Dangers of Sleeping Pills

According to MIND, millions of Britons today are damaging their health through addiction to sleeping pills.

Withdrawal symptoms can include trembling and shakes, hallucinations, paranoia and epileptic fits. People with medical conditions such as heart disease and breathing difficulties are particularly at risk.

Users can form a chemical dependency to sleeping tablets within just two weeks and experts advise anyone taking sleeping tablets for more than a few nights seek professional advice for withdrawal.

A spokeswoman for MIND commented "You can become dependent on the tablets within just two weeks. Your body very quickly becomes tolerant to them and they don't treat the underlying causes of your sleep problem".

MIND urge the public to seek natural alternatives to sleeping tablets and to make lifestyle changes to combat sleeping problems and depression. These include not drinking tea, coffee and alcohol before bed, eating earlier in the evening, taking exercise and not reading or watching TV in bed.

Tuesday, 27 February 2001