Major Changes For Common Sleeping Meds [The New York Times] If you ever pop a prescription sleeping pill to nod off, take note: The Food and Drug Administration is cutting the recommended dosage in half for women, after studies indicated that the meds can leave us too drowsy in the morning. In particular, the FDA is concerned about impaired driving, and notes that 10-15% of women are too drowsy to drive safely 8 hours after taking a tablet. Patients relying on the pills should talk to their doctors about the new guidelines, and the agency also notes that docs can still prescribe more potent pills if the weaker versions aren’t effective. (Skip the Rx and nod off naturally with 10 Simple Solutions For Insomnia.) The 9 Most Annoying Things At The Gym [ABC News] New year, new commitment to hitting the gym. At least, that’s the trend for plenty of Americans: Gym memberships surge by around 12% every January, which suggests that more of us are hitting the treadmill and pumping some weights on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it also means more opportunities for gym pet peeves, including the 9 annoyances listed here, to rankle your nerves. Among them? Machines left dripping with sweat, chit-chatting workout pals, and locker room exhibitionists. (All three sound like great reasons to break a sweat outside, so make it happen with these Tips For Winter Walking Sessions.) Are Doctors Doing Enough For Obese Patients? [Futurity] Despite an increase in obesity rates across the country, fewer doctors are offering weight counseling to their patients, according to new research published in the journal Medical Care. The odds of a patient receiving weight counseling declined by 41% during the decade-long study period, and only 6.2% of medical visits involved a discussion about weight in 2008 (the most recent year for which data was available). Alarmingly, patients with diabetes and high blood pressure were among the least likely to receive this kind of care from the docs. Experts blame the decline on a lack of time among doctors, as well as a belief among MDs that patients aren’t likely to change their ways. (Is your doc judging you? Find out more about The Weight Shaming Epidemic.) Follow her on Twitter: @katiedrumm Send news tips and positive vibes to: Katie.Drummond@rodale.com
