By Sodiq Ojuroungbe
A sleep specialist, Dr. Lukman Tiamiyu has said persistent use of sleeping medications may cause depression and negatively impact on mental health .
Tiamiyu , a consultant somnologist at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, advised Nigerians not to rely on sleeping medications to address sleep issues, warning that persistent use could also cause rebound insomnia.
He said using sleeping pills for more than a few weeks can increase the risk of developing depression.
The expert explained that long-term use of sleeping pills may have an impact on cognitive function, such as memory and concentration..
According to the American Psychiatric Association, sleep disorders (or sleep-wake disorders) involve problems with the quality, timing, and amount of sleep, which result in daytime distress and impairment in functioning. Sleep-wake disorders often occur along with medical conditions or other mental health.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, Tiamiyu warned that persistent use of sleeping pills can cause daytime drowsiness, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
He noted that there have been studies that suggest sleeping drugs may be linked to a higher risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
He said, “Sleeping pills don’t address the root causes of sleep problems, such as stress, anxiety, or poor sleep habits. Sleeping pills can lead to dependence and tolerance, which means that they may stop working overtime and you may need higher doses to get the same effect.
“Sleeping pills can cause rebound insomnia, meaning that the original sleep problem may return even worse when you stop taking the medication.
“Sleeping pills may interact with other medications, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and antihistamines.
“Sleeping pills can increase the risk of parasomnias, such as sleepwalking, sleep eating, and sleep driving.
“Finally, it’s important to note that using sleeping pills for more than a few weeks can increase the risk of developing depression.”
The expert advised that proper medical screening should be done on sleep issues before using drugs to solve it.
He added, “Even insomnia has distinct aspects, and there are diverse approaches to treating it. Every instance must be thoroughly evaluated and treated according to the underlying medical condition that caused it.
“For instance, the process by which you fall asleep has a stage that we refer to as the beginning phase of sleep.
“There are roughly four or five sub-stages to examine in the person who reported having trouble falling asleep.
“Only falling asleep can cause problems for one person. He has the capacity to stay up for extended periods before falling asleep soundly.
“However, another person can attest to the fact that he has no trouble dozing off, just that once he does, he wakes up after an hour and a half and is unable to fall back again.
“Therefore, the type of treatment you will give to such a person will depend on the individuality of each factor accountable for it. Therefore, getting a checkup before receiving treatment is crucial.”
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