Dr. Virginia Loewenstine, CEO and medical director of Tristate Preventive Health, answers your questions
Q: Is it safe to take sleeping aids regularly? If I don’t, I can’t sleep.
A: That depends. Obviously, sleeping aids should never be taken while you’re on duty. Over-the-counter medications that have side effects of drowsiness (e.g. Benadryl) can help when off-duty and do not pose any addiction issues. Prescription medications are available, but many may be habit-forming and not ideal if taken regularly.
If you do take medicine to help you sleep, watch for drowsiness or excessive daytime sleepiness the following day. Your dose may need to be adjusted or you may need to take your medicine earlier in the evening.
Non-pharmaceutical methods to induce sleep can help, as well, including creating a sleep ritual, not watching TV in the bedroom, doing yoga, and meditating, to name a few. Dietary methods include drinking a glass of milk, or eating turkey, chicken or tuna before bed. These all contain L-tryptophan, which is known to cause drowsiness.
