Too Many Use Alcohol To Treat Sleep Problems!

If you consume alcohol at bedtime, it decreases the time required to fall asleep after initial stimulating effect.

Due to the sedative effect of alcohol, many people with sleep problems consume alcohol to promote sleep.

But, alcohol consumed within one hour of bedtime disrupts the second half of the sleep period.

You will be awakened from dreams and return to sleep with difficulty which leads to sleep problems.

If you continue the alcohol consumption before bedtime, the sleep inducing effect of alcohol may decrease and its disruptive effects continue to increase. This sleep disruption can lead to daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

Elderly people are at higher risks because higher levels of alcohol are achieved in blood and brain than young people after consuming equivalent dose.

If older people consume alcohol before bedtime, it can lead to unsteadiness if walking is attempted during the night with increased risks of falls and injuries.

According to the studies, alcohol consumed six hours before bedtime can increase wakefulness during the second half of sleep. With alcohol consumption, there are increased effects of sleep deprivation.

Alcohol and Sleep Related Breathing Disorders:

There is an increased risk of sleep apnea in people who drink alcohol. Moderate to high doses of alcohol can lead to narrowing of airway passages causing events of sleep apnea even in persons who do not exhibit symptoms of sleep apnea.

If people with severe obstructive sleep apnea consume alcohol at a rate of two or more drinks, there is a five fold increased risk for fatigue related accidents compared with sleep apnea patients who consume little or no alcohol.

Alcohol, sleep apnea and snoring increases risk for heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.

Effects of Alcohol on Sleep:

People suffer from insomnia in some point or the other which leaves them mentally and physically drained. People suffering from insomnia try all solutions to induce sleep. Some people think that alcohol is the solution for insomnia.

In fact alcohol dehydrates you rather quickly and dehydration factor keeps you awake after three hours of sleep. Alcohol and insomnia are related in other ways like keeping you out of the deeper sleep cycles which means more awakening.

If a person consumes alcohol regularly, withdrawal effects they experience during sleep cause disruption of their sleep cycle. Therefore insomnia and alcohol combined can lead to prolonged sleep problems to get a good night’s sleep.

To Overcome Your Sleep Problems:

There are other ways to treat sleep problems than by using alcohol to make you sleepy. Identify the reasons you are having for restless sleep. Keep a journal and note down your daily sleep routine.

If your sleep is disturbed by the environment, alcohol is not the solution. Adjust your sleep environment such as temperature in the room, monitoring light, and noise factors.

Develop a regular bedtime routine to train your body that it is the time to sleep or time to get up. Alcohol is not the option for good night sleep. It makes your sleep problems even worse. Try other treatments to cure sleep problems.