The main purpose of using antihistamines is to overcome mild to moderate allergic reactions such as food allergies and those allergies caused by bug bites. This medication works by blocking the histamine work path. In certain people, their central nerve system will trigger the production of histamine when they are exposed to specific allergens. Without the presence of antihistamine, those histamine molecules trigger allergic reaction allow the allergy symptoms start to arise.
The side effect of utilizing antihistamines is drowsiness. This is why most of over the counter sleep problems drugs contain the chemical substance. All of those sleep disorder drugs are not intended for long term consumption. Health practitioners advise us to use this medication for no more than 3 to 4 days. Longer or regular consumption may lead to mild to severe side effects.
How antihistamines cause drowsiness?
Besides treating mild to moderate allergic reaction, antihistamines can also used for treating nausea and vomiting. There are no clear clues on how this medical drug can control vomiting and nausea. The hypothesis is the antihistamine block H1 receptors in the area of the brain. H1 receptor is place on certain cell surface where histamine interacts with it to trigger the symptoms. Experts also guess that the drowsiness effect also related due to this process.
Antihistamines side effects
As stated above, consuming this allergy medication whether to eliminate the allergic reaction signs or to utilize the effect as sleep problems drug for long term uses is not recommended. Just like other chemical base medication, these antihistamines can result several side effects range from mild to severe condition. Including to the side effects are headache, blurred vision, problem urinating, dry mouth, upset stomach, daytime sleepiness, reduced alertness, and vomiting. In rare cases, long term uses, especially in the elderly, may trigger heart disease.
Treating insomnia without antihistamines
Those who struggling with chronic insomnia are strongly suggested to find out better and holistic treatment rather than consuming antihistamine pills, since it has sedative effect, it possibly cause you to increase the dose over the time. Below are some of suggest for who have chronic insomnia.
- Try to stick with regular sleep schedule
- Include physical activity or do exercise regularly
- Avoid daytime naps and limit the caffeine intake
- Stay away from being stress
If you have a persistent insomnia, meet your doctor soon to get a proper treatment. Your doctor may recommend you an advance treatment to make your insomnia disappear through medical and therapy base treatment.
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