Hear that loud ringing? That’s an urgent wakeup call. And millions will be at risk if they ignore it.
The big chill
You’ve heard all the insane stories…people sleep-driving, sleep-cooking, and sleep-exercising. Yes, “hypnotic” sleep aids like Ambien and Lunesta have caused some unusual behavior.
And now we’ve learned it’s even worse.
Because those who use these sleeping pills just 18 times per year are more than THREE times more likely to die prematurely.
But even if you manage to avoid the insanely increased death risk, you’re not still not safe.
Don’t hit the snooze button
Zolpidem is the active ingredient in Ambien, Intermezzo, and other blockbuster sleep drugs.
I’ve already listed a few of zolpidem’s notorious side effects. Pop one before bed and you might spend the next few hours sleepwalking. But that’s nothing compared to cooking, eating, driving, and even shoplifting under the influence.
More common side effects include dizziness, double vision, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and joint pain.
So you can just imagine. Combine the bizarro side effects with the garden variety side effects, and these adverse events sometimes play out in the extreme.
In the new report, researchers say the rate of zolpidem-related ER visits has shot through the roof. Emergencies more than DOUBLED between 2005 and 2010!
In 2010 alone, nearly 19,500 zolpidem users went to the ER. In most of these cases, patients were over the age of 45. Many thousands were 65 or older.
So what’s causing all these emergency visits? Research reveals two common risks: car accidents and falls.
But surprisingly, sleep-driving isn’t the top cause of most zolpidem-related car accidents. The crashes tend to occur the morning after. Drowsy with a zolpidem hangover, users believe they’re fine. But when they hit the road, their reaction time might be similar to that of someone who’s been drinking.
This morning-after impairment also causes unsteadiness and falls. And as I’m sure you’re aware, that’s an especially dangerous health risk for anyone 50 and older.
If you or someone you care about uses these drugs, even occasionally, please take these risks very seriously. There are much safer sleep aids available that won’t send you to the ER – or the morgue!
Sources:
“ER visits tied to Ambien and other sleep aids jump 220 percent” Fox News, 5/1/13, foxnews.com
“Zolpidem Is Independently Associated With Increased Risk of Inpatient Falls” Journal of Hospital Medicine, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2013, medscape.com
