Chronic Insomnia
Overview
Insomnia, which means sleepless in Latin, is the inability to obtain sufficient sleep, making it difficult for an individual to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. Insomnia over a long period of time, or chronic insomnia leaves individuals feeling exhausted and irritable, reducing their quality of life and wellness.
Risk Factors
Your chances of developing insomnia may be greater if the following risk factors apply to you.
- High anxiety levels
- High stress levels
- Medications
- Excessive stimulants (caffeine, nicotine)
- Chronic pain
- Poor sleep habits
- Learned insomnia
- Circadian rhythm disorders (of the body’s natural clock)
- Eating too much late at night
- Older in age
- Being a woman
- Becoming less physically/ socially active
- Working at night
- Mental health disorder
- Frequently traveling across time zones
Symptoms
Symptoms from insomnia may include the following:
- Daytime sleepiness and/or irritability
- Falling asleep too late
- Walking up too late
- Tension headaches
- Increased errors or accidents
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Constantly worry about sleep
Diagnostic Tests
If your healthcare provider suspects insomnia, specialists at our Sleep Center will give you diagnostic tests to determine the best course of treatment.
- Physical exam
- Blood test
- Sleep-wake pattern questionnaire
- Sleep diary
- Overnight test monitoring & recording
Treatment
Specialists at our Sleep Center offer techniques that target the underlying causes of insomnia. Each treatment plan is customized to the individual.
- Good sleeping habits
- Relaxation techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Stimulus control
- Light therapy (use of light to trigger internal clock)
- Sleep restriction Medications
- Over-the-counter sleep medications
