Article: NEW SLEEPING PILLS SAFER, BUT USE CAUTIOUSLY.(Living)

In search of slumber, many insomniacs - especially older ones - turn to pills. Roughly half of all women and one in four men over 65 take some type of sleep aid at least occasionally. That's usually not a good idea.

According to a study reported in Consumer Reports Health Letter, older people are particularly at risk from sleeping pills.

A prescription sleeping pill used occasionally helps people fall asleep only about 20 minutes sooner than they otherwise would have and stay asleep half an hour longer. Worse, sleeping pills can actually cause sleep disturbances. They can rob you of deep sleep and cause more wakeful periods during the night. And sleeping ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!