Sleep aids increase the risk of death and cancer

Study: Increased risk of cancer and death from sleeping pills

28/02/2012

The health risks of taking sleeping pills are apparently greater than previously thought. US researchers have found in a comprehensive study that the use of sleeping pills is associated with an increased risk of cancer and death.

According to scientists around Dr. Daniel F. Kripke of the Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Center, California, the risk of dying from taking sleeping pills has more than tripled. As part of their study, the US researchers analyzed the health consequences of various sleeping pills, „including zolpidem, temazepam, zaleplon, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and sedative antihistamines“, reports Kripke on the online portal of the „British Medical Journal“ (BMJ Open).

As part of their study, the US scientists had the data from a total of more than 34,000 subjects from the years 2002 to 2007 evaluated. There were 10,529 study participants in the prescription of sleeping pills, 23,676 did not take such medication and served as a control group. The average age of the subjects was 54 years. The analgesic and control group data were adjusted in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnic origin and risk factors such as smoking or alcohol intake and many other parameters to ensure comparability of results, write Daniel Kripke and colleagues.

Death risk quadrupled, cancer likelihood increased by 35 percent
The result of the investigations of the US researchers is frightening. Even taking sleeping pills less than 18 days a year, the risk of dying over the next two and a half years was 3.5 times higher than in the control group. With the frequency of taking painkillers, the risk of death of the subjects also increased, according to Kripke and colleagues. Prescribing sleeping pills 18 to 132 days per year has already quadrupled the risk of dying and even quintupled it by more than 132 days per year when taking sleeping pills. According to the researchers, no significant difference was observed between the different sleeping pills considered. Even the modern, supposedly particularly compatible preparations showed a significantly increased risk of death of the subjects. But not only the general risk of premature death has increased by the use of sleeping pills, but also the likelihood of cancer increased in sleeping pills by up to 35 percent, the US researchers report.

Causes of increased risk of dying from sleeping pills
The US scientists were unable to make any specific statements about the possible causes of the connection between the use of sleeping pills and the risk of cancer or death. However, it can be assumed that „the direct lethality“ the sleeping aid „probably rather low“ is, emphasized Daniel Kripke. However, the side effects of sleeping pills in the opinion of the expert could certainly play a role. Because some sleeping pills may trigger depression and increase the risk of suicide, said Kripke. In addition, the sleeping pills occasionally also cause impairments during the day, which may, for example, cause an increased risk of accidents in road traffic. As further health risks of sleeping pills and possible causes of increased mortality, the US researchers, for example, mention the observed for some sleeping pills short-term suspension of breathing during sleep. This leads to impairment of the heart and have a correspondingly negative impact on health. Also, some sleep aids affect the digestive tract, as a result, the stomach contents rise above the esophagus and can attack the mucous membranes. This may favor infections, which in turn may have an impact on the risk of death, write Kripke and colleagues.

Too little effect of sleeping pills?
However, the sleep disorders themselves could be responsible for the increased risk of death of those affected, so the statement by the Chairman of the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine, Ingo Fietze, in a comment to the current study compared to the „South German newspaper“. Thus, the insufficient effect of sleeping pills may be responsible for the increased mortality risk because „It has long been known that lack of sleep lowers life expectancy“, explained Fietze. And only „In 20 percent of the patients, we really achieve a feeling good sleep with the tablets, with more than 70 percent of the sleep remains disturbed“, said the chairman of the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine. Regardless of the exact causes of the increased cancer and mortality risk identified by US researchers, however, the results should always be considered. Especially since, according to the US researchers, previous studies have already provided clear evidence of increased mortality from sleeping pills. Non-drug approaches to treating sleep disorders are always preferable in order to avoid unnecessary health risks.

Sleep hygiene to avoid sleep disorders
Strict adherence to sleep hygiene is, in the opinion of the experts, the alpha and omega of avoiding sleep problems. This means that the bed is slept exclusively - no TV is running and no book is taken to bed. In the morning, people with sleep problems should always get up at the same time and go to bed in the evening when they are really tired. In addition, a reduction in bed times can show quite positive effects overall. If these simple measures fail to provide any relief, those affected should consult with an experienced therapist who will tailor treatment tailored to their individual needs. Here also different sleep aids can be used, whereby purely herbal active substances offer from naturopathic point of view clear advantages with the treatment of sleep disturbances. They can achieve the same effect as synthetic sleep aids and have no comparable side effects. (Fp)

Also read:
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Picture credits: Rainer Sturm