Most people can identify with the feeling of waking up groggy after a night of tossing and turning. When you get fewer than 7 hours of sleep, your brain doesn’t function as well as it should. Loss of sleep impacts your memory and executive function.
Over time, sleeping less than you should is believed to increase your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re having trouble getting the sleep you need, one sneaky culprit might be contributing: medications. If you take any medications regularly, the time of day you take them can disrupt your sleep. These medications include:
Alpha-blockers
Beta-blockers
Corticosteroids
SSRI antidepressants
ACE inhibitors
ARBs
Cholinesterase inhibitors
H1 antagonists
Glucosamine/chondroitin
Statins
Most times, adjusting the time of day you take your medications can help you get your sleep back on track. You might also want to adjust the dosage, or find an alternative medication. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you’re unsure how medications might be impacting your sleep or you want to make changes.