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Getting Help For Sleep

If you have exhausted various strategies and smart technology options to improve your sleep without success, seeking assistance from a Wellbeing Practitioner is a wise step. Typically, your General Practitioner (GP) serves as the initial point of contact for sleep issues. Your GP can conduct assessments, offer basic treatments, and make referrals to specialists when necessary.

Medical Specialists

Sleep Specialists

Sleep specialists, who are physicians trained in sleep medicine, are equipped to diagnose, and treat a wide range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnoea, insomnia, and narcolepsy. If your condition appears to be a neurological sleep disorder like restless legs syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder, a neurologist may be recommended. For sleep disorders rooted in psychological or psychiatric causes, such as insomnia due to anxiety or depression, a psychiatrist can provide guidance. In cases of sleep apnoea, you may also collaborate with a pulmonologist or an otolaryngologist (ENT). These healthcare professionals collectively offer comprehensive care to address your specific sleep concerns and work toward achieving restorative sleep.

Many OTC sleep aids contain antihistamines like diphenhydramine (found in products like Benadryl) or doxylamine succinate (found in products like Unisom). These medications can cause drowsiness and are often used to treat allergies but are also used for their sedative effects to help with sleep.

Antihistamines

Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. OTC melatonin supplements are available in various doses and can be used to promote sleep, especially for people experiencing jet lag or shift work sleep disorder.

  1. Nature Made Melatonin

  2. NOW Foods Melatonin

  3. Natrol Melatonin

  4. Source Naturals Melatonin

  5. Life Extension Melatonin

  6. Vitafusion SleepWell Gummies

  7. Solgar Melatonin

  8. Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep Melatonin

  9. Kirkland Signature Melatonin

  10. Emergen-C Emergen-Zzzz Melatonin

  11. Swanson Ultra Dual-Release Melatonin

  12. Dr. Mercola Melatonin Sleep Support Spray

  13. Pure Encapsulations Melatonin

  14. iHerb Brands

Melatonin Supplments

Natural remedies like valerian root, chamomile, and lavender are used in herbal supplements, teas, or capsules to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

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  1. Valerian Root

  2. Lavender

  3. Chamomile

  4. Passionflower

  5. Lemon Balm

  6. Kava Kava

  7. Ashwagandha

  8. Ginkgo Biloba

  9. Magnolia Bark

  10. Hops

  11. L-Theanine

  12. California Poppy

  13. Skullcap

  14. L-Tryptophan

  15. GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

Herbal Supplemnts

Over the counter (OTC) sleep aids are non-prescription medications or supplements that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. They are designed to help individuals with mild to moderate sleep disturbances or occasional insomnia. OTC sleep aids are available in various forms, including pills, capsules, liquids, and herbal supplements.

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​The choice of OTC sleep aid should be made in consultation with your Wellbeing Practitioner. Your Wellbeing Practitioner can help provide guidance on the most appropriate treatment based on your specific sleep issues and medical history and decide based on potential side effects or interactions with other medications. OTC sleep aids may not be suitable for long-term use and should therefore be monitored. If sleep problems persist, consult a Wellbeing Practitioner to rule out underlying medical conditions and explore more targeted treatment options.

Over The Counter Sleep Aids

Some OTC sleep aids combine multiple ingredients, such as antihistamines and pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen) to address sleep difficulties along with pain or discomfort.

Combination Products

Homeopathic sleep aids use highly diluted substances to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

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Homeopathic Remedies

Certain dietary supplements, like magnesium, L-theanine, and 5-HTP, are believed to have sleep-promoting properties and are available OTC.

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Dietary Supplements

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Prescription Sleep Aids

Prescription sleep aids are medications prescribed by a Wellbeing Practitioner to help individuals with sleep disorders or severe sleep disturbances. These medications are typically used when other non-pharmacological approaches and over the counter (OTC) remedies have proven ineffective. Prescription sleep aids can be classified into different categories based on their mechanism of action and effects on the body.

Prescription sleep aids can be extremely helpful in managing sleep disturbances; however, they should be used under the guidance of a Wellbeing Practitioner. Additionally, addressing the underlying causes of sleep problems and adopting healthy sleep hygiene practices is crucial for long-term improvement in sleep quality. Some common types of prescription sleep aids include:

 

Benzodiazepines

Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotics

Antidepressants

Orexin Receptor Antagonists

Melatonin Receptor Agonists

Antihistamines

Barbiturates

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Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep. Sleep Specialists, pulmonologists, ENT Specialists, dentists, and a range of other specialists may be involved in the treatment and care of someone with sleep apnea. A range of lifestyle modifications may be recommended to manage the condition including weight management and positional therapy. 

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  • Weight Management

  • Positional Therapy

  • Side Sleeping Pillows

  • Sleeping Belts

  • Oral Appliances

  • Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

  • Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)

  • Smart beds

  • Wearable devices

  • Smart pillows

  • Sleep Hygiene

  • Avoiding Alcohol & Sedatives

  • Sleep Apnea Support Group

  • Education

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While treatment, support and even therapy are beneficial in managing sleep apnea, practicing good sleep hygiene, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime and quitting smoking can all contribute to managing sleep apnea. Joining a sleep apnea support group or seeking education about the condition can be valuable for individuals and family. Together these should be used in conjunction with Wellbeing Practitioner guidance.

Sleep Apnoea Supports

Smart Anti-Snoring Devices like Smart Nora and Philips SmartSleep Snoring Relief Band offer innovative approaches to addressing snoring. Smart Nora, a non-contact solution, gently adjusts head position by inflating and deflating a pillow pad when snoring is detected. The Philips SmartSleep Snoring Relief Band is a wearable device that provides positional feedback through vibrations, encouraging users to change their sleeping position.

Smart Anti-Snoring Devices

Sleep Tracking Devices Specializing in Snoring Detection, such as certain wearable fitness trackers (e.g., Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch), can monitor snoring patterns during sleep.

Sleep Tracking devices

Dedicated Snoring Detection Devices like SnoreLab record and track snoring sounds, offering detailed data on snoring frequency and intensity.

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Snoring Detection Devices

Snoring can be disruptive for both the snorer and their sleep partner, but there are several support options available, including smart technologies and sleep tracking devices designed to detect and alleviate snoring. Lifestyle changes and positional therapy, such as altering sleep positions, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and maintaining a healthy weight, are essential for snoring management. Consulting a Wellbeing Practitioner is crucial if snoring persists and adversely affects sleep quality or health. They can assess whether snoring indicates an underlying sleep disorder like sleep apnoea, which may necessitate specialized treatment. While smart technologies and sleep tracking devices can aid snoring monitoring and management, professional guidance is vital for severe or persistent cases that may indicate a medical condition.

Snoring Supports

Smart Pillows and Sleep Monitors, such as ZEEQ Smart Pillow and REM-Fit ZEEQ, not only track sleep patterns but also include features like positional feedback and audio to reduce snoring.

Smart Pillows & Sleep Monitors

Smart Beds with Anti-Snoring Features, exemplified by the Sleep Number 360 Bed, can detect snoring, and automatically adjust mattress positions to mitigate snoring.

Smart Beds

White Noise Machines and Apps may incorporate snore detection and white noise generation to mask snoring sounds.

White Noise Machines & Apps

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Sleep Studies

Sleep Technologists are trained in conducting sleep studies (polysomnography) and monitor patients during sleep to diagnose sleep disorders. Sleep studies (also known as polysomnography or PSG) are comprehensive evaluations of a person's sleep patterns, brain activity, bodily functions, and physical behaviours during sleep. These studies are conducted in a specialized sleep centre or lab facility, but in some cases, they can also be performed at home using portable monitoring devices.

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Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Electrooculogram (EOG)

Electromyogram (EMG)

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Respiratory Monitoring

Audio and Video Recording

Other Sensors

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Sleep studies help Wellbeing Practitioners diagnose sleep disorders accurately. Once a sleep disorder is diagnosed, Wellbeing Practitioners can tailor treatment plans.

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Smart Sleep Trainers

Smart Sleep Trainers and AI Sleep Coaches are mobile applications designed to offer personalized sleep coaching and guidance. These apps utilize AI algorithms to analyse an individual's sleep patterns, habits, and data, enabling them to provide tailored recommendations aimed at enhancing sleep quality. These recommendations may encompass adjustments to one's sleep schedule, sleep environment, or lifestyle factors to optimize overall sleep. What sets these trainers apart is their ability to adapt recommendations over time using AI or machine learning, allowing them to align with a user's progress and changing sleep patterns.

 

Lark combines wearable devices with an AI-powered coach to enhance sleep habits.

The Kello Smart Sleep System functions as a sleep trainer, aiding users in establishing healthy sleep routines through personalized coaching and sleep tracking.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, sleep disturbances can be attributed to a variety of factors but are often linked to imbalances in the mind (shen), ethereal soul, or both. These imbalances are typically associated with inadequate blood (Xue) or yin (substance) to anchor the mind or ethereal soul, often influenced by lifestyle choices or underlying disease factors, such as excess 'fire' in the body. In cases of insomnia, it is described as the mind and ethereal soul 'floating' at night.

TCM practitioners employ personalized treatment approaches tailored to the specific nature of the sleep issue. They may utilize a combination of techniques, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal remedies to address sleep disorders. While the primary goal often focuses on "calming the shen" (soothing the mind and spirit), other treatments may target invigorating liver yin or stimulate the blood. While Liver Yin and Heart Fire are among the main factors contributing to sleep disturbances, there are numerous other potential causes, and individual circumstances must be carefully considered.

In many cases, standard acupuncture points such as Shenmen (Heart 7) and Taiyang are used to support sleep. However, it is worth noting that Taiyang is located on the forehead between the two eyes. While it can be beneficial for sleep support, it carries the risk of blocking the third eye, a significant phenomenon in various disciplines including Fa Lun Gong. The third eye is believed to provide access to other realms and dimensions, including the astral world. Blocking the third eye may have profound effects on one's spiritual experiences.

TCM For Sleep

The Wellness Revolution hopes that you have enjoyed exploring this page and have received some hints on how to get help for sleeping related concerns.

US 'N' U

US 'N' U

© 2035 by Andrew Turtle. Created on Wix Studio.

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