sleep

[C. L. Luft]

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Lorazepam is a drug used to control anxiety and it has also been shown to be quite effective in the short term treatment of insomnia. Lorazepam is the generic name for Ativan, which is one of the most prescribed drugs for anxiety and insomnia next to Xanax and Ambien. While Lorazepam has shown good results for treatment of these conditions, the side effects can be quite harsh. Lorazepam can have a damaging effect on the liver and kidneys, and has been shown in some cases to cause different problems such as memory loss, hallucination, blurred vision and others. Because of the risk of dependency, many people who stop taking Lorazepam after longer periods experience a rebound of anxiety and insomnia much stronger than previous to using Lorazepam. There is a long list of drugs that Lorazepam will interact with, and you should of course inform your doctor of what medications you are taking if you are considering using Lorazepam. However, before considering using Lorazepam or any other benzodiazepines natural remedies, psychological counseling and lifestyle changes should first be taken into consideration, because of the negative effects of these drugs. These things can help result in a more natural, healthy sleep than the use of Lorazepam.

Alprazolam sounds like a delicious candy, but is actually a very powerful drug much more commonly known as Xanax. Used in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, alprazolam can cause depression and in some cases make insomnia worse. Thankfully there are a few alternatives to using alprazolam, many available without a prescription. Natural supplements containing St. John's Wort and Valarian Root have been shown to have a great effect on anxiety and insomnia without harsh side effects. Many people do not use these in place of alprazolam because they do not give you the same "oomph" and immediate relief that prescription drugs can offer, but they can help you get a much better night's sleep. Natural supplements can not only improve both the amount of sleep you get but also the quality of sleep, whereas prescription drugs often make you go to sleep but leave you very groggy the next morning. For a much more natural sleep try natural supplements and only use prescription drugs like alprazolam in cases of serious insomnia.

You are probably well aware of the drug Diazepam, though you most likely know it by its commercial name Valium. It is one of the most popular drugs in the world and is used to treat a variety of conditions. Diazepam was not the first benzodiazepine to be developed, but is by far the most popular and widely used, though in many cases Xanax is taking its place. Developed in the 1960s, Diazepam can be used to treat insomnia, anxiety, seizures and occasionally it is used for other purposes. Diazepam is not without its drawbacks however. It can be damaging to the liver and kidneys, it is habit forming and dependency forming, it interacts negatively with other drugs and with alcohol. Like most drugs it has side effects as well; Diazepam's side effects include blurred vision, loss of sex drive, hallucination, personality changes and difficulty urinating. Pregnant and nursing mothers should not use Diazepam. For all of these reasons herbal alternatives should be given careful consideration. Natural remedies can be used in place of Diazepam for both anxiety and sleep problems. Herbal supplements are generally safer and side effect free, as well as effective.

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