Insomnia
Introduction/Overview
Here’s how to define insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder where you are unable to fall asleep or you have trouble staying asleep. While many people have occasional insomnia, between ten and fifteen percent report chronic insomnia. Insomnia affects normal body functioning.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Insomnia symptoms include having trouble falling asleep at night, waking up often, waking up too early in the morning, waking up not feeling rested, daytime sleepiness, feeling anxious and irritable, lack of concentration, headaches, stress about sleep, making errors or having gastrointestinal problems. See your doctor if not sleeping at night is affecting your daytime functioning. In addition to a physical exam, it may be necessary to undergo testing for sleep apnea in a sleep center. There, you will have your brain, heart, breathing, and body movements monitored while you sleep.
Known Causes
There can be many different insomnia causes. One of the biggest is stress. Worrying about money, health, family, friends or a million other things can keep you from sleeping at night. People who suffer from depression often have trouble sleeping as do those with anxiety disorders. Stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol or nicotine can keep you up all night as well. Some prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can cause insomnia. Other diseases and conditions can interfere with sleep as well. These can include cancer, diabetes, heart failure, gastro esophageal reflux disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few.
Treatments/Procedures
Insomnia treatment includes behavioral therapies and medications. Behavioral therapies can include relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, biofeedback, cognitive therapy (replacing worries with positive thoughts), and light therapy. While doctors don’t recommend taking prescription sleeping pills for long periods of time, they can be a temporary solution to falling asleep while you work on long-term techniques for falling asleep.
Prevention / Vaccination
A healthy lifestyle can do a lot to prevent insomnia. Eating a nutritional diet, getting the right vitamins and minerals, drinking plenty of water, exercising, and taking time to recreate to relieve stress are among the best things you can do to sleep well at night.
Prognosis / Management
While no insomnia cures really exist, insomnia is treatable and manageable. Most of the ways to take control of insomnia have to do with setting or changing a routine. One of the best things you can do is try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day. If you can’t sleep, don’t lie in bed. Get up and do something, such as read or watch TV. Make your bedroom a comfortable place to sleep and don’t use the bed for anything other than sleeping or sex. Relax and unwind before going to bed. Don’t use caffeine, nicotine or alcohol in the evening as it can keep you awake. Don’t eat dinner right before going to bed. If you are in pain, take painkillers. Lying in bed in pain is not a good way to fall asleep. If you are diagnosed with insomnia, it is very important to wear a magnetic bracelet or carry a medical ID card identifying your condition, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.
Alternative Treatments & Products
Several dietary supplements are used as insomnia remedies. One of these is melatonin, which is the same substance that is naturally produced by the human body. It is released in the bloodstream, beginning at dusk and tapering off at daybreak. Many therapies are used for relaxation and to induce sleep. These include yoga, acupuncture, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, massage, aromatherapy, guided imagery, and herbal remedies.