Did you know? ✈️ Pilots cannot fly for 60 hours after taking Benadryl.
It causes significant cognitive impairment and sedative effects, yet parents and doctors frequently give it to infants and children of all ages for everything from sneezing and sniffles to help with sleep.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can cause lingering confusion and impairment of motor skills even after the initial effects have worn off. If pilots are not allowed to fly for 60 hours after taking it, how can you expect your child to perform in school or sports?
It can even cause seizures or cardiac arrythmias in young or sensitive children… it’s just not worth it when there are many other, better options nowadays.
And the negative cognitive effects are not just temporary either, unfortunately…
⚠️ Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl and many other products like Tylenol PM, Simply Sleep, Unisom, ZzzQuil, Simply Right Sleep Aid, and Equate Nighttime Sleep Aid can lead to serious health problems, including dementia, later on down the line.
Diphenhydramine is considered to be in two classes of drugs: antihistamines and anticholinergics. Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms such as rashes, runny noses, and sneezing. Anticholinergic drugs are used for a wider variety of conditions including incontinence, sleep problems, and motion sickness.
A 2015 study, led by a researcher from the University of Washington, found that people who take Benadryl regularly are more likely to develop dementia as they age. The study also found that the more frequently a person took these medications, the more likely they were to develop the condition.
Think about the long term effects if we begin dosing in childhood and continue use of this drug throughout adulthood…
People tend to think that over-the-counter drugs are safer since they are more readily available, but this isn’t necessarily true because these drugs are not often tested for long-term effects over a long enough period of time before they are sold.
Play it safe and avoid these drugs except in cases of true emergency. If you or your child have allergies, trouble sleeping, motion sickness, incontinence or other health concerns where these drugs are commonly recommended, there are safer ways of coping than loading up on antihistamines and anticholinergics. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions.
If you’d like more info on Sublingual Immunotherapy, we have a whole post about that, too! >> Check it out!
Jessica, Jacki and all the Well Rooted Staff are amazing. Our Pediatrician retired a few years back and we were in limbo for several years, never feeling like any Dr we saw actually listened to us. After our 1st visit at Well Rooted we knew we finally found “the one”. They listen and take the time to discuss options. They support the patient and put YOU 1st.
Jessica and her staff at Well Rooted Pediatrics are very friendly and accommodating. We were welcomed with a smile and Jessica is very knowledgeable and thorough. Awesome practice!
Valerie and the entire team at well rooted have been an intergral part of my sons health journey. After visiting multiple Drs and not receiving a clear answer, I was at a complete loss on how to help my son. After our initial meeting with Valerie, I immediately knew we were at the right place! Not only did she take the time to listen but reassured both my son and I that we would get to the root cause of the issue. It hasn’t been a quick fix, however, after 6 months my son was feeling better and back to himself and I couldn’t be happier! Valerie didn’t just put a bandaid on the situation, but truly got to the root cause. I’m hopeful for my sons future and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of Val and the entire staff at well rooted. I feel truly blessed to have found them and highly recommend them to any parent who has been let down by the traditional health care system.
Wonderful experience working with them!! Valerie has been so informative, patient, kind, and such a pleasure! It’s great to feel confident and trustworthy with someone taking care of your child.
Love them. I always come in with questions and they give me options to check things out further if I want to. Easy to listen with out being judged. Recommend. They don’t take insurance but you can submit the super bill to your insurance which is nice.
390 Congress Pkwy # J
Crystal Lake, IL
814 Commerce Dr., Ste 150
Oak Brook, IL
390 Congress Parkway
Suite I
Crystal Lake, IL
2075 Foxfield Rd.
Suite 102
St. Charles, IL 60174