Sleep therapy, also known as sleep medicine, is the medical treatment of sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy. The goal of sleep therapy is to help individuals get a good night's sleep, improve their overall sleep quality, and address any underlying health conditions that may be affecting their sleep.
Treatment for sleep disorders typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment, as well as medical interventions, such as medications and devices.
Examples of medications used for sleep therapy include sedative-hypnotics (such as zolpidem, zaleplon and eszopiclone), melatonin receptor agonists (such as ramelteon and tasimelteon) and other hypnotics and sedatives.
Devices used in sleep therapy include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines which help individuals with sleep apnea breathe better during sleep and mandibular advancement devices (MADs) which help to keep the airway open.
It is important to note that sleep therapy should be under the guidance of a sleep specialist or a medical doctor, as they will be able to determine the best course of treatment for your specific sleep disorder.