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And now, there's even an FDA approved device for insomnia!



Today's post is for all those who struggle to get a good night's sleep. Insomnia is a problem for many people, and when you have chronic pain it's part of the picture to be sure.  The traditional approach to insomnia often includes hypnotics, also known "sleeping pills." These products are effective but can lead to sedation during daytime hours, and also dependency.

Other traditional methods to improve quality of sleep include improving "sleep hygiene." This includes rituals such as avoiding eating for a given period of time before bed, setting regular bedtime and awaking times, and avoiding light from cell phones, TVs, digital clocks and the like during sleeping hours.  

Now we have a new option...available by prescription only, the Cereve Sleep System was approved by the FDA in June 2016.  As I understand it, the device is attached to a pad which the user wears on the forehead during sleep periods.  The device gently cools the forehead, reducing activity in the frontal cortex of the brain.  This allows the user to have longer periods of deep, restorative sleep than otherwise possible. Three clinical studies of this device have demonstrated safety and efficacy of this new sleep treatment.

Sources: Medscape, , Cerevesleep.com


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