Difference between revisions of "Insomnia"
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{{Medical Condition | {{Medical Condition | ||
− | |Description=Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder in which there is an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep as long as desired. While the term is sometimes used to describe a disorder demonstrated by polysomnographic or actigraphic evidence of disturbed sleep, this sleep disorder is often practically defined as a positive response to either of two questions: "Do you experience difficulty sleeping?" or "Do you have difficulty falling or staying asleep? | + | |Description=Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder in which there is an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep as long as desired.[1][2] While the term is sometimes used to describe a disorder demonstrated by polysomnographic or actigraphic evidence of disturbed sleep, this sleep disorder is often practically defined as a positive response to either of two questions: "Do you experience difficulty sleeping?" or "Do you have difficulty falling or staying asleep? |
Insomnia is most often thought of as both a medical sign and a symptom that can accompany several sleep, medical, and psychiatric disorders characterized by a persistent difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep or sleep of poor quality. Insomnia is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomnia can occur at any age, but it is particularly common in the elderly.Insomnia can be short term (up to three weeks) or long term (above 3–4 weeks); it can lead to memory problems, depression, irritability and an increased risk of heart disease and automobile related accidents. | Insomnia is most often thought of as both a medical sign and a symptom that can accompany several sleep, medical, and psychiatric disorders characterized by a persistent difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep or sleep of poor quality. Insomnia is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomnia can occur at any age, but it is particularly common in the elderly.Insomnia can be short term (up to three weeks) or long term (above 3–4 weeks); it can lead to memory problems, depression, irritability and an increased risk of heart disease and automobile related accidents. | ||
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|Resources= | |Resources= | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | ==Overview== | ||
+ | Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or '''having nonrefreshing sleep for at least 1 month.''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==What are the symptoms of Insomnia?== | ||
+ | *Symptoms include: | ||
+ | :*Difficulty falling asleep on most nights | ||
+ | :*Feeling tired during the day or falling asleep during the day | ||
+ | :*Not feeling refreshed when you wake up | ||
+ | :*Waking up several times during sleep | ||
+ | |||
+ | *People who have primary insomnia tend to keep thinking about getting enough sleep. The more they try to sleep, the greater their sense of frustration and distress, and the more difficult sleep becomes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==What causes Insomnia?== | ||
+ | *'''Primary insomnia''' refers to insomnia that is not caused by any known physical or mental condition. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *Insomnia is caused by many different things. The '''most common causes''' of insomnia are: | ||
+ | :*Alcohol | ||
+ | :*[[Anxiety]] | ||
+ | :*Coffee | ||
+ | :*[[Stress]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Secondary insomnia''' is caused by a medical condition. [[Clinical depression (patient information)|Depression]] is a very common cause of secondary insomnia. Often, insomnia is the symptom that causes people with depression to seek medical help. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
+ | Call your doctor if chronic insomnia has become a problem. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Diagnosis== | ||
+ | *Your health care provider will do a '''physical exam''' and ask you '''questions about your current medications, drug use, and medical history'''. Usually, these are the only methods needed to diagnose insomnia. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''[[Polysomnography]]''', an overnight sleep study, can help rule out other types of sleep disorders (such as [[Sleep apnea (patient information)|sleep apnea]]). | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Treatment options== | ||
+ | *The following tips can help improve sleep. This is called '''sleep hygiene'''. | ||
+ | :*Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine before bed. | ||
+ | :*Don't take daytime naps. | ||
+ | :*Eat at regular times each day (avoid large meals near bedtime). | ||
+ | :*Exercise at least 2 hours before going to bed. | ||
+ | :*Go to bed at the same time every night. | ||
+ | :*Keep comfortable sleeping conditions. | ||
+ | :*Remove the [[anxiety]] that comes with trying to sleep by reassuring yourself that you will sleep or by distracting yourself. | ||
+ | :*Use the bed only for sleep and sex. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Do something relaxing just before bedtime''' (such as reading or taking a bath) so that you don't dwell on worrisome issues. Watching TV or using a computer may be stimulating to some people and interfere with their ability to fall asleep. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''If you can't fall asleep within 30 minutes, get up and move to another room.''' Engage in a quiet activity until you feel sleepy. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *One method of preventing worries from keeping you awake is to keep a journal before going to bed. List all issues that worry you. By this method, you transfer your worries from your thoughts to paper. This leaves your mind quieter and more ready to sleep. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *If you follow these recommendations and still have insomnia, your doctor may prescribe medications such as [[benzodiazepines]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Where to find medical care for Insomnia?== | ||
+ | [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Insomnia/@-25.808366,135.3357202,5z?hl=en Directions to Hospitals Treating Insomnia] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
+ | *You should be able to sleep if you practice good sleep hygiene. See a doctor if you have chronic insomnia that does not improve. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *It is important to remember that your health is not at risk if you do not get 6 - 8 hours of sleep every day. Different people have different sleep requirements. Some do fine on 4 hours of sleep a night, while others only thrive if they get 10 - 11 hours. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Sleep requirements also change with age.''' Listen to your body's sleep signals and don't try to sleep more or less than is refreshing for you. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Possible complications== | ||
+ | *Daytime sleepiness is the most common complication, though there is some evidence that lack of sleep can also lower your immune system's ability to fight infections. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *Sleep deprivation is also a common cause of auto accidents, if you are driving and feel sleepy, take a break. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Source== | ||
+ | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000805.htm |
Revision as of 12:58, 2 February 2015
Insomnia is most often thought of as both a medical sign and a symptom that can accompany several sleep, medical, and psychiatric disorders characterized by a persistent difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep or sleep of poor quality. Insomnia is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomnia can occur at any age, but it is particularly common in the elderly.Insomnia can be short term (up to three weeks) or long term (above 3–4 weeks); it can lead to memory problems, depression, irritability and an increased risk of heart disease and automobile related accidents.
Those who are having trouble sleeping sometimes turn to sleeping pills, which can help when used occasionally but may lead to substance dependency or addiction if used regularly for an extended period.
Insomnia can be grouped into primary and secondary, or comorbid, insomnia.Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder not attributable to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause. It is described as a complaint of prolonged sleep onset latency, disturbance of sleep maintenance, or the experience of non-refreshing sleep. A complete diagnosis will differentiate between free-standing primary insomnia, insomnia as secondary to another condition, and primary insomnia co-morbid with one or more conditions.- Dr Terence Ting (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr Aneta Kotevski (Clinical Psychologist)
- Dr Francesco Piccolo (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr Amanuel Tesfai (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr Chee Choy (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr Miriam Vassallo (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Prof Roger Allen (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr Elizabeth Brown (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr Anup Desai (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
- Dr David Joffe (Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist)
Overview
Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or having nonrefreshing sleep for at least 1 month.
What are the symptoms of Insomnia?
- Symptoms include:
- Difficulty falling asleep on most nights
- Feeling tired during the day or falling asleep during the day
- Not feeling refreshed when you wake up
- Waking up several times during sleep
- People who have primary insomnia tend to keep thinking about getting enough sleep. The more they try to sleep, the greater their sense of frustration and distress, and the more difficult sleep becomes.
What causes Insomnia?
- Primary insomnia refers to insomnia that is not caused by any known physical or mental condition.
- Insomnia is caused by many different things. The most common causes of insomnia are:
- Secondary insomnia is caused by a medical condition. Depression is a very common cause of secondary insomnia. Often, insomnia is the symptom that causes people with depression to seek medical help.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your doctor if chronic insomnia has become a problem.
Diagnosis
- Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your current medications, drug use, and medical history. Usually, these are the only methods needed to diagnose insomnia.
- Polysomnography, an overnight sleep study, can help rule out other types of sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea).
Treatment options
- The following tips can help improve sleep. This is called sleep hygiene.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine before bed.
- Don't take daytime naps.
- Eat at regular times each day (avoid large meals near bedtime).
- Exercise at least 2 hours before going to bed.
- Go to bed at the same time every night.
- Keep comfortable sleeping conditions.
- Remove the anxiety that comes with trying to sleep by reassuring yourself that you will sleep or by distracting yourself.
- Use the bed only for sleep and sex.
- Do something relaxing just before bedtime (such as reading or taking a bath) so that you don't dwell on worrisome issues. Watching TV or using a computer may be stimulating to some people and interfere with their ability to fall asleep.
- If you can't fall asleep within 30 minutes, get up and move to another room. Engage in a quiet activity until you feel sleepy.
- One method of preventing worries from keeping you awake is to keep a journal before going to bed. List all issues that worry you. By this method, you transfer your worries from your thoughts to paper. This leaves your mind quieter and more ready to sleep.
- If you follow these recommendations and still have insomnia, your doctor may prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines.
Where to find medical care for Insomnia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Insomnia
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- You should be able to sleep if you practice good sleep hygiene. See a doctor if you have chronic insomnia that does not improve.
- It is important to remember that your health is not at risk if you do not get 6 - 8 hours of sleep every day. Different people have different sleep requirements. Some do fine on 4 hours of sleep a night, while others only thrive if they get 10 - 11 hours.
- Sleep requirements also change with age. Listen to your body's sleep signals and don't try to sleep more or less than is refreshing for you.
Possible complications
- Daytime sleepiness is the most common complication, though there is some evidence that lack of sleep can also lower your immune system's ability to fight infections.
- Sleep deprivation is also a common cause of auto accidents, if you are driving and feel sleepy, take a break.