Zyban and Insomnia
Zyban was originally used as an anti-depressant, but when it was seen that one of its side effects was to make people lose interest in smoking, further studies were carried out that made it possible to adapt it especially for that use: to stop people smoking. Unfortunately, another common side effect of Zyban is insomnia, and this is also suffered by smokers trying to kick their addiction.
We shall look at the side effects suffered by the average smoker who takes Zyban to attempt to escape from his or her smoking habit, but we shall also consider more extreme side effects suffered by a minority. We shall attempt to analyze whether Zyban is a suitable drug for giving up smoking, or whether the possible side effects make it unadvisable.
Vivid Dreams and Disturbed Sleep Patterns
Zyban has been proved effective at helping people to give up smoking, but it may also cause people to have extremely vivid dreams and disturbed sleep patterns that may cause them to wake up at different times during the night and experience great difficulty in going back to sleep again. (more…)
February 2, 2008
HIV and Insomnia: a Worrying Combination
While it might seem logical that HIV-positive people and insomnia should go hand in hand, very few studies had been made on this subject until recently. It seems logical simply because it seems logical that HIV-positive people are probably prone to anxiety and depression, and depression and anxiety are known to be common triggers of insomnia. But, what proof is there of a correlation between HIV and insomnia? And, if this correlation does exist, what can be done to relieve the insomnia symptoms of HIV positives?
The proof that there is indeed a correlation between HIV and insomnia comes from direct observation. It has been noted in a number of tests that insomnia is more common among HIV positives than among healthy people. This has been related to the extra depression and anxiety suffered by this group, which has also been observed when comparing them with healthy people. So, if we now know that HIV positives are indeed more prone to insomnia, what can be done to help them overcome this problem? (more…)
January 24, 2008
Can Zoloft Cause Insomnia?
Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder that is characterized by poor sleep. It could be a case of not being able to fall asleep for a long time after going to bed; or waking some time during the night and being unable to get back to sleep. Whatever the exact symptoms, the results are equally devastating - it affects our mood, our concentration and energy. Insomnia can even make us more accident prone, so that it can be dangerous to drive a vehicle.
There are actually three different types of insomnia, which are: mild insomnia, moderate insomnia, and severe insomnia. The first involves sleeping difficulties that only last for a few days; moderate insomnia involves sleep difficulties that last for less than a month and which midly affect regular functioning during the day; while severe insomnia involves sleep difficulties that last for more than a month and which seriously impair functioning during the day. (more…)
January 12, 2008
The Importance of Determining the Causes of Insomnia
Although insomnia is quite a common problem, especially in modern-day society, doctors are only just beginning to learn how to treat it successfully. One of the things that has become quite evident is that determining the exact cause of a particular person’s insomnia is a key element in being able to treat it. Indeed, knowing the cause of your insomnia can make it possible for you to treat the disorder yourself, without the need to resort to professional aid.
Risk Factors Add to the Causes of Insomnia
There are certain characteristics that make a person more likely to experience insomnia. For example, females, the elderly, and people who suffer from depression are all much more likely to get insomnia than other groups. When conditions such as anxiety, stress, use of medications, or a medical problem occur, then these might cause someone to become more susceptible to the disorder as well. (more…)