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Monday, November 02, 2009
Melatonin can fight insomnia
By Joe & Teresa Graedon
Q: I've had insomnia for the past two years. My doctor has tried me on three different drugs. The side effects were worse than the loss of sleep.
I did some research on melatonin and found it is a sleep aid. I bought some over the counter, and after two months of using it, I now fall sleep easily. Is melatonin natural? Are there any dangers?
A: Melatonin is natural. It is a hormone that our bodies make to help regulate cycles of sleeping and waking.
Studies have shown that melatonin is effective and does not cause rebound insomnia when it is stopped (Journal of Sleep Research, December 2007). In the U.S., melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement; the quality of dietary supplements is largely unregulated.
Q: Milk of magnesia is great for blemishes. I started using it six months ago, and it really helped clear up my skin. I apply it every night before bed and leave it on all night. It can be a bit drying, but it works wonders for acne.
A: There are no studies of topical milk of magnesia for acne, but a letter in the Archives of Dermatology (January 1975) did mention this approach. Many readers also have shared their success with milk of magnesia to counteract blemishes.
Q: When I picked up a prescription from the pharmacy, the pharmacy label had a "use before" date of 09/04/10. The manufacturer's label, under the pharmacy label, had an "expiration" date of Dec. 2012. Why is this?
A: It is more convenient for the pharmacist to put a one-year computer-generated "use by" date on the prescription label than to hunt for the manufacturer's specific expiration date. In some states, the pharmacist is legally required to display a one-year use-by date.
This does not represent a true expiration date. If you request this information when you submit your prescription, the pharmacist could take a little extra time and provide it for you.
Write to the Graedon via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
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