healthmedicinet

Can we use the hours we snooze more productively to improve our health? This is the suggestion behind a range of new devices and products that claim to “repair” different parts of the body overnight. Adrian Monti asked experts to rate some of these, and we then rated them.

FOR WRIST PAIN

Epitact Carp ‘immo night use, ?24.95 (epitact.co.uk)

CLAIM: This fabric brace is recommended for people with carpal tunnel syndrome as well as inflammation, musculoskeletal disorders or inflamed wrist tendons. The makers claim that this support “keeps your wrist in a neutral position for a peaceful night’s sleep.”

EXPERT VERDICT: Gavin Schaller, a hand and wrist surgeon at the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, says: ‘Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused when pressure is placed on the median nerve [which supplies sensation to the fingers and thumb] as it passes through a narrow tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, pain, or a tingling sensation in the fingers.

Over time, weakness can develop in the thumb due to muscle thinning, as the lack of nerve supply causes the thumb to atrophy.

?There is good evidence that night splints can work for mild to moderate cases because they prevent the wearer from flexing their wrist.

“I expect improvement within six weeks of use.” 8/10

FOR DRY EYES

Eyeseals 4.0 Hydrating Sleep Mask with clear lenses, ?43.50 (eyewear-accessories.co.uk)

These look like swimming goggles and the maker says they work by protecting the eyes from “drafts, dust and low humidity”

CLAIM: These look like swimming goggles, and the maker says they work by protecting the eyes from “drafts, dust, and low humidity,” creating a “moisture-rich space above your eyes.”

EXPERT VERDICT: Dry eyes can be worse at night because we don’t blink, which helps tears spread across the surface of the eye, explains Bhavin Shah, behavioral optometrist at Central Vision Opticians in Finchley, north London. “If you have dry eye syndrome – where you don’t make enough tears – these glasses can help because their closed environment can prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.”

‘However, there is a risk that the humid environment is a potential breeding ground for bacteria. I would suggest trying more conventional methods – eye drops with the lubricant sodium hyaluronate and warm compresses to open clogged glands – before trying this one.” 4/10

FOR FOOT PAIN

Powerstep UltraStretch Plantar Fasciitis Night Sock, ?24.99 per sock (shoeinsoles.co.uk)

These nylon socks are designed ‘to wear during sleep or rest’ and have two adjustable straps

CLAIM: Designed to be worn during sleep or rest to relieve heel pain associated with common overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis [pain in the tendon] when taking your first step in the morning’, this consists of a nylon sock with two adjustable straps – one attaches to the calf muscle; the other at the toe end of the sock.

EXPERT VERDICT: Kumar Kunasingam, orthopedic surgeon at Croydon University Hospital, says: ‘Plantar fasciitis [inflammation of the fibrous band of soft tissue under the foot] is very common and usually seen in people who are overweight or in more athletic people, such as runners.

‘Fat-burning’ pills against obesity

Night Mega Burner, 60 capsules plus US shipping, ?39.90, (nightmegaburner.com)

CLAIM: This promises “fat-burning support while you sleep” because it “boosts metabolism,” says the maker.

Ingredients include Madagascar aframon – an African plant described as a “chemical compound that has shown properties that support weight loss,” ashwagandha root extract, green tea leaf extract, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

EXPERT VERDICT: Cardiff-based dietitian Aisling Pigott says: ‘Many of the ingredients in this product are glorified herbs and spices. I don’t know of any robust studies suggesting they will help you slim down.”

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‘These types of socks have long been seen as a useful treatment option. Although plantar fasciitis is felt in the sole, the cause is often a tight feeling in the muscles further down the leg. You can help relieve pain during the day by doing calf stretches. The idea is that this sock will also stretch the calf muscles while resting.

“You’ll soon see benefits from wearing socks like this ? you might even notice less foot pain the next morning because your calf has stretched overnight.” However, they are quite inconvenient to wear and most patients don’t like them.’ 8/10

FOR DENTAL HEALTH

Floe Dusk Lavender Mint Remineralising Natural Toothpaste, ?5.50 for 75ml (hollandandbarrett.com)

CLAIM: This “evening toothpaste” claims to help “protect and remineralize your teeth while you sleep,” with “a high concentration” of hydroxyapatite (HA, a naturally occurring mineral in teeth). It also contains fluoride, coconut oil and lavender.

EXPERT VERDICT: Dentist James Goolnik, of Bow Lane Dental Group in London, says: ‘There is no mention of what percentage of HA this product contains. Some studies show that HA remineralizes teeth in a lab setting, but no one has tested it in the mouth with saliva present, so we don’t know how effective it is. ‘I couldn’t find any evidence that coconut oil or lavender helps in toothpaste. I’m not a fan of the foaming agent cocamidopropyl betaine (included); some people are allergic to it. The fluoride prevents tooth decay and helps with sensitivity, but no more than many other toothpastes.’ 4/10

FOR CRACKED HANDS

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Overnight, ?10.50 for 80ml (boots.com)

The manufacturer says that for extremely dry, cracked hands, this product can give you “visible results overnight.”

CLAIM: The manufacturer says that for extremely dry, cracked hands, this product can give you “visible results overnight.” Ingredients include glycerin, sweet almond oil and shea butter, which provide “intense, restorative hydration.”

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘All hand creams can be used day or night,’ says Dr Hayley Leeman, dermatologist consultant at the Cadogan Clinic in London. “However, you are more likely to benefit from a cream used at night, as frequent hand washing during the day hinders a cream’s consistent action.” For best results, wear cotton gloves in bed after applying the cream to allow it to penetrate deeper into the skin layers.

‘Glycerin is a very good humectant, which means it draws water from the air into the skin. Almond oil and shea butter are emollients that form a film over the skin, helping to retain water.

“You are more likely to see significant improvement with regular nightly use, but this cream is not superior to others on the market.” 9/10

FOR SWOLLEN JOINTS

Osmo Patch, ?27 for ten patches (osmopatch.co.uk)

CLAIM: These adhesive patches, the size of a large plaster, treat swelling around painful joints or muscles ‘while you sleep’; they are designed to “gently absorb excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling.” The patch contains the mineral tourmaline – which is claimed to have infrared properties, warming the skin and causing moisture from the inflammation to be drawn into the patch.

EXPERT VERDICT: Physiotherapist Tim Allardyce, clinical director of Surrey Physio, says: ‘I’m skeptical of the claim that the patch soaks up the fluid in this way – I couldn’t find any research to back this up.

‘Inflammation is a complicated process and I find the theory that tourmaline causes the body to ‘sweat’ the fluid out unlikely.

‘It is very difficult to know whether this product is more effective than a bag of ice or a heat pack. It’s not cheap either, tourmaline is a gemstone.’ 3/10

FOR PAIN DURING THE NIGHT

Panadol Night Pain, ?5.29 for 20 (chemist-4-u.com)

CLAIM: These tablets contain the painkiller paracetamol and diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine that causes drowsiness ? “making it useful if pain keeps you awake.” They provide relief from headaches, toothaches and muscle aches.

EXPERT VERDICT: Pharmacist Ashley Cohen of Leeds-based chain Pharm-Assist says: ‘These will help someone who is having trouble sleeping due to pain, but drowsiness may persist into the next day. I would prefer to treat the pain separately 24 hours a day – there are countless painkillers and anti-inflammatories available – then maybe sleeping would improve.

“I wouldn’t look for something to help with sleep ? like antihistamines Nytol or Sominex ? until after I got the pain sorted. Those are my caveats, but there is no doubt that this Panadol tablet, if taken correctly, should work quickly and treat the types of pain mentioned. 8/10