Heath Ledger’s Death Highlights Dangers of Sleeping Pills

Posted January 27, 2008 at 03:00 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: In The News, His Health, Physical Health, Lifestyle Health

Earlier this week, 28-year-old actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment next to a bottle of sleeping pills. Police told CNN reporters that the death was probably an accident, but it has not yet been confirmed. The dangers associated with taking sleeping pills have suddenly been brought to light.

Ledger was known to suffer from lack of sleep, sometimes averaging only two hours per night. Often, he was spotted walking around the park, playing chess with some of the early birds and talking to the locals. Tony Rivera, a retired city worker remembers Ledger always saying “I’m very tired.” he once reported to The New York Times that taking one sleeping pill would have no affect on him. He would have to take a second pill, just to wake up an hour later with his mind still racing.

Ledger was also a large part of the New York club scene, partying hard through all hours of the night and leaving at sunrise. It seems like he never went to sleep, since he would leave the clubs and go right to the park and play chess with the locals. It seemed as though he didn’t care about winning or losing, but he was looking for a way to calm his mind so he could finally rest. Ledger’s comments about needing more than one pill to sleep (although not confirmed) can possibly be the cause of his tragic death at such an early age.

Lack of sleep can be caused by numerous factors, including stress and diet. A lifestyle change may be in order if you cannot sleep properly. Sleeping pills should only be taken at their recommended doses and never with alcohol. Mixing alcohol with sleeping pills may cause health problems and could lead to death.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, researchers have found that people with chronic insomnia are more likely than others to develop several kinds of psychiatric problems, and are also likely to make greater use of healthcare services.

People suffering from a sleep disorder called sleep apnea are at risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke and motor vehicle crashes if left untreated.

If you have sleeping problems, talk to your doctor before making the decision to take over-the-counter sleeping pills. If your doctor prescribes something, read the instructions carefully. If taking the recommended dose of pills still doesn’t put you to sleep, do not take more than the recommended dose. Instead, consult your physician.

To find see if you have a sleeping problem and to get more resouces on this topic, visit the National Sleep Foundation. Then, immediately make an appointment with your doctor.

Research sources and for more information: [CNN.com]; [People.com]; [picture]