The latest research reveals that repetitive use of several commonly recognized over-the-counter sleep aids can be extremely risky to the extended health of yours. This may reinforce the trend towards the usage of natural sleep aids instead. Based on a new study by Indiana University School of Medicine, traditional over-the-counter sleep aids are negatively impacting the brain, causing long-term cognitive impairment. In a six-year study, more than 1600 African-Americans over the age of 70 were evaluated. Their over-the-counter and prescription medications have been tracked.

The outcome was stunning. They learned that taking one anticholinergic medication increased a person’s risk of getting mild cognitive impairment, that include gradual memory loss. Taking two of them doubled the danger! In other words, in case you’re consuming these drugs, you’re literally destroying the brain of yours. The researchers are next likely to concentrate on finding out whether the impairment may be reversible, or if the harm stays permanent.

Just what are anticholinergic prescriptions? You can find them in your local drug store under the brands of Benadryl, Dramamine, Excedrin PM, metaboost connection system reviews Nytol, Sominex, Tylenol PM, plus Unisom. Prescription versions are Paxil, Elavil, Demerol and Detro.

Sometimes the most common side effect, memory loss, is not the sole danger. In fact, another active ingredient in Tylenol PM, acetaminophen (a commonly used non steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic or NSAID) is thought to become the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits and 456 deaths annually, according to studies completed between 1990 as well as 1998.

Acetaminophen is one of the most typical pharmaceutical representatives involved in overdose, as reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. In the United States, acetaminophen toxicity has replaced viral hepatitis as the most frequent cause of severe hepatic disaster, and also it is the next most common reason for liver failure requiring transplantation in the United States.

Obviously, acetaminophen isn’t a nasty drug. Most emergency room visits are due to overdose issues. People have the habit to combine various medicines with the same active ingredient, without realizing it can cause a life threatening situation.

Actually are natural sleep aids safe? Categorically, indeed. None of the widely used substances in natural sleep aids made it with regard to the recently published list of unsafe dietary supplements developed by Consumer Reports. It is not a surprise that folks are switching to organic sleep aids to find a permanent and healthy solution to the occasional sleep problems of theirs.

Probably the most popular natural sleep aid is melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone. Circulating levels of melatonin vary over the course of the day. When it gets dark, the pineal gland of the brain of yours begins secreting melatonin, and this allows you to be worn out and drop off. Melatonin has very few likely side effects, but they are rare and minor compared to memory loss or liver damage. In several scientific tests, melatonin has been shown to cause very few, if any negative effects in the very short run (three months or less). In larger doses of at least 3 milligrams, some people get minor side effects including headaches or maybe morning grogginess.