Using an over the counter sleep aid for a better night's rest is actually a better option than most of the prescription medications available today. This article will discuss the importance of sleep and what happens when you don't get enough of it, as well as information about the most effective over the counter sleep aid available.

Insomnia and sleep deprivation are actually some of the most common complaints heard in a doctor's office. As a physician myself, I can tell you that I deal with this issue on a daily basis, and statistics reported by the National Institutes of Health state that over 40 million Americans suffer with health-related problems due to a lack of sleep on a yearly basis.

What types of problems can develop within the body if you don't get enough sleep? Heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and becoming more accident prone (which is very serious - they say that there are more car accidents as the result of driver fatigue than drunk driving).

The reason we develop sleep problems is because of a hormone called Melatonin. This hormone is released by the brain and causes the body to relax and sleep through the night. If you don't have enough of it, you won't be able to sleep, or you'll sleep for a short period of time but then wake up and have a hard time getting back to sleep.

Although there are medications available for this, most of them have serious side effects. These drugs have been linked to heart conditions, high blood pressure, seizures, and headaches.

This is where an over the counter sleep aid has a huge advantage - if you choose one that includes natural, herbal ingredients, you will avoid these side effects all together, and the nice thing is that they are very effective in helping you sleep as well.

The one product that I have recommended to my patients for a long time is called Oxy Sleep. This over the counter sleep aid has Melatonin in it, so you are able to replace what you are missing. It also has a number of other herbal ingredients that help your body relax and prepare for sleep.

Most of my patients report that they notice a difference right away when taking it, and the nice thing also is that the company offers a free trial so you can see if you like it before deciding to continue using it.

If you'd like to learn more about Oxy Sleep and take advantage of their free trial offer, visit http://overthecountersleepaid.org