People who have trouble sleeping may want to use magnesium supplements to help. Making sure vitamin D levels are adequate also helps.
The practice of hypnosis can help patients manage a wide range of health problems, so long as they are hypnotizable.
Is taking melatonin a reasonable way to manage chronic insomnia? Be aware that there may be hazards like a higher risk of fracture.
Diphenhydramine (DPH) is the antihistamine in the allergy med Benadryl. It makes many drowsy. But DPH pain relievers wake some people up!
Do you have trouble getting a good nights sleep? Many doctors think the answer is sleeping pills for seniors. Why could that be problematic?
Our guests are expert herbalists. They share their knowledge on medicinal herbs to help you stay healthy, from Andrographis to thyme.
Some readers report success with an Ayurvedic herb for insomnia. Could the Indian herb ashwagandha help you sleep better too?
Why don't drug companies, doctors or the FDA tell patients how to stop medications? This is a problem with benzos, antidepressants and PPIs.
People are less likely to raise the foot than the head of the bed. Will either tactic help you overcome insomnia?
A reader reports that drinking tart cherry juice at bedtime leads to sound sleep. Research studies support the benefits of cherries for sleep.
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?
Getting off benzos can be tough. Benzodiazepine dependence is common. Beware "BIND": Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction.
You could use herbal medicine to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia. Digestive upset is a downside to ashwagandha. So is withdrawal.
Some people have found that wearing acupressure wrist bands at bedtime helps them overcome sleep problems without medication.
Corticosteroids are valuable medications. But drugs like prednisone can cause anxiety, depression and other serious psychiatric side effects.
Unfiltered coffee prepared by boiling or French press methods can raise cholesterol. Filtered coffee has numerous health benefits.
Millions of people take OTC pain relievers to combat insomnia. Do they realize that these "PM" sleeping pills have anticholinergic activity?
Adequate sleep and vitamin D supplements could help boost immunity against colds or the flu during the winter season.
Many people find that acupressure wrist bands, correctly placed, can help them get the sleep they need without tossing and turning.
Dr. Jade Wu answers your questions about sleep and overcoming insomnia. She offers information on cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia.
Researchers seeking to discover could insomnia raise your risk for problems found an association with atherosclerosis and heart attacks.
In this episode, Dr. Roger Seheult offers evidence-based tips on staying healthy even when viral infections abound.
A reader found that taking a probiotic product for better digestion also improved sleep. Studies support this observation.
Children of parents who took acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to have trouble sleeping and paying attention.
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.
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.
Hundreds of medicines cause insomnia. Statins like simvastatin may do it. So can corticosteroids and the BP drug amlodipine. Were you warned?
When we hear unfamiliar voices while we sleep, the brain may respond with micro-arousal even if we don't wake.
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 the antihistamine diphenhydramine (DPH) increase the risk of dementia? What about anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder (OAB)?
The old rules of sleep hygiene are too general to be helpful. Dr. Rafael Pelayo offers specific science-based suggestions on how to sleep.
Research shows that lonely older people are more likely to be prescribed potentially risky drugs for depression, anxiety, insomnia or pain.
PM pain meds contain diphenhydramine. This anticholinergic drugs is controversial, but it could make sense short term for someone in pain.
Research shows that saffron extract from crocus stamens can ease insomnia and depression and slow the progress of macular degeneration.
The popular sleeping pill zolpidem has a lower recommended dose for women because they eliminate it from their bodies more slowly.
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.
Noting President Trump's list of medications, readers wonder: can melatonin help in treating the coronavirus? It can help with sleep.
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!
A compound from Cannabis plants may help ease anxiety. But there is limited research on whether you can use CBD to help you sleep.
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.
Pulling an all-nighter has worse consequences for chronic insomniacs than for people who normally sleep well. What can you do to get to sleep?
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?
Millions of people take PM sleeping pills. These are promoted as nighttime pain relievers. How does the antihistamine diphenhydramine impact the brain?
A reader wonders: Could ashwagandha help you sleep? Although this Indian herb has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, there are no scientific studies.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Do you ever read the FDA's black box warning? There are new cautions about Ambien (zolpidem), eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zaleplon (Sonata). Sleep driving!
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.
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.
Researchers say there is another drug epidemic in addition to opioids. Doctors are prescribing more benzodiazepines than ever for longer periods of time.
A reader wonders whether therapeutic frankincense can overcome insomnia. The aroma may be relaxing, especially in combination with lavender and mandarin.
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.
The scent of lavender oil can help reduce anxiety and overcome sleeplessness in people undergoing surgery. Might it help you too?
People taking benzodiazepines like clonazepam for insomnia are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Could benzos increase the risk for dementia?
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 it possible to be arrested for driving under the inflluence (DUI) while taking Ambien (zolpidem)? This reader was. Others have ended up in the hospital.
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.
A popular sleeping pill, zolpidem, might wreck your digestion. Be sure to use it only short term to avoid serious problems.
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?
A Chinese fungus called Xylaria nigripes has a reputation for fighting insomnia, but there isn't much research on its effectiveness.
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?
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
The antidepressant amitriptyline is prescribed for nerve pain, fibromyalgia, insomnia or migraines. Can amitriptyline cause memory problems?
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?
When a medication leads to low magnesium levels, you might have trouble sleeping. Restoring magnesium with supplements could help.
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.
Melatonin is a very popular dietary supplement. How good is it for promoting sleep. Are there melatonin side effects you should know about?
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.
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!
Valerian root has traditionally been used to help people sleep better. Scientific studies seem to support its usefulness, though more research is needed.
Applying milk of magnesia to your armpits can cut body odor. Scientists haven't seen proof that much magnesium is absorbed through the skin.
Will taking magnesium help you sleep? One reader reports that magnesium glycinate counteracts insomnia without causing diarrhea or loose stools.
Melatonin helps shift workers and people with jet lag get to sleep. Will melatonin under your tongue help you drift off with greater ease?
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.
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.
A modest amount of research supports one reader's discovery that magnesium supplements help her sleep better all night long.
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.
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.
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.
If patients are warned about Zolpidem (Ambien) side effects they may be told about morning hangover or driving impairment. Indigestion may not be mentioned.
Can you learn how to sleep without zolpidem? There are many nondrug approaches, but you may need to taper the dose of zolpidem first.
Many athletes and the rest of us could benefit from sleeping longer. Would you like to be stronger and smarter? Consider sleep loading.
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.
About half of breast cancer survivors plagued with insomnia found that practicing tai chi, a Chinese martial art, helped them sleep better.
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.
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.
Taking melatonin to get to sleep may benefit bones by improving bone density.
A reader who read about acupressure wrist bands convinced her teenage daughter to try them. They worked better than sleeping pills.
Relying on OTC sleeping pills containing diphenhydramine could contribute to brain fog the next day and confusion or memory problems over the long run.
Studying the nerve connections in sleeping mice, scientists concluded that synapses shrink during sleep. This promotes learning when mice are awake.
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.
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.
Relying too heavily on an OTC sleep aid or PM pain reliever can contribute to cognitive decline.
It is important to be well-rested before getting behind the wheel. Drowsy driving is involved in about 20 percent of fatal car crashes.
One reader reported that conquering a Diet Coke addiction also led to better sleep at night without the need for medication.
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.
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?
Valerian extract may help you get a good night's sleep without the next-day drowsiness typical of over-the-counter sleep aids.
When chronic insomniacs have a hard time getting a good night's sleep their doctors sometimes come up with some worrisome sleeping pill cocktails.
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?
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?
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.
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 or herbal oil applied before bedtime helps this reader get a really good night's sleep.
When sleep is interrupted with awakenings, the results for mood are as bad as not getting enough time in bed to sleep.
Sipping tart cherry juice before bedtime offers a natural approach to overcoming insomnia.
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.
When people try cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, the results are equivalent to taking a sleeping pill, but there are no dangerous side effects.
Although popular sleeping pills can be helpful for occasional insomnia, chronic use poses hazards and may lead to confusion and forgetfulness in time.
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?
Beauty products may contain caffeine to reduce puffiness and wrinkles, but this stimulant can be absorbed through the skin.
Mindfulness awareness practice boosted sleep quality among older adults who had trouble sleeping well.
A half-hour nap can undo some of the metabolic damage from a night of sleep deprivation.
An sweet smelling pillow aided sleep. What were the herbal ingredients?
Using an e-reader before bedtime may interfere with sleep.
Eating half a banana at bedtime helps reader get to sleep.
People with insomnia are caught between the dangers of not getting enough sleep and the serious side effects of sleeping pills.
The sleeping pill Lunesta (eszopiclone) has had very appealing TV commercials. The luna moth flits through the window peacefully. What about side effects?
Non-drug approaches offer safe ways to get to sleep and beat insomnia.
During deep sleep, cerebrospinal fluid flows out of the brain, washing away some Alzheimer's disease proteins.
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?
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.
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.
Allergy medicines containing decongestants might equal insomnia. What other options do you have for relief of your stuffy nose?
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?
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 often help people get to sleep safely and wake up alert.
Sleep issues and depression may be linked and seem to intensify each other. Melatonin is the supplement most often considered for natural sleep treatment.
Instead of sleeping in bed all night long, some people discover that they have been sleep-driving after taking zolpidem (Ambien).