New Delhi, November 3 (IANS). The pills you use to get good sleep can have a negative impact on your life. A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health Americas has shown that if middle-aged and elderly people stop taking sleeping pills, they can have a better old age.
Researchers found that stopping the use of sleeping pills could reduce the risk of falls by about 9 percent, improve thinking ability, and increase lifespan by an average of one month. This step can also save thousands of dollars on healthcare and medicines.
The research was led by Henke Haven Johnson of the Department of Health Policy and Economics at the University of Southern California. In this research, the benefits of reducing dependence on sleeping medicines were emphasized.
Johnson said that reducing the use of sleeping pills in the elderly can improve their physical and mental health, so that they can enjoy a more active life.
According to the study, more than 15 million Americans aged 50 and older regularly use sleeping pills. That too when medical warnings have been issued continuously regarding the adverse effects of prolonged use.
Insomnia affects about half of people age 65 and older and is often associated with other health problems, such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, and dementia. However, researchers warn that long-term use of sleeping pills may increase the incidence of sleep walking, nightmares, and falls.
Data from the ‘Federal Health and Retirement Study’ were analyzed. The study found that the greatest improvement in the trial was seen in participants aged 65 to 74 years.
It was observed that when people of this age group quit sleeping pills, they not only looked physically healthy, but also became mentally alert and their lifespan also increased.
Experts have described Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) as a more effective and safe alternative to medication for insomnia.
Senior researcher Dr. Jason and his team said that the therapy focuses on changing sleep-related behavior and thinking, which does not cause side effects associated with sleeping pills and gives the person long-term rest.
These results highlight the potential dangers of relying on sleeping pills to manage long-term insomnia. Experts recommend that elders reduce their dependence on medications and talk to their doctors or health care providers about alternative therapies like CBT-I. Claimed that they would definitely get benefits.
–IANS
kr/