The People's Perspective on MedicineArticles categorized as Insomnia
Is There a Problem Taking Melatonin to Sleep?
Is taking melatonin a reasonable way to manage chronic insomnia? There may be a higher risk of fracture. Minimize hazards with hypnosis.
Candy or Cure? One Dark Side of Gummy Medicines: DIARRHEA!
Gummy medicines are becoming increasingly popular. They taste great...just like candy. That poses benefits and risks. Beware melatonin OD!
Overcoming Insomnia with Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherries are rich in melatonin. A cup of cherry juice from concentrate twice a day may help people overcome insomnia.
How to Sleep During Anxious Times
Many people are finding the news of the day overwhelming. Insomnia ups the risk of hypertension. Tips on getting to sleep during anxious times
How Can You Overcome Midnight Motor Mind?
A reader offers a simple recipe for lemon balm syrup to calm midnight motor mind and get back to sleep easily. Will you try it?
Show 1393: How to Get the Sleep You Need
This week, Dr. Roger Seheult explains why sleep is so important for health and how you can get the sleep you need.
Show 1354: How Hypnosis Can Help Your Health (Archive)
The practice of hypnosis can help patients manage a wide range of health problems, so long as they are hypnotizable.
Paradoxical Excitation from DPH Sleeping Pills
Diphenhydramine (DPH) is the antihistamine in the allergy med Benadryl. It makes many drowsy. But DPH pain relievers wake some people up!
Sleeping Pills for Seniors: A Scary Solution for Insomnia
Do you have trouble getting a good nights sleep? Many doctors think the answer is sleeping pills for seniors. Why could that be problematic?
Show 1378: Rediscovering the Power of Medicinal Herbs
Our guests are expert herbalists. They share their knowledge on medicinal herbs to help you stay healthy, from Andrographis to thyme.
Will Taking Ashwagandha Help You Fall Asleep?
Some readers report success with an Ayurvedic herb for insomnia. Could the Indian herb ashwagandha help you sleep better too?
Do Doctors Know How to Help Patients Stop Medications?
Why don't drug companies, doctors or the FDA tell patients how to stop medications? This is a problem with benzos, antidepressants and PPIs.
Should You Raise the Foot of Your Bed to Sleep Better?
People are less likely to raise the foot than the head of the bed. Will either tactic help you overcome insomnia?
Sweet Dreams with Tart Cherry Juice at Bedtime
A reader reports that drinking tart cherry juice at bedtime leads to sound sleep. Research studies support the benefits of cherries for sleep.
The Love-Hate Relationship with Anti-Anxiety Benzos
Millions of people rely upon anti-anxiety benzos to calm their nerves and put them to sleep. What are the pros and cons of benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepine Dependence | A Hard Habit to Kick
Getting off benzos can be tough. Benzodiazepine dependence is common. Beware "BIND": Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction.
Is There a Downside to Ashwagandha?
You could use herbal medicine to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia. Digestive upset is a downside to ashwagandha. So is withdrawal.
Can Acupressure Arm Bands Help with Sleep Problems?
Some people have found that wearing acupressure wrist bands at bedtime helps them overcome sleep problems without medication.
Prednisone Can Cause Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia
Corticosteroids are valuable medications. But drugs like prednisone can cause anxiety, depression and other serious psychiatric side effects.
Is It Unhealthy to Drink Unfiltered Coffee?
Unfiltered coffee prepared by boiling or French press methods can raise cholesterol. Filtered coffee has numerous health benefits.
How Can You Stop PM Sleeping Pills?
Millions of people take OTC pain relievers to combat insomnia. Do they realize that these "PM" sleeping pills have anticholinergic activity?
Will Vitamin D Supplements Really Protect You from Colds?
Adequate sleep and vitamin D supplements could help boost immunity against colds or the flu during the winter season.
Can Acupressure Wrist Bands Help You Get to Sleep?
Many people find that acupressure wrist bands, correctly placed, can help them get the sleep they need without tossing and turning.
Show 1333: Overcoming Insomnia Without Medication
Dr. Jade Wu answers your questions about sleep and overcoming insomnia. She offers information on cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia.
Does Insomnia Raise Your Risk for Heart Trouble?
Researchers seeking to discover could insomnia raise your risk for problems found an association with atherosclerosis and heart attacks.
Show 1331: Staying Healthy During and After COVID
In this episode, Dr. Roger Seheult offers evidence-based tips on staying healthy even when viral infections abound.
Can Taking a Probiotic Product Help You Sleep Better?
A reader found that taking a probiotic product for better digestion also improved sleep. Studies support this observation.
Does Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Lead to Cranky Kids?
Children of parents who took acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to have trouble sleeping and paying attention.
Is Napping Good for Your Health or Bad for Your Health?
Are you a snoozer? Do you worry about the health consequences of napping during the day? Worry no more. The latest research suggests it may be good for you.
A Lawyer Loves Halcion for Sleep! What Are the Downsides?
Sleeping pills are still big business. Everyone wants a good night's sleep. A reader insists that Halcion for sleep is the answer to insomnia.
Can Your Medicines Cause Insomnia?
Hundreds of medicines cause insomnia. Statins like simvastatin may do it. So can corticosteroids and the BP drug amlodipine. Were you warned?
How Well Do You Sleep When You Hear Unfamiliar Voices?
When we hear unfamiliar voices while we sleep, the brain may respond with micro-arousal even if we don't wake.
What Is the Best Time to Go to Sleep?
A big study in the UK found that people who go to sleep between 10 and 11 pm have the lowest likelihood of cardiovascular problems.
Does Popular OTC Antihistamine Increase Risk of Dementia?
Does the antihistamine diphenhydramine (DPH) increase the risk of dementia? What about anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder (OAB)?
Show 1268: Learning How to Sleep
The old rules of sleep hygiene are too general to be helpful. Dr. Rafael Pelayo offers specific science-based suggestions on how to sleep.
Do Lonely Older People Take More and Riskier Drugs?
Research shows that lonely older people are more likely to be prescribed potentially risky drugs for depression, anxiety, insomnia or pain.
When PM Pain Meds Might Make Sense
PM pain meds contain diphenhydramine. This anticholinergic drugs is controversial, but it could make sense short term for someone in pain.
Will Saffron Extract Help You Sleep Better?
Research shows that saffron extract from crocus stamens can ease insomnia and depression and slow the progress of macular degeneration.
Zolpidem Has Different Dose for Women
The popular sleeping pill zolpidem has a lower recommended dose for women because they eliminate it from their bodies more slowly.
Show 1246: Getting the Sleep You Need Even in Anxious Times
It's harder to sleep well during anxious times, but more important than ever. Learn how to manage your own sleep and your children's.
Can Melatonin Help Overcome COVID-19?
Noting President Trump's list of medications, readers wonder: can melatonin help in treating the coronavirus? It can help with sleep.
Zolpidem for Insomnia | COVID-Related Anxiety
Has the coronavirus been causing you anxiety, depression or insomnia? You would not be alone. Prescriptions for drugs like zolpidem for insomnia are way up!
Will CBD Help You Sleep Better?
A compound from Cannabis plants may help ease anxiety. But there is limited research on whether you can use CBD to help you sleep.
How You Can Get to Sleep Without Amitriptyline
Cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia can help you get to sleep, if you can find someone to help you learn it. Acupuncture or tart cherry juice can help.
What Should You Eat to Sleep Better?
A large study shows that diet makes a difference at bedtime. Will you change what you eat to sleep better, even if it means fewer snacks and desserts?
Can PM Sleeping Pills Cause Memory Problems?
Millions of people take PM sleeping pills. These are promoted as nighttime pain relievers. How does the antihistamine diphenhydramine impact the brain?
Can Ashwagandha Help You Sleep Better?
A reader wonders: Could ashwagandha help you sleep? Although this Indian herb has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, there are no scientific studies.
What Time Is Best to Take Melatonin?
If you want to take melatonin for better sleep, the timing is best if you take it half an hour to an hour before turning out the lights.
Beware Zolpidem Zombies on Airplanes
We all seek a good night's sleep. Commercials for prescription sleeping pills make them seem very appealing. There's no mention of zolpidem zombies, though.
Amitriptyline for Sleep Problems Is a Bad Idea
Getting a good night's sleep can be a challenge, but relying on the antidepressant amitriptyline for sleep problems has its own hazards! Is Brain fog one?
What Took the FDA So Long to Warn About Z-Drug Dangers?
The FDA crows about its new drug approvals. It is less enthusiastic about black box warnings. Z-drug dangers now include sleep walking and sleep driving.
Popular Sleeping Pills Get FDA’s Black Box Warning!
Do you ever read the FDA's black box warning? There are new cautions about Ambien (zolpidem), eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zaleplon (Sonata). Sleep driving!
Falling Asleep with Zolpidem | Waking up with Heartburn
Millions of people have insomnia. Many try falling asleep with zolpidem. But the drug can cause indigestion. Waking up with heartburn at night is not nice.
Show 1125: How Can You Find Your Sleep Solution? (Archive)
Are you getting enough sleep? If not, Dr. Chris Winter has a sleep solution that may help. Exercise and exposure to bright light early in the day can help reset your inner clock.
What Is the Other Drug Epidemic?
Researchers say there is another drug epidemic in addition to opioids. Doctors are prescribing more benzodiazepines than ever for longer periods of time.
Will Therapeutic Frankincense Help You Sleep?
A reader wonders whether therapeutic frankincense can overcome insomnia. The aroma may be relaxing, especially in combination with lavender and mandarin.
Will Raisins Help You Sleep More Soundly?
Some readers report that eating raisins at bedtime helps them avoid frequent nighttime urination. We have not seen any research to confirm or explain this.
Will Lavender Oil Ease Your Anxiety and Insomnia?
The scent of lavender oil can help reduce anxiety and overcome sleeplessness in people undergoing surgery. Might it help you too?
Can Clonazepam Increase the Risk for Dementia?
People taking benzodiazepines like clonazepam for insomnia are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Could benzos increase the risk for dementia?
Does Too Little Sleep Make You Quicker to Anger?
People who have gotten too little sleep are much more prone to get angry in annoying situations. Sleep deprivation has other negative health consequences.
Is Melatonin Safe for Night Shift Nurse?
People who work the night shift may need help sleeping during the day. Is melatonin safe for this purpose? We need more research to know for sure.
Will Getting to Sleep Wreck Your Digestion?
A popular sleeping pill, zolpidem, might wreck your digestion. Be sure to use it only short term to avoid serious problems.
Can You Get A Good Night’s Sleep in the Hospital?
Have you ever spent time in a hospital? Anyone who has knows how hard it is to sleep in the hospital. There is too much noise, too many lights and too many awakenings. Does it have to be this way?
Can a Chinese Fungus Help You Sleep Better?
A Chinese fungus called Xylaria nigripes has a reputation for fighting insomnia, but there isn't much research on its effectiveness.
Are You Taking A Sleeping Pill That Messes with Your Brain?
Do you ever read the labels on OTC drug bottles? Can you pronounce doxylamine? Do you know what it is? This sedating antihistamine is used as a sleeping pill. What are the risks?
Chantix and Insomnia | Disturbed Sleep and Bad Dreams
Commercials for Chantix (varenicline) are compelling. People share their stop-smoking success stories. Serious side effects are mentioned, but we have not heard the announcer link Chantix and insomnia
Can the Antidepressant Amitriptyline Mess Up Memory?
The antidepressant amitriptyline is prescribed for nerve pain, fibromyalgia, insomnia or migraines. Can amitriptyline cause memory problems?
Is NyQuil A Good Way To Stay Asleep?
Do you wake up a few times each night to go to the bathroom? Will a nighttime cold and flu medicine like Nyquil solve the problem or is a home remedy the ticket?
Skimping on Magnesium May Mean Trouble Sleeping
When a medication leads to low magnesium levels, you might have trouble sleeping. Restoring magnesium with supplements could help.
Will Bright Light at Bedtime Lower Melatonin Levels?
Researchers have found that young children exposed to bright light before bedtime have lower melatonin levels. They might have more trouble falling asleep when they should.
Should You Worry About Serious Melatonin Side Effects?
Melatonin is a very popular dietary supplement. How good is it for promoting sleep. Are there melatonin side effects you should know about?
What Are the Most Dangerous Drugs for Older Adults?
Are you an older adult? Have you ever heard of the Beers list of PIMs (potentially inappropriate medications)? There are many dangerous drugs that should rarely be prescribed to older people.
How To Choose Safe and Effective Over-The-Counter Medicines
Do you play doctor by medicating yourself or those you love with over-the-counter medicines? Do you understand the pros and cons of such drugs? Our faves and our fears on OTC meds!
Will Valerian Help You Sleep Better?
Valerian root has traditionally been used to help people sleep better. Scientific studies seem to support its usefulness, though more research is needed.
Do You Absorb Magnesium from Your Armpits?
Applying milk of magnesia to your armpits can cut body odor. Scientists haven't seen proof that much magnesium is absorbed through the skin.
Can Magnesium Help You Sleep Without Causing Diarrhea?
Will taking magnesium help you sleep? One reader reports that magnesium glycinate counteracts insomnia without causing diarrhea or loose stools.
Will Melatonin Under Your Tongue Ease Insomnia?
Melatonin helps shift workers and people with jet lag get to sleep. Will melatonin under your tongue help you drift off with greater ease?
Do You Take Magnesium to Get to Sleep?
If you often suffer from insomnia, you might consider taking some magnesium to get to sleep. This is a natural approach with only a few caveats.
Should Your Doctor Know You Are Not Sleeping?
If you are not sleeping as much as you need to, your health could suffer. That's why you should tell your doctor, and look for nondrug approaches to overcome insomnia.
Will Magnesium Help You Sleep Better All Night?
A modest amount of research supports one reader's discovery that magnesium supplements help her sleep better all night long.
Evening Screen Time Disrupts Sleep-Are There Solutions?
The blue light emitted by screens on televisions, tablets and computers disrupts sleep, according to a new study. Turn them off an hour before bedtime.
Will Trazodone Be a Great Sleeping Pill?
Trazodone has not been approved for insomnia and has too many side effects to be considered a great sleeping pill. But many people use it.
How To Get Back to Sleep In the Middle of the Night
Are you getting a good night's sleep? If you wake up or get up to pee, is it hard for you to get back to sleep? If so, you could be vulnerable to problems.
Do Zolpidem (Ambien) Side Effects Include Horrible Heartburn?
If patients are warned about Zolpidem (Ambien) side effects they may be told about morning hangover or driving impairment. Indigestion may not be mentioned.
How Can You Get to Sleep Without Zolpidem?
Can you learn how to sleep without zolpidem? There are many nondrug approaches, but you may need to taper the dose of zolpidem first.
Could Sleeping Longer Make You Quicker?
Many athletes and the rest of us could benefit from sleeping longer. Would you like to be stronger and smarter? Consider sleep loading.
If Ambien Is Out, How Can You Get to Sleep?
Ambien is out as a sleep med for this reader because of his age. He has other options that can help him get the sleep he needs.
Could Tai Chi Help You Overcome Insomnia?
About half of breast cancer survivors plagued with insomnia found that practicing tai chi, a Chinese martial art, helped them sleep better.
Is Clever Home Remedy for Insomnia Hurting Your Wrists?
Our reader had success with a clever home remedy for insomnia, a kidney bean taped to a special acupressure point. Sadly, it bruised the wrists.
How Can You Stop Taking Klonopin for Insomnia?
Benzodiazepine drugs are frequently used to ease anxiety and sleep problems. It can be very challenging to stop a drug such as Klonopin for insomnia.
How to Get to Sleep Without Weakening Your Bones
Taking melatonin to get to sleep may benefit bones by improving bone density.
How Did Teens Find Something Better Than Sleeping Pills?
A reader who read about acupressure wrist bands convinced her teenage daughter to try them. They worked better than sleeping pills.
Is Diphenhydramine for Sleeping Bad for Your Health?
Relying on OTC sleeping pills containing diphenhydramine could contribute to brain fog the next day and confusion or memory problems over the long run.
Scientists Study Mice to Learn about Sleep
Studying the nerve connections in sleeping mice, scientists concluded that synapses shrink during sleep. This promotes learning when mice are awake.
Will Wine at Dinner Mess Up Your Sleep?
A glass or two of wine with dinner may be tasty, but will it interfere with a good night's sleep? If it does, you might want to skip it.
Can You Turn Off Your Brain to Get a Good Night’s Sleep?
When you can't get your brain to quiet down so you fall asleep, there are non-drug approaches that could help you get a good night's sleep.
Will Your Sleep Aid Make You Stupid?
Relying too heavily on an OTC sleep aid or PM pain reliever can contribute to cognitive decline.
Is Drowsy Driving Really as Risky as Drunk Driving?
It is important to be well-rested before getting behind the wheel. Drowsy driving is involved in about 20 percent of fatal car crashes.
Did Diet Coke Addiction Lead to Insomnia?
One reader reported that conquering a Diet Coke addiction also led to better sleep at night without the need for medication.
People Continue to Complain About Generic Ambien – Zolpidem
The FDA insists that all approved generic drugs are equal to brand names. We continue to received reports that many generic Ambien products are not working.
How Safe is Nightly Lorazepam for Bad Insomnia?
Benzodiazepines used to be prescribed frequently for insomnia but the FDA does not support this approach. What are the dangers of long-term benzo use?
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep with an Herbal Remedy
Valerian extract may help you get a good night's sleep without the next-day drowsiness typical of over-the-counter sleep aids.
Did Sleeping Pill Cocktail Leave Insomniac Zombified?
When chronic insomniacs have a hard time getting a good night's sleep their doctors sometimes come up with some worrisome sleeping pill cocktails.
Do Sleeping Pills Increase the Risk of Dementia?
One of the great health worries of our modern times is Alzheimer's disease. Many think it's genetic, but what if some sleeping pills contribute to dementia?
Are You Desperate for a Good Night’s Sleep?
Do you have trouble getting a good night's sleep? If so, you're not alone. 1 out of 4 people has trouble sleeping. Could your medicine be causing insomnia?
Insulin Sensitivity Restored by Catching Up on Lost Sleep
Sleep-deprived people develop abnormalities in the way their insulin responds to blood sugar, but these can be reversed by catching up on lost sleep.
Are You Risking a Car Crash on Ambien?
Drivers over 80 are twice as likely to have a car crash on Ambien than those who don't use a sleep aid.
Lavender-Scented Lotion Is Better Than a Lullaby
Lavender-scented lotion or herbal oil applied before bedtime helps this reader get a really good night's sleep.
Multiple Awakenings at Night Affect Mood in the Morning
When sleep is interrupted with awakenings, the results for mood are as bad as not getting enough time in bed to sleep.
Tart Cherry Juice for a Better Night’s Rest
Sipping tart cherry juice before bedtime offers a natural approach to overcoming insomnia.
Why Does Benadryl Wake Her Up?
Some people find the over-the-counter sleep aid diphenhydramine can wake them and make them feel uncomfortably alert instead of putting them to sleep.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is First Choice for Insomnia
When people try cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, the results are equivalent to taking a sleeping pill, but there are no dangerous side effects.
Popular Sleeping Pills Raise Risk of Dementia
Although popular sleeping pills can be helpful for occasional insomnia, chronic use poses hazards and may lead to confusion and forgetfulness in time.
Safety Concerns Mount for Sleeping Pill Zolpidem (Ambien)
Zolpidem side effects may be more common than most people realize. Did you know that this drug can cause sleep walking, or even worse, sleep driving?
Caffeine in her Night Cream Was Waking Her Up
Beauty products may contain caffeine to reduce puffiness and wrinkles, but this stimulant can be absorbed through the skin.
Will Mindfulness Meditation Solve Seniors’ Sleep Problems?
Mindfulness awareness practice boosted sleep quality among older adults who had trouble sleeping well.
Sleep Deprivation Damages the Body: Napping Can Help
A half-hour nap can undo some of the metabolic damage from a night of sleep deprivation.
Magical Pillow Helps Create a Good Nights Sleep
An sweet smelling pillow aided sleep. What were the herbal ingredients?
Print Is Better for Reading in Bed
Using an e-reader before bedtime may interfere with sleep.
The Dangerous Dilemma of Sleeping Pills
People with insomnia are caught between the dangers of not getting enough sleep and the serious side effects of sleeping pills.
Sleeping Pill Problems Prompt Reader to Quit
The sleeping pill Lunesta (eszopiclone) has had very appealing TV commercials. The luna moth flits through the window peacefully. What about side effects?
How Can She Break the Ambien Habit and Still Get the Sleep She Needs?
Non-drug approaches offer safe ways to get to sleep and beat insomnia.
Poor Sleep Is Linked to a Higher Level of Alzheimer’s Disease Proteins
During deep sleep, cerebrospinal fluid flows out of the brain, washing away some Alzheimer's disease proteins.
Daughter Traumatized by Driving Zombie
Sleep-deprived driving can be dangerous, but some sleeping pills can also turn you into a driving zombie the next morning. What else can you do?
Does a Low Salt Diet Trigger Insomnia?
A fascinating, but ignored finding from old research on a low salt diet was that the low-sodium diet was linked to serious sleeping problems.
Sleeping Pills, Anti-Anxiety Drugs & Dementia
Sedatives and sleeping pills are taken by millions to calm nerves or sleep but do such drugs pose a risk for dementia? New research is worrisome.
Allergies & Medicine Equal INSOMNIA!
Allergy medicines containing decongestants might equal insomnia. What other options do you have for relief of your stuffy nose?
Will Ginkgo Help Short Term Memory Problems?
Is there any evidence to support the benefit of Ginkgo biloba for memory and cognitive function? Can this herb overcome drugs that interfere with memory?
OTC Allergy Medicines Cause Insomnia
If your allergy pill contains a "D" in the name, there's a good chance that your allergy medication causes insomnia.
Non-Drug Approaches Can Help with Insomnia
Non-drug approaches can often help people get to sleep safely and wake up alert.
Natural Sleep Treatment Helps Depression Too
Sleep issues and depression may be linked and seem to intensify each other. Melatonin is the supplement most often considered for natural sleep treatment.
Sleep-Driving Is Danger with Ambien
Instead of sleeping in bed all night long, some people discover that they have been sleep-driving after taking zolpidem (Ambien).
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