Sleeping Pills Deliver BONE-Chilling Danger (Seniors beware!)
Happy Halloween!
Today’s the day for seeing witches and jack-o-lanterns… goblins and graveyards… and plenty of adorably costumed kids on the hunt for candy.
But ANY day, you could see folks shuffling around like zombies – and NOT because of the spooky holiday.
See, millions of Americans struggle with insomnia – and pop sleeping pills in a desperate attempt to get some shut-eye.
But these drugs DON’T deliver major boosts in sleep… rather, they contribute to zombie-like reactions.
And friend, these health risks are downright scary and bone-chilling – especially, if you’re OLDER.
That’s because one side effect could put you in the graveyard… for REAL.
Head Over Heels
Drifting off to dreamland shouldn’t be that difficult…
But it IS for lots of folks, especially seniors.
And many try to beat their insomnia with sleeping pills.
As far back as 2012, doctors were writing nearly 60 million prescriptions for sleep drugs… and they’re even MORE popular now.
But while just ONE prescription sleeping pill can make ANYONE drowsy, confused, and unsteady on their feet…
And long-term use can end up short-circuiting your brain – and putting you on the fast track to dementia…
These effects are magnified in folks over 45. And the OLDER you are, the HARDER these drugs can hit you.
And as it turns out, they can end up KILLING you.
That’s because they skyrocket your risk of a fall – the number one cause of injury and death in folks over 65.
See, seniors take more than 36 million tumbles per year – roughly 32,000 of them fatal.
And taking sleep meds makes those odds even MORE likely.
One study found that more than 19,000 seniors were hospitalized for falls in one year alone, after taking zolpidem (Ambien) or another prescription sleeping pill.
And in another study, women taking sleep drugs boosted their risk of an injury-causing fall in the next two weeks by a whopping 185 percent.
Sweeter Dreams
Friend, you’d think that getting more sleep would CUT the risk of falling — and I’m sure it can, if you drift off naturally.
But if that extra sleep comes from a drug, your odds of falling SOAR.
For example, if you get up use the bathroom at night, those sleeping pills in your system could make you feel woozy, foggy, and off-balance.
In fact, many folks STILL feel groggy and hung over the following day.
And for what? Sleep drugs only increase total snooze time by just a few measly minutes. And even when they work, they don’t deliver the refreshing, high-quality sleep you’re hoping for.
But you CAN achieve better sleep without boosting your risk of falls or other drug-related side effects.
Often, some of the simplest remedies work best. And that includes a soothing cup of herbal tea.
I like Sleepytime Extra, available at your local supermarket. But be sure it’s the “Extra” version, which contains sleep-inducing valerian.
You can also trying melatonin, which despite mainstream naysayers, actually CAN help you sleep.
Look for a spray or sublingual pill, which your body absorbs faster to help you fall asleep quicker.
But speak to your doctor first. And let him know if you’re suffering from chronic insomnia, which could be a warning sign of something else.
One more thing…
In case you missed it, here’s what else we’ve been chatting about this week in e-Tips:
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All-Natural Sleep Booster WORKS (no more sleeping pills?)
- The mainstream says this all-natural sleep booster doesn’t work, but science shows why they’re WRONG. Get the details here.
Simple Change Blocks Alzheimer’s AND Repairs Damage? (Wow!)
- If you’re struggling with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s – or have a high risk of developing them – discover a simple change to help prevent, stop, and repair the damage.
Coming Soon to Your Sandwich: “Killer” Tomatoes (Beware!)
- Genetically modified tomatoes promise more vitamin D – but could come at a big risk to your health. Learn the facts right here.
Doctors PUSH High-Risk Diabetes Drug Over Metformin?
- If you have diabetes, your doctor may want you to replace metformin with a more powerful – and dangerous – drug. Learn how this could be a BIG mistake.
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- Bloating and gas are more common than you think. “Harmless” drugstore meds can actually be risky, but simple drug-free remedies can beat the bloat. Discover them here.
Source:
“3 Reasons to Avoid Sleeping Pills,” The Senior List, April 12, 2023. (theseniorlist.com/health/sleeping-pills)