Jan 19, 2006 8:49 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Insomniacs Have Plenty Of Options
Pillows, Mattresses Just Part Of What's Out There
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
More than 200 million Americans battle with some form of insomnia. Many new products are now on the market promising relief by appealing to other senses, like smell and hearing, but are these real sleep solutions or just gimmicks?
Carey Ward used to wake up eight times a night. Now he falls asleep on a vibrating mattress, listening to music.
"The vibrations help stimulate the body to a point where it helps relax it," Ward said.
There are other sleep aides hitting the market too, like a bedding that claims it can regulate body temperature to help you sleep better, and a mattress that absorbs moisture.
Another product, a climate-controlled comforter, contains a high-tech mesh ventilation that circulates air around your body.
"Mesh ventilation is something that was probably taken from athletic wear when you're running to keep cool," said Health Magazine's Samantha Heller.
The sleep industry is now even expanding to appeal to your sense of smell.
There are scented pillows, inhalers, lotions and sprays designed to help you fall asleep faster.
Larry Houseman sleeps on a scented pillow that cost him $100.
"Almost the minute you smell it, you're kind of almost ready to go on off to sleep," Houseman said.
"They're trying to relax the person or allow them to fall asleep in a natural way by taking away outside stimulation," said Dr. James Herdegen of the Center for Sleep and Ventilatory Disorders at the University of Illinois Medical Center.
Experts say no research proves these products work, but Herdegen says small studies do suggest sound, scent and the right temperature can improve sleep patterns.
"Within one to two hours of bedtime, we would introduce a hot bath or shower for the patient to then, after that, allow the body to cool down," Herdegen said.
Experts say the best solution is to use your bed only for sleep. That means make your room dark at night and don't watch TV in the bedroom. In the morning, open the shades and let in the sunlight because our brains are wired to respond to light.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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