Elderly hospital patients who are given a common type of sedative to help them sleep may be at increased risk of symptoms of delirium, including disorganized speech, poor attention level and altered ingredient in a range of antihistamines and sleep aids, including a number of over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl and Sominex.
The medication, diphenhydramine, is the active during their stay.
Overall, patients taking diphenhydramine were at a 70% increased risk of symptoms of delirium compared to those who were not.
Further, when they studied the patients for individual symptoms of delirium, they found that they were
According to Agostini, older patients are especially susceptible to the actions of drugs such as diphenhydramine, which are said to have "anticholinergic" effects. These drugs block the actions of an important brain chemical called acetylcholine and can cause hallucinations, among other symptoms.
Methods other than drugs could be used to help patients sleep, including providing a quiet environment for patients during the night and scheduling tests and nursing checks at the least disruptive times.
Archives of Internal Medicine 2001;161:2091-2097
Benadryl (generic is cheaper and called diphenhydramine) has been one of my favorite drugs to use. I have previously written about its usefulness in managing the pain of acute ear infections.
However, it is clear that this commonly used over the counter drug, which is the most common ingredient in sleeping medications, may have adverse reactions in the elderly who have impaired metabolisms.
Benadryl is clearly not the long-term solution for insomnia. Ideally one should address the underlying issues that contribute to the insomnia and not merely cover it up with a potentially dangerous band-aid.
My latest favorite for insomnia is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Most people can learn this gentle tapping technique in several minutes.
EFT can help balance your body's bioenergy system and resolve some of the emotional stresses that are contributing to the insomnia at a very deep level. The results are typically long lasting and the improvement is remarkably rapid.
Please be sure to check the other hints below for getting a good night's sleep.
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