Sleeping Pills Cause Death?

If you take prescription sleeping pills, beware. A new study links sleeping pills with cancer and death.

If you use prescription sleep aids, you have an increased risk for cancer and premature death. Such pills on the list are:

• Ambien (zolpedim)
• Restoril (temazepam)
• Lunesta (eszopiclone)
• Sonata (zaleplone)

Those who take only a few are still at risk. If you take more than 18 sleeping pills in a year, your risk is increased. For people who take more than 132 sleeping pills in a year, the risk is 5 times more.

Another study confirms this information. The study was conducted by British medical publication and it's findings were: Those who take prescription sleep medications are 35% more likely to get cancer.

Prescription sleep aids are causing untimely deaths in many people and many times they don't even work well. Is the risk greater than the reward? There is an alternative.

You can use calming herbs to help you sleep. If you are skeptical, don't be ridiculous. You shouldn't give up trying something new just because you think it may not work. You may find that it works better than your prescription.

Valerian root is probably the best herb for insomnia. It's known as a tranquilizer and sedative that will really help you sleep. It's only a few dollars at walmart. Seriously it's worth a try. You can find it in the vitamin section. Chamomile tea is great to use before bedtime. It can be found on the tea isle.

If drinking beer tends to make you sleepy, you may try hops for insomnia. You may find it in tea form at some health stores (I'm not sure if this is carried at walmart). You can also buy it online if it's not in any nearby stores.

These herbs are not harmful and as long as you are getting them from a good reputable source, you will know that they are pure. There is nothing wrong with exploring these options if you want to treat your insomnia.

If you wish to ask your doctor first, be skeptical of his/her opinion. Doctors are only specialized in their prescriptions. It's best to ask an herbalist or a natural health consultant, because they have had extensive studies of herbs and their uses. You can call and talk to a qualified master herbalist in a city near you.

Source: latimes.com