Q. I have to get up to pee a couple of times every night. I frequently have a very hard time falling back to sleep. I am reluctant to take a sleeping pill at 2 in the morning because it makes me groggy when I have to get up. Is there anything that won’t leave me spaced out?
A. The first thing you should do is investigate why you have to urinate so frequently at night. Diuretics for blood pressure control can contribute to this problem, especially if taken late in the day. For men, an enlarged prostate may be the culprit; a urologist might have a solution.
Many sleeping pills, including over-the-counter products, may well cause a morning hangover effect if you take them after 2 or 3 am. You might ask your doctor about a short-acting prescription sleeping pill that is less likely to have that effect.
We are sending you our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep with a discussion of dos and don’ts for restful sleep as well as medications and non-drug options to overcome sleeplessness.
