What is a key effect of using certain medications for sleep issues?

Using certain medications for sleep issues can lead to sleep fragmentation, which is characterized by frequent awakenings throughout the night and a disruption of the normal sleep cycle. Many sleep medications, such as sedatives and hypnotics, can alter the natural architecture of sleep, often suppressing or altering the stages of sleep, including REM sleep.

When medications are used, they may induce sleep quickly, but they can interfere with the body's natural processes, causing the individual to wake up more frequently or not enter deeper stages of sleep, contributing to a sense of unrestorative sleep. This disruption can affect the overall quality of sleep and leave one feeling tired upon waking. Therefore, understanding the potential consequence of sleep fragmentation is critical when considering the impact of medications on sleep quality and patterns.