sleep — all stories
Heartburn: why extra pillows can make it worse
The NHS suggests raising the head of the bed instead, but the authors of a 2021 review of trials say the research is too limited for definitive recommendations.
Tired all the time? Six everyday things worth checking
Regular meals, a short walk and less caffeine are among the NHS tips, and the health service says tiredness lasting a few weeks with no clear reason is a reason to see a…
Five things to try when sleep will not come
Five suggestions from NHS pages, plus NICE’s first-choice treatment for long-term insomnia: cognitive behavioural therapy.
Melatonin: the sleep aid that needs a prescription in the UK
The MHRA found melatonin that was not on the label in a children’s gummy product sold online as a food supplement.
Blue-light glasses: what they promise – and what the evidence shows
The review covered 17 trials and 619 people, and its lead author said the findings do not support prescribing the glasses to the general population.
The sleep positions people with back pain avoid most
A survey of 375 people with long-term low back pain found side-lying was the position most of them preferred, even though it was linked to higher disability scores than…
How long a nap should really last
Naps of more than an hour have been linked to faster cognitive decline and disrupted night-time sleep, although much of the evidence is observational.
What screen time before bed does to sleep
Even the type of screen can matter: e-readers such as the Kindle give off blue light, but less of it than other devices, the Sleep Foundation says.
Six things that help you sleep
The Sleep Foundation says it is best to talk to a doctor about sleeping problems that are severe or long-lasting, or about sleepiness that lasts through the day.
