Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep. With insomnia, you may wake up early and find it difficult to go back to sleep, you may wake up feeling unrested and have no energy making it difficult to make it through the day. Insomnia can take a toll not only on your energy level, but it can negatively impact your physical and mental health and overall quality of life.

Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Insomnia can be acute (days to weeks) and chronic (months or longer). 

Common Causes of Chronic Insomnia Include: 

• Stress
• Complicated work schedule 
• Poor sleep habits (napping too much during the day, too much stimulation before bed)
• Eating too much late at night (especially sugar).
• Mental health conditions (post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression)
• Medications
• Medical Conditions (i.e. chronic pain, GERD, diabetes, overactive thyroid)
• Sleep Apnea 
• Substance Use (i.e. caffeine, nicotine, alcohol).

Good quality sleep is important to your overall health, in addition to diet and regular exercise. 

Complications of insomnia can lead to poor work or academic performance, high risk of accidents due to slowed reaction time, mental health disorders (i.e. depression and anxiety), and increase risk of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, behavioral & lifestyle modification, ruling out medical causes & referring to appropriate specialists, and sometimes medication (i.e. melatonin, hydroxyzine, trazodone, etc.)

Disclaimer: We are unable to prescribe or continue prescriptions for controlled sleep aids or benzodiazepines (i.e. Valium, Clonazepam, Lunesta, Ambien, etc.).