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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the makers of some sleep aids to reduce recommended doses for the drugs. The decision came after the FDA reviewed recent driving simulation studies. They showed that the drugs remained in some people’s bodies enough to affect driving 8 hours later. The new rule applies to sleep aids that contain the drug zolpidem. The drugs include Ambien, Edluar, Zolpimist and others. Problems with driving were seen most often in women. They process the drug more slowly than men. Therefore, the recommended dose for women will be cut in half, from 10 milligrams to 5 milligrams for regular products. Extended-release doses will drop from 12.5 to 6.25 milligrams. The FDA recommends that these doses apply to men, too. However, the changes will not be required for men. The Associated Press wrote about the announcement January 10.

Treating high blood pressure may also decrease the risk of dementia, new research suggests. The study included 774 deceased men who had high blood pressure while alive. Autopsy results showed fewer signs of dementia in the brains of men who had been treated for the condition. They had less brain shrinkage and fewer areas of brain cell death caused by mini-strokes. They also had fewer amyloid plaques and tangles, signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Treating high blood pressure can decrease the risk of strokes. But it’s unclear why treatment would prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Another surprise was that the men treated with beta-blockers had the healthiest looking brains. Beta-blockers are less effective than some other blood pressure medicines. But for those who used them brain damage was about half as severe as that for men who used other treatments.

The answers to a few questions can help doctors figure out which teens are most likely to drink alcohol at an early age, a study suggests. The study included 820 teens, ages 14 through 17. All were part of a larger study of alcoholism risk in families. They were interviewed using a standard format related to alcoholism risk. They also completed a questionnaire related to behavior. The teens were asked at what age they had their first whole drink of alcohol (such as a full can of beer). Those who said they already had a complete drink of alcohol were more likely to say their best friends drank. They were also more likely to have family members with alcohol problems. And they were more likely to have social, conduct and school problems. The journal Pediatrics published the study January 7.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, was recently hospitalized with a severe type of morning sickness. It’s called hyperemesis gravidarum. This form affects only 1 or 2 of every 100 pregnant women. Many pregnant women become nauseous and may vomit during the first trimester. But women with hyperemesis gravidarum have severe nausea and frequent vomiting. They become dehydrated. Their blood levels of sodium and potassium are off balance. This can endanger the woman’s health. It also can lead to pregnancy problems, such as a low birth weight baby or a baby born prematurely. For the pregnant woman, treatment often includes hospitalization. There, she is given intravenous fluids and medication to reduce nausea.

Whether you’re overweight or not may affect how well a blood pressure drug works for you, a study suggests. Researchers looked at data from a study of more than 11,000 people with high blood pressure. People were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups took Lotensin (benazepril). This is a type of blood pressure drug known as an ACE inhibitor. One group also took hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. The other group took Norvasc (amlodipine) as their second drug. This drug is known as a calcium channel blocker. Among those taking the diuretic, people whose weight was normal had the worst results. They were 68% more likely to die or have a heart attack or stroke than obese people taking a diuretic. Taking the calcium channel blocker worked better for people of normal weight. They had a 43% lower rate of death, stroke and heart attack than those who took the diuretic.