A THING OR TWO YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SLEEPING PILLS
This is a radically shortened, edited and augmented version of an article by Dr. Jerry Segal. To see the article in its original form, click here.
This is the main message, short and sweet: get off the sleeping pills! they're dangerous!
Pharmacists in the United States filled more than 56 million prescriptions for sleeping pills (also called "hypnotics") in 2008 at a cost of $4.5 billion--a 70% increase from 2002! These are among the most advertised, most prescribed and most profitable drugs. Although many prescriptions are given for short-term use of about two weeks, two-thirds of all sleeping pills are consumed by chronic users who have taken hypnotics for an average of five years or more.
Most sleeping pills (e.g., Valium, Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata) act on the benzodiazepine site or "receptor" in cell membranes. The state induced is not "natural" sleep.
Studies in which insomnia subjects were randomly assigned to either placebo or benzodiazepine sleeping pills reported that the rate of depression was doubled in those who took sleeping pills. Other troubling consequences of sleeping pill use are: memory problems, falls, aggressiveness, confusion. Sleepwalking, sleep eating and driving while not fully awake are common side effects. (I know someone who was in a terrible car accident while on Ambien. Fortunately, she was unharmed but she had no recollection at all of the accident. Scary!)
Those taking sleeping pills can be expected to feel a short term relief from insomnia when they first begin taking the pills. Short-term usage, however, frequently leads to chronic usage and dependence.
The most troubling consequence of chronic sleeping pill is an apparent reduction in lifespan in chronic sleeping pill users relative to those reporting equivalent insomnia who did not take sleeping pills. Chronic sleeping pill use might be roughly comparable to cigarette smoking in its effect on lifespan.
The life-shortening effect of chronic sleeping pill usage has now been reported in at least 12 studies published in respected peer-reviewed publications. Two studies have reported no effect of hypnotic usage on lifespan. No study has reported any lifespan or overall health benefit of chronic sleeping pill usage, which is striking considering that so much of the research on sleeping pills is funded by the drug companies producing them.
Insomnia can be a devastating problem. In those cases where depression, chronic anxiety, pain or other medical problems cause insomnia, these underlying problems need to be treated rather than just addressing the sleep symptoms resulting from these problems.
There are non-drug treatments of insomnia that can be more effective than sleeping pill use. One pillar of these treatments is withdrawal from drugs--the most common of which is caffeine--present not only in coffee but in soft drinks, chocolate and many other foods. Maintaining regular sleep times seven days a week can also be helpful. Alcohol can induce sleep, but produces a rebound sleep disruption a few hours after sleep onset.
Some ayurvedic/natural medicine remedies: avoid sensory stimulation (TV, computers, loud music, talking on the phone, etc.) an hour or two before bed. massage the head and soles of the feet with warm sesame oil before bed. take a warm bath. do some mild stretching. meditate. drink warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg or chamomile tea. try an herbal sleep aid with passionflower, hops, chamomile, valerian and/or magnesium.
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INTRODUCING: ENERGY-BALANCING TREATMENTS (Marma Chikitsa)
This deeply-relaxing-yet-energizing treatment is conducted in my Oak Street office. We will briefly discuss how you are feeling that day (physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually...or all of the above). You will then lie down, fully clothed but without shoes, on my massage table. The space around you will be misted with neroli (orange blossom) water and soothing music will be playing in the background. You will be encouraged to breathe deeply and slowly while I begin to use my fingertips and palms to apply pressure to various healing points on your scalp, face and body. Your mind will drift in and out. You may even fall asleep. Sometimes emotions rise to the surface--this is a safe environment for their release. Treatments will be personalized and vary based on the client's condition.
Specific essential oils (sandalwood, lavender, lemon, bergamot, nutmeg, lemongrass, ginger, fennel, eucalyptus, etc.) will be hand-picked for your treatment and used sometimes for their aromas and, at other times, directly on the skin to stimulate a marma point. Marma points are ayurvedic acupressure points. They can be stimulated by applying pressure with fingertips or palms of the hand (no needles!) which is both relaxing and releases energetic blocks. Marmas are used therapeutically to balance doshas, alleviate emotional holding and heal such conditions as insomnia, overweight, arthritis, under-active thyroid, muscle pain, sinus pressure, high or low blood pressure, acid reflux, constipation, bloating, fatigue, headaches, water retention, menstrual issues, low immunity, poor concentration, TMJ, back pain and skin disorders.
With this treatment, blockages and restrictions in your energy field are cleared to free the flow and restore it to its natural state of balance.
Sometimes the condition you initially seek treatment for may not be the first thing that changes. The effects of marma therapy are cumulative and several sessions may be necessary.
Please note: This treatment is not a substitute for proper medical care. I am not a medical-care provider and, at my discretion, I may require you to see your primary-care physician before I will administer this treatment. Also, please tell me in advance of any allergies you may have.
60 minutes, $85.00 Introductory Price
Please call 312.445.8532
or email KK@KKAyurveda.com to schedule an appointment. Marma Chikitsa
is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, for now.
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NEW PRODUCT: COOLANT (hot flash relief spray)!
This cooling spray, made in a base of rosewater, contains rose, peppermint, geranium, lavender and a few more cooling and hormone-balancing essential oils. The initial testers of this spray were so enthusiastic about its effectiveness that i decided to add it as a permanent product!
Spray yourself and your bedding nightly to keep hot flashes at bay. Also to be used whenever you're melting down. Spray the back of your neck, chest, wrists, etc. Take a few deeps breaths and feel the cool.
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Rose Hydrosol, Essential Oil Blend including: Rose, Peppermint, Geranium and Lavender. Purchase it here!
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RECIPE: Haalwa (sweet spiced cream of wheat)
Haalwa is one of my favorite sweet Indian dishes. It's soothing to both vata and pitta. Not so great for kapha which is why I love it, of course! It makes a good breakfast dish or dessert. One version I particularly enjoyed had dates and bananas in it.
This recipe comes from my friend Joseph's site, Joyful Belly. Click here for this and many other ayurvedic recipes and tips.
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