Long-term use of certain medications were found to have some unexpected side effects for older adults with insomnia
A recent study suggests that prolonged use of certain sleeping tablets could be harmful to your sleep, daily functioning and memory. The research indicates that these medications change the body’s sleep patterns, resulting in a lack of restorative sleep.
Published in the Sleep journal, the study specifically examined chronic use of benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine receptor agonist in older adults suffering from insomnia. These are among the most frequently prescribed sleeping pills and sedatives.
These medications function by reducing brain activity to induce sleepiness. They also alleviate cramps, relax muscles, and help individuals feel more relaxed and less anxious.
While this aids in falling asleep faster, the new study revealed that higher dosage usage resulted in more significant sleep disruptions than insomnia itself.
It also altered people’s sleep regulation and was associated with overall poorer sleep quality. The study also discovered a link between long-term use of these pills and cognitive impairment, particularly concerning memory, in older adults.
The scientists theorised that this could imply that the medications might exacerbate brain health issues in older adults. These findings could shed light on why patients taking these medications report feeling groggy the day after consumption and experience cognitive decline over an extended period.
The researchers concluded: “We showed that chronic use of sedative-hypnotics is detrimental to sleep regulation-at the macro and micro-level-and this may contribute to the reported link between sedative-hypnotic use and cognitive impairment in older adults.” They urged future research to examine more closely how these tablets impact memory function, and whether alternative pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical treatments should be explored for addressing cognitive problems.
The investigation examined three distinct groups: individuals with regular sleep patterns, those suffering from insomnia without medication, and insomniacs taking these drugs. Scientists also suggested that expanding access to cognitive behavioural therapy could help maintain mental function whilst simultaneously enhancing sleep quality.
This approach is typically the preferred initial treatment for insomnia sufferers before resorting to medication. All 101 volunteers were between 55 and 80 years of age.
They completed various assessments including polysomnography, which involves tracking an individual’s sleep phases and patterns. Experts evaluated sleep duration, the time required to fall asleep, total bed time, likelihood of nocturnal awakening, and sleep fragmentation levels.
Both insomnia groups – whether medicated or unmedicated – demonstrated reduced sleep efficiency and greater susceptibility to night-time disturbances. According to the NHS, insomnia can often be treated by changing your sleeping habits, such as going to bed at the same time everyday, making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet and exercising during the day.
If that doesn’t work, a GP may offer you cognitive behavioural therapy or refer you to a sleep clinic to check for other sleep disorder symptoms. The NHS notes: “GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia.
“Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if your insomnia is very bad (or) other treatments have not worked.”