Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Show 878: Solving the Sleep Dilemma

If you rely on sleeping pills to get the shut-eye you need, you may be putting yourself at risk for premature death. How can you solve this sleep dilemma?

Most of us are familiar with a number of prescription sleeping pills such as Ambien, Lunesta or Sonata. The unpleasantness of tossing and turning night after night explains why so many people rely on these medications to get to sleep. But research suggests that the long-term side effects of such drugs could be serious, even deadly.

What Are the Hazards of Sleeping Pills?

Learn about the research linking prescription sleep aids to premature death. If sleeping pills are risky and sleep deprivation is also dangerous for our health, what can we do to get a good night’s sleep? Our guests offer practical suggestions for the sleep dilemma.

This Week’s Guests:

Lawrence Kline, DO, is medical director of the Viterbi Family Sleep Center at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. His article was published in BMJ Open on Feb. 27, 2012. The photo is of Dr. Kline.

Matthew Edlund, MD, is an expert on rest, sleep, performance and public health, and the author of The Power of Rest, The Body Clock Advantage, and Designed to Last. His previous articles can be found at therestdoctor.com and wegethealthynow.com. He is the Director of the Gulf Coast Sleep Institute Center for Circadian Medicine, Sarasota, Florida.

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free for four weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.

Buy the CD

Download the mp3

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.3- 3 ratings
About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.