DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 70 years old. I have been a light sleeper for my entire adult life. However, sleep has been more evasive in recent months.
Do you have any non-medical strategies for relief? Across the years I have sometimes taken 25 mg of diphenhydramine for allergies and have noticed some assistance with sleeping. I would only be willing to take medication as a last resort. Please give me a quick, easy fix. Thank you.
DEAR READER:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an antihistamine that is sometimes recommended as a non-habit forming sleep aid because it has sedative properties. This is why you experience some relief when taking the product. It is also sold under the trademark, Simply Sleep for those who do not take it for allergies.
Most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep a day. There is no evidence to support the belief that older individuals require less. [Read more...]