Insomnia
Will Melatonin Under Your Tongue Ease Insomnia?
Millions of Americans suffer with insomnia. They have trouble falling asleep, or they wake in the middle of the night and toss and turn when they can't get back to sleep. When they stumble out of bed …
Do You Take Magnesium to Get to Sleep?
Adequate sleep is a cornerstone of good health, but far too many of us don't get enough. We stay up late staring at screens, whether for work or entertainment. Perhaps we get up early for a long commu…
Should Your Doctor Know You Are Not Sleeping?
Are you sleeping enough, or are you missing out? Sleep scientist Matthew Walker says that skimping on sleep can shorten your life. The Effects of Sleeping Less Than Six Hours Nightly: Dr. Matthew base…
Will Magnesium Help You Sleep Better All Night?
Have you ever wakened far too early and resigned yourself to tossing and turning until time to get up? This scenario is common. We were pleased to learn that one reader found a simple supplement could…
Evening Screen Time Disrupts Sleep-Are There Sol…
Have you ever checked email, Facebook or Twitter before shutting down your computer, laptop, tablet or phone? If so, you would not be alone. Many people watch late night television or review email or …
Will Trazodone Be a Great Sleeping Pill?
In any given year, nearly one-third of North Americans have trouble with insomnia, and between 4 and 7 percent have prolonged difficulty sleeping (LeBlanc et al, Sleep, Aug. 2009). It isn't any wonder…
How To Get Back to Sleep In the Middle of the Ni…
According to the CDC, 33% of Americans don't get adequate sleep. Chronic insomnia is linked to all sorts of serious health problems including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease and depress…
Do Zolpidem (Ambien) Side Effects Include Horrib…
Zolpidem remains a very popular prescription sleeping aid. When it was only available as the brand name drug Ambien, millions took it to get a "good night's sleep." These days zolpidem (Ambien) side e…
How Can You Get to Sleep Without Zolpidem?
Americans tend to be sleep deprived, and the problem may be getting worse. Watching the evening news could be enough to make a person anxious, and anxiety frequently leads to insomnia. No wonder so m…
Could Sleeping Longer Make You Quicker?
Sleep deprivation has been associated with a range of problems, from metabolic disturbances to lack of concentration and judgment (Khan & Aouad, Sleep Medicine Clinics, June 2017). Sleeping longer…
If Ambien Is Out, How Can You Get to Sleep?
Insomnia is a serious problem for millions of Americans. Older adults often have difficulty getting to sleep, and many rely on sleeping pills. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) …
Could Tai Chi Help You Overcome Insomnia?
Up to 30 percent of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have trouble sleeping. They may be understandably worried about their condition and unable to sleep for that reason. Lying awake ca…
Is Clever Home Remedy for Insomnia Hurting Your …
We love simple approaches to common problems, so when we heard about a clever home remedy for insomnia we were intrigued. The approach takes advantage of an acupressure point that is supposed to help …
How Can You Stop Taking Klonopin for Insomnia?
When you are feeling stressed and can't seem to get to sleep, medicines can help. Many people have found, however, that it is too easy to rely on a sleep aid. Then, when you no longer feel you need th…
How to Get to Sleep Without Weakening Your Bones
Sleep can be elusive, and many people have great difficulties getting enough. The problem is not that people don't value sleep: most have heard that inadequate sleep may predispose us to health prob…
How Did Teens Find Something Better Than Sleepin…
Sleep is precious, but it can be elusive. Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, and the problem may be even worse for adolescents. They still need more sleep than adults, but their daily slee…
Is Diphenhydramine for Sleeping Bad for Your Hea…
Getting a good night's sleep is one of the pillars of good health, but for many people it is a real struggle. They toss and turn, worrying that they won't be able to fall asleep at all. It is no wonde…
How to Use Magnesium to Get to Sleep
Americans aren't getting enough sleep. Shift work, late night television and various health problems such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome can all contribute to inadequate rest. Sleep dep…
Scientists Study Mice to Learn about Sleep
Sleep is crucial for healthy brain function. Scientists reached that conclusion from a four-year study of mice. Their research delved deep into the physiology of neuronal connections. What Did the Stu…
Will Wine at Dinner Mess Up Your Sleep?
If you have trouble sleeping, as so many people do, you might want to consider whether something you are doing could be contributing to the problem. One reader discovered inadvertently that a glass of…
Can You Turn Off Your Brain to Get a Good Night&…
Getting a good night's sleep can be quite a challenge. Some people find it difficult to wind down and relax enough, even though they are tired, that they can finally drift off and get the rest they ne…
Will Your Sleep Aid Make You Stupid?
Getting a good night's sleep can be an ongoing challenge. As a result, people try every possible option they can. A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports has found that a large number of people …
Is Drowsy Driving Really as Risky as Drunk Drivi…
Are you guilty of drowsy driving? Most of us are at one time or another, but driving when you are too tired can be more dangerous than you realize. Inadequate sleep makes drivers far more hazardous o…
Did Diet Coke Addiction Lead to Insomnia?
Sleeping problems are so widespread that it sometimes seems impossible to finger the culprit. But it is certainly worthwhile, since adequate sleep is a pillar of good health. One reader discovered by…
People Continue to Complain About Generic Ambien…
We have received so many complaints about generic Ambien that we have lost count. We notified the FDA years ago about this problem but so far there seems to be no interest in finding out what the prob…
How Safe is Nightly Lorazepam for Bad Insomnia?
Millions of people suffer chronic insomnia. They toss and turn and worry about the consequences of inadequate sleep. The trouble is that almost all the drugs that are prescribed come with side effects…
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep with an He…
As people learn about the possible downsides of using sleeping pills for a long time, many are searching for a better, safer way to get a good night's sleep. People with serious, long-standing insomn…
Did Sleeping Pill Cocktail Leave Insomniac Zombi…
Tens of millions of people have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. They are frequently told that inadequate sleep can contribute to a variety of health problems from weight gain and hypert…
Do Sleeping Pills Increase the Risk of Dementia?
Although heart disease and cancer remain our big killers, nothing spells dread more than a diagnosis of dementia. Losing the ability to think, remember or function is devastating to the individual as …
Are You Desperate for a Good Night’s Sleep…
We hear from an extraordinary number of people who cannot get a good night's sleep. Some have had long-term insomnia for no apparent reason. They just cannot fall asleep. They toss and turn for hours…
Insulin Sensitivity Restored by Catching Up on L…
Sleep loss over a period of months can make a person more susceptible to serious health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. If you use the weekends for catching up on lost sleep, howev…
Are You Risking a Car Crash on Ambien?
One popular prescription sleeping pill is zolpidem, sold under the brand name Ambien. Americans have been taking it to get to sleep for more than a decade. It is currently available as a generic drug …
Lavender-Scented Lotion Is Better Than a Lullaby
Given all the concerns about the safety of sleeping pills, it's no surprise that some folks prefer a natural approach. There are plenty of suggestions: get enough exercise; take a hot bath an hour bef…
Multiple Awakenings at Night Affect Mood in the …
Does losing sleep make you grumpy? You are not alone. Awakenings Are as Troublesome as Short Sleep Time: Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that numerous awakenings during the night can have jus…
Tart Cherry Juice for a Better Night’s Res…
Q. I have suffered with insomnia for years. Now that I am in my 60s the problem is worse than ever. I started using Benadryl at night with my doctor's approval, but it makes me groggy in the morning. …
Why Does Benadryl Wake Her Up?
Most medications have expected results. And most of the time, people respond in predictable ways. But every so often, someone reacts quite differently. With respect to diphenydramine (DPH), this parad…
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is First Choice for…
A new analysis of previous studies has found that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective against insomnia and should be the first choice for treatment. The researchers considered 20 randomized cont…
Popular Sleeping Pills Raise Risk of Dementia
People with chronic insomnia are caught in a difficult dilemma. Too many popular sleeping pills may affect cognitive function and contribute to a potential risk of dementia in later years. Q. I am hav…
Safety Concerns Mount for Sleeping Pill Zolpidem…
A brand new analysis by the ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) Quarter Watch reveals a surprisingly high incidence of problems associated with the sleeping pill zolpidem. It is found in Am…
Caffeine in her Night Cream Was Waking Her Up
Q. As an active, fit woman in my 50s, I found it increasingly hard to sleep at night. I would go to bed exhausted and finally fall asleep, only to awaken one hour later, unable to get back to sleep. I…