be habit-forming.
Zolpidem (Ambien CR)
Have a history of depression, liver or kidney disease, or respiratory conditions.

Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
This extended-release formula may be used for a longer period of time than regular zolpidem or zaleplon.
Doxepin (Silenor)
Have a history of glaucoma, trouble urinating (urinary retention) or heart disease. May cause weight gain.

Getting a good night’s rest can make or break your day, so it’s no wonder that millions of people have used sleeping pills at one time or another. But are these pills safe for use, especially when they are utilized regularly? In this article, we’ll go over the latest studies on sleeping pills and explain the possible health risks of using them.

Types Of Sleeping Pills

There are two main types of sleeping pills: over-the-counter and prescription medications. Over-the-counter sleeping pills are typically considered safe for occasional use. Most of these contain antihistamines to help induce a sleep feeling. However, they tend to be less effective the longer you take them. If you’re looking for more information on over-the-counter sleep aids, read Using A Melatonin Supplement As A Sleep Aid.

Prescription sleeping pills, on the other hand, come in many varieties and are tend to have a stronger effect. In addition, many people are more likely to become reliant on prescription sleeping pills as opposed to ones purchased over the counter. The following are some of the main types of drugs used to create prescription sleeping pills (common brand names are noted in parentheses):
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
Triazolam (Halcion)
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar)
Zaleplon (Sonata)
Estazolam
Temazepam (Restoril)
Doxepin (Silenor)

While certain prescription sleeping pills are intended to help you fall asleep, others are meant to help you stay asleep through the night. Talk to your doctor about your sleeping habits if you aren’t sure which type of pill would work better for you.

Possible Side Effects

When taking sleeping pills, it’s important to consider the possible symptoms which may result from taking those medications. The potential side effects of prescription sleeping pills include:
Dizziness
Headache
Allergic reaction
Memory and performance deficiency during the day
Extended sleepiness or drowsiness, also called “the hangover effect”
Sleep behaviors, like sleep-eating or sleep-driving
Gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea or nausea

Health Risks

It’s not just the side effects that you have to think about when taking sleeping pills. In fact, there are some potential long-term health risks that may make you think twice before using this type of medication.

Recently, some studies have found that sleeping pills appear to be linked to an increased risk of death. In fact, one study found that prescription sleeping pill users were about four times more likely to die than those who did not take prescription sleeping pills. This statistic applied even to those who were prescribed less than 20 pills per year. In addition, that same study found that those who were taking higher doses of sleeping pills were more likely to develop cancer.

While it’s important to keep in mind that these studies don’t prove that sleeping pills directly caused death or cancer, it’s something very important to think about before getting a prescription for these types of medications.

Tips For Safe Use

If you do wish to take sleeping pills despite the health risks, talk to your doctor to determine which prescription or over-the-counter product will work best for you. In addition, keep these tips for safe use in mind:
Stop taking sleeping pills gradually. If you’ve grown accustomed to taking sleeping pills regularly, then suddenly stopping may produce withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, nausea, vomiting or unusual dreams.
Avoid forming a habit. Try to take sleeping pills only when necessary. Many of the prescription drugs are habit-forming, and taking over-the-counter drugs regularly can lead to them becoming ineffective due to increased tolerance.
Avoid alcohol. Never drink alcohol when taking sleeping pills as this increases the sedative effects of the pills.
Don’t try other activities. Don’t attempt to do anything that requires alertness, such as driving, when taking sleeping pills.
Ask your doctor about conflicting health issues. People with certain health conditions are considered to be unsuitable for sleeping pill use. If you have asthma, liver problems, urinary retention, closed-angle glaucoma, depression, alcohol abuse issues, lung disease, kidney problems, respiratory problems, sleep apnea or are pregnant or breast-feeding, be sure to ask your doctor if sleeping pills are safe for you to take.

Alternatives

There are plenty of ways to get better sleep without using sleeping pills. For many people, the following tactics may help them to get a better night’s sleep without having to use medication:
Go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day to create a consistent schedule.
Don’t take naps unless you need them, and try not to nap after 3pm.
Avoid eating close to bed time; make sure all large meals are finished at least 2 hours before going to bed.
Don’t exercise within two hours of going to bed.
Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine about 4-6 hours before bedtime.
Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet; adjust the temperature to make yourself more comfortable in bed.
Try to create a bedtime routine where you do something quiet like read or listen to soothing music for about 30 minutes before going to sleep.
Try valerian supplements. However, keep in mind that these may have side effects like headaches or heart disturbances.

For more tips on how to get a better night’s rest, check out 6 Tips To Sleeping Better At Night.

Bottom Line

Sleeping pills can be an effective solution for occasional insomnia, but taking them regularly can result in a host of unpleasant side effects and health risks. Consider trying other methods to adjust your sleeping habits before turning to sleeping pills, and always talk to your doctor before taking any sleep-aid medications.

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Many people have problems sleeping from time to time, but a lot of people are uncertain of if they have a serious problem or when they should see a sleep specialist. Here we’ll provide all the essential information that people need to understand insomnia.

Definition

Insomnia is a disorder that makes it hard for people to fall asleep or stay asleep or both. People with insomnia can have problems functioning in everyday life, because insomnia can cause slowness in cognitive functions.

The amount of sleep that a person needs can vary from person to person. Most experts agree that adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. While many people can suffer from insomnia from time to time, some have chronic insomnia which requires medical intervention.

Those who are most at risk for developing long term insomnia are women, over the age of 60, travel frequently, have a mental health disorder, under a lot of stress and work rotating or night shifts.

Causes And Risk Factors

There are a number of causes of insomnia and most of them are very common. They include;
Stress- Everyday stress can cause insomnia. Work issues, family concerns, and even a traumatic event like a death in the family can cause insomnia.
Anxiety- Just like stress, anxiety over a variety of issues can lead to insomnia. Those with anxiety disorders frequently have insomnia as well.
Depression- One of the symptoms of depression is insomnia. The chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression can also cause problems with sleep. Insomnia can also be a symptom of other mental health problems as well.
Caffeine, Nicotine and Alcohol- Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can all cause insomnia. Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants which are known to cause insomnia. Alcohol may initially help someone sleep, but it prevents someone from reaching the deeper stages of sleep and could cause them to wake prematurely.
Medication side affects- Many medications used to treat depression, high blood pressure, asthma, ADHD, and allergies can cause insomnia because they have a stimulant affect. Many over-the-counter medications can cause insomnia as well. Antihistamines and over-the-counter sleeping pills can initially cause drowsiness, but can cause increased urination thereby waking people up in the middle of the night and then people can have difficulties getting back to sleep.
Other medical conditions- Many medical conditions can cause sleeping problems. Those with breathing problems, digestive problems, heart problems, urinary problems, cancer, and those with arthritis or other painful musculoskeletal conditions can have problems sleeping. These people can often find relief from their insomnia by treating the medical problem.
Poor sleep habits- Those with poor sleep habits can have problems sleeping. For example those that watch television late or fall asleep with the television on, children who play video games late in the evening, or those who work on the computer late in the evening can have problems falling asleep because these activities stimulate the brain and can keep the brain from shutting down for sleep.
Change in schedule or environment- those who travel for work or do shift work can suffer from insomnia as well. Trying to sleep in an unfamiliar environment, or when the environment is telling the body that it’s time to be awake can make sleeping difficult.
Eating late- a small snack before bed is fine, but those who eat large meals before bed may experience problems sleeping because when eating a large meal, the body has to digest that big meal and that can cause someone to be uncomfortable when they lie down and cause heartburn.
Aging- people seem to experience more insomnia as they age. There could be a number of reasons for this including increased use of medications, health problems and changes in daily activity.

Those with insomnia are at risk for developing a number of problems including;
Decreased performance at work and school
Higher risk of accidents due to slower reaction time
Psychiatric problems
Obesity
Poor overall health

Symptoms

The basic symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and waking in the morning not feeling rested. However there are other symptoms including;
Fatigue
Difficulty focusing
Headaches
Gastrointestinal problems
Ongoing sleep concerns

If someone experiences any of these symptoms they should talk to their doctor. Their doctor may order a sleep study to determine the nature of the problem and prescribe treatment.

Treatment

Treatment for insomnia includes behavior modification and prescription medications. Behavior modifications can include a number of things including changing daily habits to be more conducive to sleep at night, light therapy and even a type of therapy that uses controlled sleep deprivation designed to get the body’s sleep pattern back on track.

There are a number of prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications designed to treat insomnia. Most prescription sleep medications are not designed to be used for more than two weeks. There are some that are designed to be used indefinitely, but they do have the potential to be habit forming.

As discussed earlier, over-the-counter sleep aids may be helpful initially or when used occasionally, but they can actually make insomnia worse over time.

Insomnia can be very draining, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the root cause, people can take control of their sleep and get back to normal in no time.

Clinical Definition

Hypertension is elevated pressure or tension on the arterial walls during systemic circulation. Increased force on the arterial walls can occur during the contractions of the myocardium, which is known as systolic pressure, and/or during rest, which is diastolic pressure. Although hypertension can be transient, a diagnosis of hypertension usually refers to a sustained increases in pressure. Hypertension is considered a risk factor for a myocardial infarction and a cerebral vascular accident.

In Our Own Words

Hypertension is high blood pressure. A diagnosis of hypertension may involve recording elevated blood pressure levels on separate occasions, to be certain. Blood pressure is the force at which blood pushes against the arteries, and when elevated pressures are a daily fact of life, and not just an isolated stress response, there can be serious health repercussions.

Blood pressure reading consists of two measurements. The top number is recorded as the heart squeezes to move blood into the arteries (systolic). The bottom number is measured when the ventricles are relaxed, between beats (diastolic). A typical healthy blood pressure is not greater than 120 (systolic)/80 (diastolic).

Hypertension causes the heart to work harder and is a risk factor for a stroke and heart attack. Blood pressure can also be lower than normal. When this occurs it is called hypotension.