Imperial, California - We’ve all been told how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. It improves our mood, allows us to focus better and increases our ability to reason and problem solve. In addition to its effect on general wellbeing and productivity, sleep is also critical to vital functions that keep our body working properly and in good health. In fact, research published in SLEEP has shown people with insomnia are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions than those who get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Unfortunately, more than 30 million Americans have chronic insomnia, putting them at greater risk of developing and suffering from chronic health conditions like heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, neurologic disease, and chronic pain. And what many people don’t know is that insomnia is about more than just being unable to fall asleep (sleep onset insomnia). It also includes the inability to sleep through the night (sleep maintenance insomnia), which is actually the most common symptom.
The good news is there are effective ways to manage insomnia. Incorporating good bedtime habits into your nightly routine is one of them. Helpful habits you may want to try include:
- Get comfortable: Remind your body that it’s time to wind down. Relaxing activities, like taking a warm bath, can help transition you from daytime to bedtime.
- Sign off: Put away your electronic devices one hour before you head to bed. LED lights from mobile phones and tablets can activate the brain, keeping you from falling and staying asleep at night.
- Go dark: Block out the light. Light and darkness are natural reminders that tell your body when it’s time to rest. Light during the night can send messages to the brain telling you to “wake up!” before you’re ready.
If practicing these habits alone is not enough, speak with your doctor about your routine, lifestyle and symptoms. If you are diagnosed with insomnia, your doctor may prescribe a prescription medication.
If you have trouble staying asleep, please talk to your doctor to see if SILENOR® may be an option for you. SILENOR® is a prescription sleep aid that is used to treat people with insomnia who have trouble staying asleep. It works with the wake-promoting mechanism of your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle to help you stay asleep during the night and keep you from waking too early in the morning.
To prepare for a visit with your doctor, visit www.silenor.com to download a conversation starter guide, which includes a short questionnaire to help you better understand your sleep and what questions to ask your doctor.