Insomnia is the inability to get sufficient sleep due to difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently, and experiencing fatigue even after sleeping. When people don’t get enough restorative sleep, a wide variety of problems can result. Insomnia can result in mood changes, depression, difficulty concentrating, lack of focus, fatigue and impaired judgment.
Causes of insomnia include:
• Medical conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, cancer and other conditions
• Stress
• Prescription or illegal drug use
• Depression or anxiety
• Lack of a restful sleeping environment
• Social factors, including unemployment, divorce, bereavement
• Primary insomnia is diagnosed when there are no underlying causes found
Insomnia is diagnosed with a sleep diary that tracks sleep patterns, routines, symptoms and amount of sleep the patient gets each night. The doctor will usually examine the medical history and perform a physical exam to rule out underlying health conditions that can result in insomnia. Sometimes patients are sent to a sleep center for a sleep study and further testing.
The treatment for insomnia varies, depending on the underlying cause. If the inability to get enough quality sleep is caused by a medical condition, treatment of that condition will often resolve the problem. Lifestyle factors, such as routines, alcohol and caffeine consumption and other factors may be addressed to treat insomnia. Other treatments include relaxation therapy, sleep therapy, reconditioning and medications in some cases.
Ideas to try for better sleep include:
• Creating a sleep routine for going to bed and waking each day
• Cutting out alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants
• Creating a bedroom environment that is conducive to sleep, such as comfortable bedding, lighting, temperature and sound
• No eating for three hours before going to sleep
• Increasing exercise, which can encourage better sleep patterns
• See the doctor if the problem persists
Additionally, we have found that cortisol production has a significant impact on not only a patient’s ability to fall asleep but to stay asleep. Therefore, as part of our hormone test we measure cortisols on a full 24 hour cycle (a Circadian Panel). This information is often the missing piece in discovering why a person has a sleep issue, as well as giving us the information needed to address the issue and normalize their sleep patterns.
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