According to statistics, nearly 30% of the world's population suffers from insomnia, and more than 10% of the population suffers from it, living in endless sleepless nights. This issue is gradually becoming the focus of public attention in both developed and developing countries.
Insomnia, it is not only a simple sleep disorder, but also a source of physical and mental diseases. When individuals have problems with falling asleep, sleep duration, sleep quality, and recovery after waking up, it means that the claws of insomnia have quietly reached them.
This state of not being able to get enough quality sleep is like an invisible shackle that binds people's bodies and minds, making them struggle with exhaustion and unable to enjoy the peace and tranquility they deserve.
The effects of insomnia on the individual are all-encompassing, and it is not just physical torture. Problems such as physical fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss are all direct consequences of insomnia.
What's more, long-term insomnia may also cause anxiety, depression and other psychological problems, plunging an individual's life into darkness. Therefore, we must face up to the problem of insomnia.
As one of the specific drugs for the treatment of insomnia, estazolam is well known to many people, but the drug is poisonous, how much do you know about the contraindications of estazolam?
01
What is estazolam and what does it do?
Estezolam is an important drug name in the medical field, especially in psychiatry and neurology. Estezolam, also known as suldiazepam, belongs to the benzodiazepine class and has significant sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant effects.
The mechanism of action of estazolam is to enhance the inhibitory effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by binding to specific receptors in the brain, thereby reducing the excitability of neurons and achieving sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic and other effects.
This drug has a wide range of clinical applications and is mainly used to treat neurological disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, and tension headaches.
02
Is estazolam carcinogenic and can I take it safely?
Estezolam, as a widely used sedative-hypnotic drug, has a good reputation in the medical community. However, in 2017, the International Agency for Cancer under the World Health Organization classified it as a Group 3 carcinogen, and this news caused widespread public concern and concern. Many people are beginning to wonder if this once-trusted drug can continue to be safe to use.
First of all, we need to clarify what Group 3 carcinogens are. It refers to substances whose carcinogenicity is not well documented in current scientific studies.
These substances may be due to insufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animal experiments, or no clear carcinogenic effect has been found in human studies, although carcinogenicity has been shown in animal experiments.
There are even some substances that, despite the fact that there is ample evidence of carcinogenicity in animal experiments, have been found to be non-carcinogenic after in-depth human studies.
In fact, many items that are common in our daily lives, such as tea and coffee, are also included in the list of Group 3 carcinogens. This does not mean that we want to avoid them altogether, but we need to maintain a reasonable, moderate principle when using them.
Therefore, in the case of estazolam, although it is classified as a Group 3 carcinogen, its carcinogenicity is actually very minimal. We should not be overly concerned about the risk of causing cancer, but more about its other side effects.
03
Can estazolam be used for insomnia for a long time?
The main effect of estazolam is to inhibit the excitability of the central nervous system, thereby helping the patient to fall asleep quickly. However, long-term dependence on this drug may lead to the development of resistance in the body, leading to a gradual weakening of the drug's effectiveness.
In addition, long-term use of estazolam may also bring a range of side effects. The most common is drug dependence, for which patients may gradually develop a strong psychological dependence, and once the drug is stopped, there will be insomnia, anxiety and other reactions.
More seriously, long-term use of estazolam may also cause damage to cognitive function, memory and concentration, affecting daily life and work.
In addition to the above-mentioned side effects, estazolam may also cause some rare side effects such as respiratory depression, blood pressure drop, etc. Although these side effects are less common, when they occur, they can be life-threatening.
Therefore, for insomnia sufferers, although estazolam can bring good sleep results in the short term, it is not wise to take it for a long time.
We should seek healthier and safer ways to improve sleep quality, such as adjusting our work and rest, increasing exercise, and improving our diet. When necessary, you can also consider seeking the help of a professional doctor to formulate a more scientific and reasonable treatment plan.
04
Doctor: Take it safely, keep these 4 points in mind
Estazolam is a classic sleeping pill that has brought restful nights to countless people who suffer from insomnia. However, it also comes with its own unique risks and hazards. In order to ensure that patients can use this drug safely and effectively, we need to follow these 4 points:
First of all, follow your doctor's advice and do not self-medicate
。 Drug use should be based on a doctor's diagnosis and recommendations. The dose, frequency, and duration of estazolam need to be precisely adjusted for the patient's specific situation. Increasing or decreasing the dose or changing the way the drug is used may lead to a weakened effect of the drug and even cause a series of adverse reactions.
Secondly, pay attention to contraindications and do not mix with other drugs or alcohol. Estazolam may interact with certain medications, resulting in increased or diminished potency and even toxic substances. At the same time, alcohol can also have a synergistic effect with estazolam, increasing the sedative effect of the drug, thereby increasing the risk of respiratory depression.
Again, pay attention to side effects and seek medical attention promptly
。 A series of side effects may occur during the use of estazolam such as dry mouth, insomnia rebound, headache, etc. As soon as these symptoms appear, patients should immediately discontinue the drug and consult a doctor. In addition, if you experience serious side effects, such as respiratory depression and confusion, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Finally, improve your lifestyle and cure insomnia
。 Medication is only one way to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia, and lifestyle changes are the key to curing insomnia. Patients should maintain a good routine and avoid overwork and stress. At the same time, proper exercise, good eating habits and mindset can all help improve sleep quality.