Risking More By Taking a Sleeping Pill?

Nodding off...

Can't sleep? Well you may be risking more than you gain by taking a sleeping pill. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal reported that natural treatments are a far better choice than prescribed or over-the-counter sleeping pills, particularly for people over age 60.

It seems as a group, older adults are more likely to suffer adverse side effects from those medications including dizziness, loss of balance, falls, and disorientation. Those effects are compounded if the person already has a cognitive or a physical impairment.

Rest assured, using natural treatments such as hot baths, reducing activity before bedtime, and providing a soothing environment in which to rest will lull you to sleep more safely than sedating medications. You'll wake up feeling more refreshed, too.

Now here's the flip side. Can't stay awake? Another study conducted by the University of Michigan Health System has found a way to combat sleepiness without resorting to caffeine-laced beverages or sugary snacks.

Researchers taught 39 students attending a course in clinical research design and statistical analysis how to use acupressure to stimulate points on their legs, feet, hands, and heads and found that the treatment kept them more alert and feeling less fatigued. The procedure consisted of light tapping with the fingers and massaging with the thumbs or forefingers.

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What is...Addison's disease?

Located above each kidney are the adrenal glands. Addison's disease is the chronic, insufficient functioning of the outer layer of these glands, called the adrenal cortex. The under-performance of these glands causes low production of the hormones glucocoticoid and mineralocorticoid, which increases the release of sodium from the body through excessive sweating, urination, and dehydration. The disease is usually the result of autoimmune disorders that destroy the adrenal cortex, but there can be other causes as well.

The onset is gradual and consists of symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood sugar and pressure. Addison patients also have the specific symptom of darkening of the skin lining the mouth, brought on by the excessive secretion of the hormone that stimulates the production of melanin.

Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Editorial Director
Nutrition & Healing