A detailed history can be quite helpful in identifying the cause of fever and a rash. A history of recent travel, woodland or animal exposure, drug ingestion or contact with ill persons should be noted. The time of year can be a clue to certain diagnoses.2â4.
Oprah On Prescription Drugs: Americans 'Take Pills Like Candy' (VIDEO) Americans don't shy away from taking pills. According to IMS Health, an estimated 16 million people in the United States use painkillers, 5 million take sleep aids and 18 million rely on some form of antidepressants.
Combining sleeping pills with alcohol can increase the sedating effects of both, thus seriously increasing the risk of overdose.2,3,4. Drinking even one alcoholic beverage in combination with sleeping pills can be dangerous. Many sleeping pills are known to cause sleepwalking and memory loss. People have reported engaging in behaviors such as eating, talking on the phone, and sometimes even driving a motor vehicle with no recollection after taking a sleeping pill. Combined with alcohol, the risks of blackout periods are even higher. 4,5. Other effects of mixing alcohol and sleeping pills include: 3,4,5. Drowsiness. Dizziness/disorientation. Impaired motor control.