Integrated Reading Passage : Are you getting a good night's sleep?Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles.It is distinguis

In the set of materials, both the reading and the lecture talk about the sleeping aids and its usage. The article supports the usage of sleeping aids and offers three suggestions. However, the lecture refutes each point mentioned in the passage and says it is a bad advice to use a sleeping aid to cure insomnia.

First, the reading claims that if a person has trouble in sleeping, he/ she can pick up some OTC sleep aids from the neighborhood pharmacy without seeing a healthcare professional. On the other hand, the lecture says it’s very important to consult doctor before talking over-the-counter drugs. The OTC sleep aids may contain ingredients, which one may not need and have side effects. The health care professional may suggest some life style changes and sleep habit changes to cure insomnia.

Second, the passage asserts that having a little alcohol or wine with your sleep aid will help you to go to sleep faster. In contrast, the professor says that sleep medications should not be used with alcohol or other drugs. Sleeping aids should not be taken before operating machinery, driving or taking a bath. Everyone should consult a doctor about how to take, when to take, and how long to take sleep aids. Additionally, alcohol helps to calm down a person fast but it causes a person to wake up often at night.

Lastly, the article posits that many prescription sleep aids are not safe and are addictive or cause dependency. Whereas, the professor says that the prescription sleep aids are safe and effective ways to treat insomnia. The new drugs have lower risks of dependency and tolerance compared to the traditional one. The alcohol and drug abuse people are more likely to cause dependency with the sleep aids usage. They should consult a doctor about the dependency issue.