Let There Be Light: Guidelines for Treating Sleep Disorders

DANBURY — If you suffer from sleep disorders such as falling asleep and waking too early or too late, falling asleep and waking at different times, fragmented sleep or sleep problems caused by jet lag, shift work, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you may benefit from treatment with light therapy, according to doctors at Danbury Hospital.

Light therapy involves exposing a patient to measured doses of bright light at specific times for a certain length of time.

“Most of the body’s processes follow a natural rhythm. Those that have a cycle of about a day are called circadian rhythms and these influence sleep and wakefulness,” said David Oelberg, MD, medical director at the Sleep Disorders Center at Danbury Hospital. “A number of factors can affect these rhythms, but light seems to play the largest role in setting our personal circadian clocks.”

A person who falls asleep too early and wakes up too early may be a good candidate for light therapy. The guidelines recommend exposing the patient to a high dose of light from a light box for two to three hours from 8 or 9 to 11 pm. Studies show that the exposure can help reset the sleep cycle to a later time.

Light therapy can be used in conjunction with making adjustments in lifestyle, such as napping, sleeping conditions, diet, and exercise.

“These recommendations were developed from a very broad review by the Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine,” adds Dr Oelberg. “The recommendations include the need to consult with a qualified physician who will consider other treatments based on a complete examination.”

Anyone who experiences difficulty sleeping and would like more information, can contact the Sleep Disorders Center at Danbury Hospital by calling 731-8033.