Which benadryl helps you sleep

Anticholinergic medications are FDA pregnancy category B drugs. Rather than antihistamines or any type of sleep aid, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and European Sleep Research Society recommends cognitive behavioral therapy CBT as a first-line treatment for insomnia. CBT focuses on sleep hygiene and strengthening the bed-sleep connection.

It helps adjust circadian rhythm and reduces anxiety about insomnia. L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves. Practicing good sleep hygiene habits can help train your body and brain to fall and stay asleep. Here are some strategies to try:. If you have chronic insomnia, talk with a medical professional.

They may recommend prescribed sleep aids or antidepressants with a sedating effect. Many prescription sleep aids pose some potential risk and may not be appropriate for everyone. Some may also have unwanted side effects such as dizziness. Others may experience dependence. Peoplpe sometimes use antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate, to combat insomnia. These over-the-counter medications are OK for occasional use in most people. Instead, you may want to try alternative sleep aids like melatonin, good sleep hygiene, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

If chronic insomnia is a problem, talk with a healthcare professional. They may also prescribe medications that can help. Insomnia treatment can include lifestyle changes, behavioral therapies, or medications. Learn about the treatment options. In addition, detecting and addressing underlying health issues can help solve sleep problems. These include sleep apnea, which may be indicated by snoring or periods where breathing is interrupted during the night, and movement disorders, such as restless legs syndrome.

However, if these strategies don't help, and your insomnia is frequent and interferes with daily activities, it's time to visit your doctor. More intensive therapies may be able to get your sleep back on track. One promising option is cognitive behavioral therapy CBT.

CBT is typically administered in a four- to week program that helps you make lasting changes to your sleep habits — many of which may seem counterintuitive. This might include, for example, limiting the time you spend in bed — thus training you to avoid being in bed unless you are sleeping. The strategy is simple in theory, but very hard to carry out for most people, which is why CBT works best under professional guidance.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is performed by a professional or through specially designed online CBT programs, says Dr. These approaches may take more time than popping a pill, but ultimately, they may help you make changes that lead to better sleep over the long term. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Alapat recommends that people who suffer from long-term insomnia visit a physician or sleep disorders specialist to address the problem, which could result from medical issues such as obstructive sleep apnea, depression or circadian rhythm disorders. Baylor College of Medicine.

Baylor College of Medicine News Trouble sleeping? Experts say skip antihistamines.