In this episode, Kathy and I are going to be talking about another controversial topic that many of you have probably had some experience with at one time or another…and that’s the issue of sleeping pills and OTC sleep aids. In particular, we will be discussing:
- Why sleeping pills are usually the wrong way of treating insomnia
- Why insomnia may not really be insomnia
- How to wean yourself off sleeping pills
- A non-prescription therapy that’s better than sleeping pills in the long run.
Download mp3 | Subscribe | Transcript
Show Notes:
Americans getting worse at taking sleeping pills
Increase in visits to the ER due to Ambien
Podcast: How to sleep better without medications
Podcast: How medications are harming you
Risk of complications for sleeping pills
Sleeping pills and risk of dying and cancer
Sleeping pills and risk of bony fractures
Zolpidem and risk of Parkinson’s
Insomnia increases risk of dying
Insomnia as a harbinger of mental illness
Insomnia and future risk of heart disease
Insomnia and increased risk of dementia
Krakow’s OSA in treatment resistant insomnia study
Dr. Krakow’s podcast on OSA and Insomnia
Dreams about choking while sleeping
Sleep endoscopy in AHI < 5 study
SLEEPINESS 10 steps: checklist of good sleep habits
Podcast 65: How to sleep better without medications
3 Rs: Sleep restriction, reconditioning and relaxation
Two floppy valves videos
Important points in this article that we should be aware of about prescription about sleeping aids. Thanks for sharing this one out.
Melatonin has worked well for me in the past, but it’s not something that I can take regularly.