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Drugs commonly taken for common medical conditions negatively affect your brain causing long term cognitive impairment. These drugs referred to as anticholinergics, block acetylcholine which is a nervous system neurotransmitter.
The list of drugs include such common over-the-counter brands as Dramamine, Benadryl, Excedrin PM, Nytol, Sominex, Tylenol PM, and Unisom.
Other anticholinergic drugs, such as Detrol, Paxil, Demerol and Elavil are available only by prescription.
Researchers conducted a 6 year observational study that evaluated 1,652 Indianapolis area African-Americans over the age of 70 who had normal cognitive function. Taking one anticholinergic significantly increased an individual’s risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and taking two of these drugs doubled this risk.
Many view over-the-counter drugs as safe because they don’t require a prescription. In fact, many over-the-counter drugs were previously carefully monitored prescription drugs. Motrin was the first non-salicylate prescription NSAID. Now it is a popular over-the-counter ibuprofen option. Similarly, anti-ulcer drugs like Zantec, Tagamet, and Prilosec used to be controlled. Now they can all be easily purchased in a smaller over-the-counter strength that nearly doubles the number of pills required to equal the prescription dose.
Just because a drug is available without a prescription does not make it any less dangerous. It is still a chemical, which in no way, shape, or form treats the cause of the problem and can lead to complications that can seriously injure, if not kill, you or someone you love.
So this is clearly important information that can help you or someone you love reduce your risk of dementia as you get older. Based on the findings of this study, I would strongly recommend that seniors in particular avoid all anticholinergic drugs, like Benadryl (generic is diphenhydramine) which is a pervasive and commonly used in virtually all of the over-the-counter sleeping pills. Researchers will continue studying the matter to see whether anticholinergic-induced cognitive impairment can be reversed.
What are Anticholinergic Drugs?Anticholinergic drugs block a nervous system neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease typically have a marked shortage of acetylcholine. Anticholinergic drugs are available both over-the-counter and by prescription, as medications used for a variety of symptoms can have this effect. Examples include antihistamine, night-time pain relievers, and other sleep aids, such as:Tylenol PM, Excedrin PM, Nytol, Sominex, Unisom, Benadryl, and Dramamine
Prescription drugs with anticholinergic effects include certain medications to control incontinence, antidepressants, and certain narcotic pain relievers. Examples of prescription meds in these categories include: Detrol, Paxil, Demerol, Elavil, and A Special Note for Aspartame ‘Reactors’
Many of the drugs listed as well as a long list of additional ones, contain diphenhydramine. You need to also beware that chewable tablets and rapidly disintegrating tablets that contain diphenhydramine may be sweetened with aspartame.
Anticholinergic Drugs Increases Dementia in the Elderly
Benadryl and Sominex have been found to cause hallucinations in the elderly, and a number of the drugs on the list also cause dental decay.
The results indicate that drugs with anticholinergic effects is another piece of the puzzle that might explain the sharp rise in dementia and cognitive decline.
Dementia strikes about 50 % of people who reach the age of 85. Of those, about 60% go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease according to the University of Michigan. .
53% of the participants used a possible anticholinergic, and 11 % used a definitive anticholinergic drug.
They found that those who took drugs classified as definite anticholinergics had a four times higher incidence of cognitive impairment.
Even More Reasons to Ditch the Sleep Meds
In 2008, Americans filled more than 56 million prescriptions for sleeping pills and spent more than $600 million on over-the-counter sleep aids. Anticholinergic sleep medications in particular may be causing far more harm than good, especially long term, without providing any benefit at all.
CBC News reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has had data for 15 years which shows that over-the-counter sleep aids like Excedrin PM and Tylenol PM do not offer any significant benefit to patients. There’s no explanation for why the FDA took 15 years to evaluate the industry’s research.
Another analysis of sleeping pill studies from 2007 found that sleeping pills like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata reduced the average time to go to sleep by just under 13 minutes compared with placebo pills.
You’may suffer withdrawal symptoms that could be worse than your initial insomnia. Some, such as Ambien, may also become less effective when taken for longer than two weeks, which means you may find yourself needing ever higher dosages.
Sleeping pills, Ambien in particular, are also known to increase your risk of getting into a traffic accident. Ambien actually ranks among the top 10 drugs found in the bloodstreams of impaired drivers, according to some state toxicology labs.
Among the elderly, using sleeping pills may increase the risk of nighttime falls and injuries, and anyone who takes them may find they wake up feeling drowsy if the effects of the drug have not worn off yet.
You’re are better off finding safe and natural solutions that will actually address the underlying causes of your sleepless nights instead of just cover up the resulting symptoms.
A Stanford University Medical School study found that after 16 weeks in a moderate-intensity exercise program, subjects were able to fall asleep about 15 minutes earlier and sleep about 45 minutes longer at night. However, don’t exercise too close to bedtime or it may keep you awake.
Calming activities such as journaling, meditating, sipping herbal tea, washing your face, using the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or reading a book may soothe your mind and help you unwind. Be sure your phone, email, and television are all off during this time.
Make sure your sleeping environment is comfortable and conducive to sleep.
This includes keeping the temperature cool, adding in some white noise if you need it and making sure your room is pitch-black. If there is even the tiniest bit of light in the room it can disrupt your circadian rhythm and your pineal gland’s production of melatonin and serotonin. For this reason, I highly recommend adding room-darkening drapes to your bedroom, or if this is not possible wearing an eye mask to block out any stray light.
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