Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, about 10% of adults in the United States have chronic insomnia and as many as 30% experience an acute bout of insomnia in any given year. No wonder sleep is so much in the news! Treatment of insomnia has grown into an industry – search under insomnia, and you’ll literally find millions of postings about supplements, devices, yoga poses, pillows, audio recordings, you name it. Meanwhile, your doctor is likely to offer a prescription sleep aid. What works? What’s best? How to decide, with such a variety and range of possible therapies?
Our team of experienced sleep specialists has over 50 collective years of experience treating insomnia. We have curated the safest and most effective therapies and work with our patients to find the best therapy for their individual needs.
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What is insomnia?
If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, or wake up too early, you may have insomnia. It’s frustrating to constantly experience poor-quality sleep, and chronic insomnia can negatively impact your daily life.
If you have insomnia, you may also experience symptoms that include:
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood disturbance
Insomnia is categorized by the extent of time your sleep is disrupted. If you experience brief bouts of insomnia a few times a year or less, you have short-term, or acute insomnia. Chronic insomnia is present if you have trouble sleeping two nights a week or more for longer than one month.
What causes insomnia?
You may experience insomnia for a number of reasons. Acute insomnia often arises because of day-to-day stresses. If you’re anxious about an exam or depressed because of life circumstances, you may have trouble with your sleep schedule.
Other external circumstances, such drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, or experiencing jet lag, can lead to acute insomnia. Often, this insomnia is short-lived and resolves without treatment.
There are many lifestyle habits or medical conditions that can lead to long-term disrupted sleep. Common causes of chronic insomnia include:
- Being an inherently light sleeper (genetic predisposition to insomnia)
- Medications that interfere with sleep
- Excessive use of electronic devices in the evening
- Circadian rhythm out of regulation
- Allergies to pollen, dust mites or food
- Depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders
- Snoring or sleep apnea
- Pain or discomfort from arthritis, headaches and other causes
- Restless leg syndrome
- Menopause
- Overactive bowel or bladder
- Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s
In summary, chronic insomnia is often caused by a genetic, lifestyle or medical factor. Luckily, once you determine the cause, it’s possible for you to gain better control over and improve your sleep schedule.
How is insomnia evaluated and diagnosed?
The experts at Sound Sleep Health provide a uniquely in-depth approach to insomnia, including a detailed assessment of your sleep habits and sleep environment.
You’ll be sent home with a special device that records detailed information, including:
- How long it takes to fall asleep
- How many sleep cycles you complete
- How deep and stable your sleep is
- How long you sleep
- How much time you spend awake
- Your heart rate trend during sleep
- Your body position during sleep
- Whether you snore, and how loud
In some cases, you may be asked to do some additional testing, either in the home or in the comfortable, well-equipped Sleep Center at Sound Sleep Health. Occasionally, blood or urine testing may be required.
What are the treatments for insomnia?
The treatment of insomnia varies greatly depending on the cause and circumstances.
It’s always important to try to remove or change any factors that might be contributing to or worsening insomnia. The experts at Sound Sleep Health will develop an individualized treatment plan that starts with adjustments to your environment, medications and sleep schedule.
Certain types of insomnia respond well to a kind of guided therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i), available at Sound Sleep Health.
In some cases, insomnia can be managed using novel devices, including micro-current electrical stimulators, head cooling devices or specially designed sound generators. The experts at Sound Sleep Health can discuss these effective non-medication approaches with you.
In more severe cases of insomnia where medication may be needed, the providers at Sound Sleep Health are careful to select therapies that are non-addictive and that minimize side effects.
The Sound Sleep Health team expertly manages insomnia by creating custom treatment plans for their patients.
Call or book online to regain the quality sleep you deserve.