An Unexpected Diet Buster
In case you missed the news the last couple of days, there’s a new and unexpected diet buster lurking in your medicine cabinet…
… sleeping pills.
Yes, sleeping pills like Lunesta and Ambien can, in some cases, cause a strange side effect called sleep-eating.
It’s similar to sleepwalking, but you unconsciously eat instead — often large quantities of high-fat or high-sugar foods.
People taking sleep medications have been known to wake up to empty candy wrappers strewn across their beds. And they have no idea what’s happened.
They may eat odd food combinations like butter on hot dogs.
But it’s not just food. Sleep eaters can consume inappropriate things like soap, too. Sometimes, they leave their stoves on and start a fire.
If this behavior goes on long enough, it’s possible to have a significant weight gain, over 100 pounds in at least 1 case.
Even without taking sleeping pills, this condition can occur (although it’s rare). Many sufferers are overweight and dieting. They’re usually emotionally distressed.
If you suspect you have this condition, you should consult your doctor immediately.
One other warning: if you take sleeping pills, sleep-eating is not the only sleep-related disorder you can have.
Some people also experience sleep-driving. I don’t need to tell you how dangerous that is.
The FDA has ordered the makers of 13 different sleep medications to strengthen their label warnings for 2 rare, but serious, side effects: the sleep-related disorders I’ve already described and life-threatening allergic reactions which can occur with just one dose.
The 13 drugs are Ambien, Butisol sodium, Carbrital, Dalmane, Doral, Halcion, Lunesta, Placidyl, Prosom, Restoril, Rozerem, Seconal, and Sonata.
Technorati Tags: diet, dieting, lose weight, weight loss, sleep-eating, sleep-driving, sleeping pills, diet buster
March 16th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Eating soap? Is that a protein or a carb?
March 16th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Soap sounds like a protein to me.
March 16th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
If I’m gonna eat enuf to gain 100 pounds, I’d want to remember it and I sure wouldn’t want to waste the calories on buttered hot dogs and soap. Ewww!
March 16th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Funny how when they’re asleep the people went for high fat and high sugar foods. Why didn’t anyone eat fruits and veggies?
March 16th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
It’s the sleep driving that would scare me. I’d rather have insomnia.