According to a recent data study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the use of sleep aids among adults in the US is relatively low, which, according to the CDC indicates that people are getting a good range of treatment options from doctors.
The CDC Breakdown
The CDC’s analysis represents the first ever national summary of prescription sleep aid use in the US. The CDC found that only about 4% of adults in the US had used a sleep aid in the last 30 days, although that number was higher among people who had been diagnosed with a sleep disorder (16%) or reported trouble sleeping (13%).
Other important findings included:
- Women were more likely to take sleeping aids than men (5% vs 3%)
- Sleeping pill use increased with age. Only 2% of people aged 20-39 took sleeping aids, compared to 7% of people 80.
- People who slept the least and the most were more likely to use sleep aids. People who slept less than 5 hours a night or more than 9 hours a night were both more likely to use sleep aids than those who slept 7 hours (6% and 5%, respectively, vs 3%).
This shows that although the use of prescription medication is increasing in the US, sleeping aids do not currently represent a major problem.
Sleeping Pills and Sleep Apnea
If you are having trouble sleeping, it’s important to learn whether your difficulty is due to sleep apnea before taking a sleeping pill. Sleeping pills can worsen your sleep apnea and may lead to you getting less sleep rather than more.
Sleep apnea is commonly confused with what is described as “maintenance insomnia,” where you can fall asleep but have trouble staying asleep. If this is your problem, or if your sleeping problems are associated with snoring, it is recommended that you get evaluated for sleep apnea before you are prescribed a sleeping pill.
If you need help getting a sleep apnea diagnosis or if you are looking for a more comfortable sleep apnea treatment, please contact B&D Excellence Dentistry, serving patients in Rockland and surrounding areas in New York.
