You may remember the comedian Irene Ryan as Granny on "The Beverly Hillbillies," but does the name Jerry Brutsche ring a bell? He was her stunt double for 20 episodes from 1963 to 1970. So when Granny-after making and sampling a batch of moonshine-would do cartwheels, chances are it was actually her stunt double Jerry risking life and limb.
Since it's unlikely that you have a stunt double, you're on your own when it comes to handling slips, falls and cartwheels. If you're 65 or older and are going to start using prescription sleeping pills or "Z-drugs" (zolpidem, zaleplon and zopiclone), watch your step! Your odds of falling and fracturing a hip are more than doubled in the first two weeks of your new prescription, and that's a serious risk. According to a study in BioMed Central, 20 percent of women and 30 percent of men over 65 years old die within 12 months of a hip fracture.
Our advice:
- Check to make sure a medication, such as an antidepressant, corticosteroid, diuretic or antihypertensive, isn't the cause of your insomnia.
- Ramp up daily walking (get sun exposure!) and other exercise. It'll dispel stress, reset your body clock and ease joint and muscle pain.
- Before bedtime, mindful meditation will quiet your mind.
- Join a club, or volunteer. Increasing social interaction eases stress, making sleep easier.
Then, if your doc thinks an insomnia medication is still needed, make sure you're steady on your feet when getting out of bed, and exercise caution when walking around.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit www.sharecare.com.
(c) 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.