If you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, then you should talk to your doctor about taking a sleep medication. There are many different options out there; some are available only by prescription, and others are sold over the counter. Here's a look at some of the most common sleep medications recommended by physicians.

Diphenhydramine

This is an over-the-counter sleep aid that your doctor will likely recommend if your insomnia is mild or occasional. For instance, if you sometimes get stressed out about work and have trouble sleeping for only a day or two, diphenhydramine is a good choice. It's non-addictive and doesn't typically cause any serious side effects. It's not that strong, but it will usually kick in and make you feel drowsy within about a half-hour of taking it.

Melatonin

Are your sleeping problems related to an abnormal sleeping schedule? For example, do you work the night shift and then have trouble falling asleep when you get home? Taking melatonin is a good choice in situations like these. Melatonin is a hormone that your body produces naturally when it is time to sleep, but if you are trying to sleep at weird hours, you may not have enough of it in your system at those times. Melatonin does give some people strange dreams and may leave you feeling a little drowsy for a while after you wake, but it's a safe and natural choice for schedule-related insomnia. It's sold over-the-counter.

Zolpidem Tartrate

Zolpidem tartrate is a prescription sleep aid that is often prescribed to patients with more long-term, serious insomnia. It can be addictive, so doctors generally recommend taking it only for a week at a time. The hope is that by taking it for a while, it helps establish a better sleep habit, and you can then fall asleep on your own. Zolpidem tartrate makes patients very drowsy. It can cause memory loss and sleepwalking for some, so it should never be used when patients need to operate equipment, drive, or complete important tasks.

Triazolam

This is another prescription sleep aid used for more serious cases of insomnia. It works by slowing down brain activity. Note that it can be addictive and it makes patients very sleepy. If you take Triazolam, you need to be able to dedicate 8 hours to sleep before taking it because if you wake earlier than this, you may experience trouble with your memory. It's very effective for patients whose insomnia is related to PTSD and other mental health ailments.

If you have trouble sleeping, don't go on suffering in silence. Talk to your doctor about these sleeping medicine to discover which one is right for you.