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\nLifestyle changes can often help improve short-term insomnia. A type of counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is usually the first treatment recommended for chronic insomnia. Several medicines can also help manage insomnia and help you have a regular sleep schedule. You may need to visit a doctor who specializes in treating sleep problems.
\nIn addition to following a heart-healthy lifestyle, try to adopt the following bedtime habits. These habits can make it easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
\nCBT-I is a 6- to 8-week detailed treatment plan to help you learn how to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. This is usually recommended as the first treatment option for long-term insomnia and can be very effective if done properly. CBT-I can be done in person by a doctor, nurse, or therapist; by telephone; or online. It involves the following parts:
\nPrescription medicines
\nMany prescription medicines are used to treat insomnia. Some are meant for short-term use while others are meant for longer-term use. Some insomnia medicines can be habit-forming and all of these medicines may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or worsening of depression or suicidal thoughts. All of the medicines listed below may cause insomnia. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and side effects of insomnia medicines.
\nOff-label medicines
\nIn some special cases healthcare providers may prescribe medicines that are commonly used for other health conditions but are not yet approved by the FDA to treat insomnia. Some of these medicines may include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants.
\nOver-the-counter medicines and supplements
\nSome over-the-counter (OTC) products that contain antihistamines are sold as sleep aids. Although these products might make you sleepy, talk to your doctor before taking them. Antihistamines can be unsafe for some people. Also, these products may not be the best treatment for your insomnia. Your doctor can advise you whether these products will help you.
\nMelatonin supplements are lab-made versions of the sleep hormone melatonin . Many people take melatonin supplements to improve their sleep. However, research has not proven that melatonin is an effective treatment for insomnia. Talk to your doctor before using these supplements. Dietary supplements can be beneficial to your health, but they can also have health risks.
\nThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering \"conventional\" foods and medicines. It does not have the authority to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed.
\nSide effects of melatonin may include daytime sleepiness, headaches, upset stomach, and worsening depression. It can also affect your body's control of blood pressure, causing high or low blood pressure.
\nOther medicines
\nYour doctor may also prescribe medicines to treat other diseases that you may have in addition to your insomnia.
\nYour doctor may recommend that you use light therapy to set and maintain your sleep-wake cycle. With this treatment, you plan time each day to sit in front of a light box, which produces bright light similar to sunlight.
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