Insomnia

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder affecting your ability to sleep soundly. It makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both, and can majorly disrupt your daily routine. About one in three adults around the world has insomnia symptoms, which range from mild to severe and often debilitating when left untreated.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Insomnia symptoms may include:

• Trouble staying asleep
• Difficulty falling sleep
• Waking up in the middle of the night
• Waking up too early
• Fatigue 
• Memory concerns
• Slowed thinking or reaction times
• Trouble concentrating
• Confusion
• Mood changes
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability  

You might experience challenges during social or fun activities, work, school, or routine daily tasks. Insomnia is sometimes dangerous, increasing the risk of falling asleep while driving, experiencing falls, and work-related injuries.

What are the risk factors for insomnia?

Insomnia risk factors can include:

• Family history of insomnia
• Hormone changes
• Brain differences
• Chronic pain
• Chronic diseases
• Pregnancy
• Menopause 
• Stress
• Life changes
• Jet lag
• Fluctuating sleep schedules
• Late-in-the-day naps
• Being a light sleeper
• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Caffeine 
• Trauma
• Aging
• Mental health disorders

About half of people with ongoing insomnia have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety.

Left untreated, insomnia might increase your risk of high blood pressure, a stroke, a heart attack, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other chronic concerns.

How is insomnia diagnosed?

At RestoraMed Healthcare, Dr. Espinoza reviews your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history to learn if you might have insomnia, hypersomnia, or another type of sleep disorder. 

He completes a physical exam, orders blood tests, and offers a mental health evaluation. Dr. Espinoza provides access to a home sleep study to screen for sleep apnea, identify potential causes of disrupted sleep, and determine the best way to treat your condition.

How is insomnia treated?

Your customized insomnia treatment may consist of one or more of the following:

• Healthy lifestyle education
• Dietary supplements
• Medically supervised weight loss
• Medications
• Behavioral therapy 
• Stress management
• Light therapy 
• Chronic disease management 

It’s helpful to stay active, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and create a regular sleep schedule. Avoid naps, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day and don’t eat a large meal right before bed. 

Consider something relaxing before you sleep, such as taking a warm bath, getting a massage, reading a book, or trying deep breathing or meditation. 

Schedule an insomnia evaluation at RestoraMed Healthcare by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.