Never Go to a Hospital Without THIS

A couple years back, I was in the hospital for a few days after a head injury.

My treatment was going well… but it didn’t take me long to realize why so many people get sicker at hospitals.

They refuse to bring you out into the sun, which is important to your recovery.

And you’re constantly bombarded by blue light from the fluorescent overhead lighting that is everywhere at hospitals.

Hospitals are one of the worst offenders when it comes to 24-7 blue light exposure.

And spending all day under blue light interferes with your circadian rhythm, throws your hormones out of whack, causes sleep problems, and has been linked to high blood sugar and weight gain.

It’s a recipe for a health disaster. 

Now, hospitals are finally starting to understand the problem. 

But you can take action now. If you have a hospital stay coming up, one cheap item could help protect your health.

Let me explain… 

The problem with being exposed to standard lighting is that—even when dimmed—it puts out a constant blue light that disrupts a patient’s circadian rhythm.

This prevents your body from producing enough melatonin during the day and suppresses its release at night—when we need it to help fall asleep.

The result of this sleep cycle disruption is insomnia, fatigue, and sleepiness—issues that increase the risk of depression, pain sensitivity, and recovery time.

That’s the opposite of what you’d want for people recovering in the hospital.

Now, researchers have found a way to avoid those unnecessary hospital dangers.

The idea is to install special circadian lighting that follows more closely to a natural day/night cycle. During the day, these lights contain even more blue light, promoting alertness. But at night, even when the lights are on, they will not contain the blue light that can cause nighttime problems.

Using this special lighting will help patients sleep better, while also speeding recovery—which is exactly what you need when you’re in the hospital.

Numerous studies have been conducted in clinical settings from nursing homes to neonatal intensive care units showing the benefits of using circadian lighting:

• Studies have shown that using circadian lighting in patients with Alzheimer’s have helped restore sleep patterns, while also reducing depression and agitation.

• In patients with a type of cancer called myeloma, using circadian lighting helped them sleep better and have less fatigue.

• In patients saying in the ICU after cardiac surgery, using circadian lighting also helped them sleep better and have less fatigue.

• In a study of stroke victims in the hospital, using circadian lighting improved scores on tests of sleep and depression.

The research is there.

Now it’s time for hospitals to implement this safe, effective strategy for reducing fatigue and depression—and all of the effects associated with them—in patients staying in the hospital for long periods of time.

Until these types of circadian lights become the standard, here’s what you need to do.

If you’re staying at a hospital and are capable of moving, always insist on getting some sun exposure every morning. Being outside in the sun will help set your circadian rhythm for the day.

Next, wear amber blue-light blocking glasses starting at 8 p.m. (you can get them at Amazon.com).

Having these glasses with you during your hospital stay can go a long way toward reducing your blue light exposure and protecting your health.

To a brighter day,

Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.