Common Insomnia Treatment Options

woman with insomniaEveryone has trouble sleeping now and then. But when the problem continues on a regular basis as you struggle night after night to fall asleep or stay asleep, you might have insomnia.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. You may easily fall asleep, only to wake up in the middle of the night, unable to get back to sleep.

It can last for days or weeks, which is considered to be short-term or acute insomnia. If it lasts for a month or more, you have long-term or chronic insomnia.

What are the symptoms?

The following symptoms are associated with insomnia:

  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Waking up too early
  • Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
  • Irritability, anxiety, or depression
  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering
  • Increased driving or workplace errors or accidents
  • Anxiety and worry about sleep

What causes insomnia?

Insomnia can be caused by a variety of things, including one or more of the following:

  • Stress – often due to a significant issue such as divorce, death of a loved one, or job loss
  • Deviation from your regular sleep schedule – such as changing your work schedule or suffering from jet lag
  • Poor sleep environment or habits – such as sleeping in a room with too much light or noise, keeping an irregular bedtime, and using tablets, phones, or computers before bedtime
  • Medication – including some antihistamines and pain medications
  • Other sleep disorderssleep apnea (which causes pauses in breathing as you sleep) and restless legs syndrome can interfere with your sleep
  • Eating habits – eating large meals in the evening can cause heartburn, which can keep you awake
  • Medical conditions – including those that cause chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and more
  • Stimulants – including caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine

What are your treatment options?

Insomnia treatments may include one or more of the following options:

Why our doctors?

Our doctors are the best sleep doctor and specialist in the southern Connecticut area. He is board-certified in sleep medicine and neurology, specializing in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders such as insomnia. Our doctors are also fellowship trained in sleep medicine from the well-respected program at Stanford University.

If you’re having troubling falling asleep or staying asleep, make an appointment today with Sleep & Neuroscience Associates. We’ll discuss your symptoms with you, as well as your medical history and lifestyle. A sleep study may also be recommended to gather more information. If you have insomnia and/or another sleep disorder, we’ll recommend the most effective insomnia treatments to help you sleep better and feel better.

Thank you! We will get back to you as soon as possible.

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