INSOMNIA

 Basic information

description

Insomnia involves problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking early, or a combination of these. It can affects all age groups, but is more common in the elderly. Insomnia is often described by how long it has gone on. Transient is a few days, short-term is less than 3 weeks, and chronic is more than 3 weeks.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Difficulty falling asleep.
• A brief period of sleep is followed by wakefulness.
• Normal sleep until very early in the morning, then wakefulness (often with frightening thoughts).
• Daytime fatigue, tiredness, and sleepiness.
• Lack of sleep causes problems with social, work, family, and other areas of one's life.

causes

Insomnia is a symptom, not a disease. It can be caused by physical, mental, and environmental problems.

risk increases with

• Depression, anxiety, tension, or stress.
• Daytime napping.
• Noise (including a snoring partner).
• Allergies and early-morning wheezing.
• Heart or lung problems that cause shortness of breath when lying down.
• Painful disorders, such as arthritis.
• Frequent need to urinate at night.
• Night sweats, or disorders that cause excess itching.
• Sexual problems.
• Drinking caffeine drinks such as coffee, tea, or cola.
• Use of some drugs.
• Odd work hours, such as swing shifts.
• A new environment or location.
• Jet lag after travel.
• Lack of exercise.
• Smoking, alcoholism, or drug abuse, including overuse of sleep-inducing drugs.
• Withdrawal from addictive substances.
• Sleep apnea.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Avoid lengthy daytime napping.
• Avoid risk factors, where possible.
• For general good health, eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, maintain weight for height, and don't smoke.

expected outcomes

Insomnia can usually be relieved by treating the cause, using self-care steps, or with other medical treatment.

possible complications

Insomnia can cause impaired thinking, and health and emotional problems that affect all aspects of life.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• You may use self-care steps first. These include:
  • Try to reduce tension, stress, or anxiety in your life.
  • Don't turn your bedroom into an office or a den.
  • Create a comfortable sleep setting.
  • Relax in a warm bath before bedtime.
  • After 15 to 20 minutes of trying to sleep, get up and do some relaxing activity. Don't watch television.
  • Turn off your mind. Focus on peaceful and relaxing thoughts. Play soft music or relaxation tapes.
  • Set a strict sleep schedule and keep to it.
  • Use ear plugs, eye shades, or an electric blanket.
• See your health care provider if self-care doesn't help. A physical exam may be done and questions asked about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests may be done to check for any physical disorders. A sleep study may be prescribed. Medical steps may include:
  • Counseling for problems such as depression.
  • Treatment for any medical order diagnosed.

medications

• Sleep-inducing drugs may be prescribed for a short time if: short-term insomnia is interfering with daily activities; you have a disorder that disturbs sleep; you need to establish regular sleep patterns.
• Long-term use of sleep inducers may be counter-productive or addictive. Don't use sleeping pills unless they are prescribed.

activity

• Exercise daily to create healthy fatigue, but not within 2 hours of going to bed.
• Have sexual relations, if they are satisfying and fulfilling before going to sleep.

diet

Avoid alcohol or a heavy meal within 3 hours of bedtime. Avoid caffeine or chocolate within 8 hours of bedtime. Try a light snack with milk at bedtime.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has had insomnia for over 4 weeks or it is interfering with your ability to function.
• Drugs used in treatment produce any side effects.

Special Notes: