ATTENTION GETTER: Author Thomas Dekker once said that “sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together” (“Thomas Dekker”). True enough, good sleep is an important factor in the achievement of good health; thus, everybody longs for it. For those who struggle to get a good sleep, sleeping drugs or sleeping pills become their only source of hope. Sleeping drugs help to take away ordinariness of daily routine and allow obtaining sound sleep. An ideal sleeping pill should induce good quality and indistinguishable sleep experience. Unfortunately, modern drugs do not produce this result, and in fact, these drugs change the structure of sleep and EEG. Specifically, the ideal sleeping pills should only affect the quality of nocturnal sleep, without affecting the state in the daytime wakefulness, but most sleeping pills have negative after effects.
SIGNIFICANCE: As more and more people rely on sleeping drugs to help them achieve their much needed rest, more and more people are also exposed to great risk.
THESIS: The consistent consumption of this sleeping drugs can cause more harm than good to the human body, as proven by different studies; therefore, it must not be used as a form of treatment.
PREVIEW: It can lead to many other health issues, can worsen insomnia in the long run, and can ultimately lead to death.
POINT ONE: First of all, the use of sleeping drugs can lead to different health issues. A study outlined in the Journal BMJ Open showed that high doses of sleeping drugs may increase the risk of cancer. Now, Zolpidemand Diazepam is mostly used as sleeping drugs. Among the observed patients, 50% of them used this kind of sleeping drugs. Studies show that the adults who used high doses of this sleeping drugs in more than 35% of cases are diagnosed with cancer.In addition, sleeping drugs also increase the risk of heart attacks. Some scientists argue that the popular sleeping drugs, which include zolpidem, are deadly dangerous because they increase the risk of heart attacks by 50%.
Moreover, results of the study that was initiated by experts from Taiwan Medical University,which was conducted among the victims of heart attack, showed that the risk of developing this disease was significantly higher for those who took the sleeping drugs called Stilnoct and Ambien. According to scientists,this connection be best explained by considering the composition of the drugs with similar pharmacological properties including zolpidem. In their report, the researchers have shown that the equivalent of the substance that contained in 60 tablets increases the risk of heart attack by 50% and the use of at least four tablets with a 35-milligram dose of zolpidem increases the risk of these abnormalitiesby 20%. The researchers presented their findings at the largest cardiology conference in Dallas, Texas, stressing that taking zolpidem not only increases the risk of heart disease but also leads to aortic dissection – the rupture of the aorta that may cause massive internal bleeding. Furthermore, the people who take sleeping drugs may also develop a variety of depression, appear hallucinations,convulsions, as well as other side effects. This is alarming because according to statistics, there are up to 9 million of different sleeping drugs being used in the United States each year, and these are most popular among people older than 60 years. Older people are more restless and often suffer from sleep disturbance, leading to the increased consumption of sleeping drugs. As a result, the older population run the risk of suffering from confusion, dizziness, and memory loss.Often these symptoms are confused with senile symptoms. Also, the use of sleeping drugs may lead to the development of various mental disorders. According to statistics,in the year 2004, only the sleeping drugs called Ambien were bought at a large sum of about $2 billion. Although this particular sleeping durg belongs t oa new generation of drugs that are not highly addictive, it is believed to trigger the development of conditions such as amnesia (loss of memory) and sleep walking(walking in a dream).
TRANSITION: Unfortunately, higher risk for cancer and heart attack and cognitive issues are not the only negative effects of taking sleeping drugs.
POINT TWO: Although it may help insomniacs temporarily, sleeping drugs may worsen their condition in the long run. It has been proven that with the extension of the course, the efficiency of sleeping drugs decreases. Therefore, when a man stops the intake of sleeping drugs, he undergoes a very unpleasant feeling. The rejection of the drug leads to a the resumption of insomnia and even to worse sleep disturbances than ever before.
TRANSITION: Aside from the development of different diseases and the worsening of insomnia, the use of sleeping drugs has far greater impact.
POINT THREE: This may ultimately lead to death. Studies showed that intake of drugs, such aszolpidem ortemazepam, at least twice a month exposes a person to an increased risk of death. A particular study that showed this result involved 10.529 adults (mean age 54) who used sleeping drugs for an average of 2.5years (from 2002 to 2007).In the other group were 23.676 personswho did not take sleeping drugs. Taking into account such factors as age, presence of various diseases, gender, lifestyle, the researchers found a clear correlation between the use of sleeping drugs and the increased risk of death. Specifically, the study showed the following results:s mortality amongpeople who used up to 18 doses of sleeping drugsper year,increasedby 3.5 times in comparison with those whodid not takesleeping drugs; mortality amongpeople who used from 18 to132 doses of sleeping drugs per yearincreased by more than 4 times; and a group of peoplewho used more than 132 doses of sleeping drugs per year, the mortality rate increased by more than 5 times.
TRANSITION: Clearly, instead of improving one’s sleep, a person may lose his life by consistently relying on sleeping drugs; thus, people must not rely to it.
POINT FOUR: Those who are suffering from insomnia or other sleep-related issues must not consider sleeping drugs as a form of treatment. Nowadays, there are people who take sleeping drugs without a strong and valid reason. For instance, there are people who use sleeping drugs not only when there is complete absence of sleep but also for minor sleep deprivation. On the contrary, American psychiatrist Daniel Kripke concluded, based on hiss survey of about a million people within 6 years, concludeds that people who spent nearly 6-7 hours of sleep live longer than those who spent no less than 8 hours regularly.In other words, increasing sleep duration does not necessarily improve health, contrary to the popular belief. Furthermore, Daniel Kripke believes that the damage caused by the regular use of sleeping drugs is comparable to the effect of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Before taking sleeping drugs, experts recommend finding out what factors affect one’s sleep. These factors may include stress, emotions, and excitement. If any of these factors trigger the insomnia or inability to get a good sleep, then, addressing these factors would be the best treatment. In most cases, people who use sleeping drugs can actually improve their sleep by trying out activities that they fail to consider. For instance, good quality sleep can be achieved with increased physical activity and healthy diet. Also, avoiding strong tea and coffee in the evening as well as energetic drinks can help restore normal sleeping patterns. However, some people prefer sleeping drugs over these simple habits.
REVIEW/RESTATE THESIS: Overall, people must not use sleeping drugs to treat insomnia, prolong sleep duration, or improve one’s quality of sleep. It causes more harm than good to human bodies because it leads to health issues, worsens insomnia, and it may even lead to death.
CONCLUSION: In today’s society, most sleeping drugs are sold over the counter. In other words,they are available for everyone. For instance, sleeping drugs usually contain diphenhydramine or other substance called H1-blockers. This has a sedative effect and causes drowsiness. However, testing its performance was never carried out. The mechanism of its actions was not observed, and its impact in the human body was noy analyzed.Most of H1-blockers seem to effect for a long period of time, causing not only constant drowsiness but also headaches and lethargy in the morning. Also, increased motor activity during sleep, confusion, urinary retention or difficulty in urination and dry in the mouth have been observed from its users. Despite all of theseside effects, people often take this sleeping drugs.They continue to take them for weeks, not even paying attention to the fact that after sometime, the effect of H1-blockers decreases. Based on all of the negative effects of sleeping drugs that have been previsouly presented, it is clear that this substance is not safe. The benefits of receiving a slight sedative to trigger sleep cannot justify all the terrible risks that come with it. After all,there are totally harmless alternative means to deal with insomnia or lack of sleep, such as an evening walk and fresh air, physical exercises, swimming, massage and other relaxing activities. Instead of popping sleeping pills, people must be more proactive in developing healthy habits that will develop and improve one’s sleeping pattern.
Works Cited
Jo Waters. “Do Sleeping Pills Increase Your Risk of Dying Young?”. DailyMail. Daily Mail, 2012. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
Liddicoat, Laura J. and Harding, Patrick. Ambien®: Drives Like a Dream? Case Studies of Zolpidem-Impaired Drivers in Wisconsin, presentation to the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Washington, February 23, 2006. n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
“Sleeping Pill Side Effects”. DrugDangers. n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
“Sleeping Pills and the Alternatives”. NHS Choices. NHS Choices, 2014. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
“Sleeping Pills Could Shorten Your Life”. The Dark Side of Slipping Pills. The Dark Side of Slipping Pills, n.d..Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
“Thomas Dekker Quotes.” BrainyQuote. Brainy Quote, n.d.. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
“Understanding the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills”. WebMD.com. WebMD.com, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
