Insomnia is quite a popular sleep disorder which can make it very difficult to fall or difficult to remain asleep. It can also lead you to awake several times in the night and unable to get back into sleep again. Most of the time, insomnia can be traced back to an unhealthy lifestyle and/or to the onset of certain medical conditions.
Generally, insomnia therapy starts with proper diagnosis of the sleep-related condition and correct sleep hygiene steps followed by therapy and prescription medication. If you are suffering from rebound insomnia, there are several over-the-counter and prescription medications available. You need to consult your doctor for the best treatment.
Depression is one of the biggest causes of insomnia in older adults. As a matter of fact, depression is the second most common cause behind insomnia. Therefore, if you suspect that you might be suffering from depression or have even experienced depression symptoms recently, it is imperative that you see a doctor right away. Depression can lead to more serious issues like bipolar disorder and other mental disorders that will only make your problems worse.
Another sleep disorder often associated with depression is restless leg syndrome. This is characterized by the inability to remain asleep, especially when going to sleep or during naps. Some research indicates that this can also result from the natural wear and tear of the muscles in the legs making it difficult for them to relax and go to sleep. Restless leg syndrome is also often linked to physical health problems like arthritis and poor circulation.
Some people do not necessarily develop another condition, while others do. Insomnia is often a symptom of another condition. One of the most common causes of insomnia is medical conditions. If you have one of the many medical conditions listed above it is likely that you may also be experiencing some type of insomnia as a side effect. Some of the medical conditions that can affect sleep include:
One of the most successful forms of insomnia treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change the thoughts and behaviors that lead to sleep problems. It does this by helping you identify what is causing the patterns of bad behavior. Once you know what it is you are doing that leads to your insomnia, you can change your behavior to avoid doing it again.
Certain types of diseases and health conditions can lead to insomnia. Examples of these conditions include: obstructive Sleep Apnea, restless leg syndrome and sleeping disorders related to the circadian rhythm disorders. Some medications such as sedatives and some antibiotics can also disrupt the natural pattern of our sleep. It is important that you discuss these health conditions with your doctor and consider the potential benefits of using an insomnia therapy. The effects of these therapies can vary depending on the person and the severity of the condition.
Another form of insomnia therapy is the Transient Facet Neurofeedback. This technique is often used with patients who are suffering from mild to moderate sleep disorders. The Transient Facet is different than most other forms of behavioral therapies because it focuses on the temporal association of brainwaves. This means that instead of the brain identifying certain brainwave patterns as being the cause of an altered state of consciousness, it actually causes those brainwaves to be produced in a certain order. This technique has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of depression and improve quality of life in middle-aged and older adults suffering from sleep disorders.
Sleep disorder clinics around the country are now offering this treatment as part of their comprehensive medical treatment for insomnia patients. This treatment helps to improve daytime sleepiness and also improves nighttime sleepiness. Some of the illnesses that can improve with this treatment are: seasonal affective disorder, RLS, obstructive sleep apnea and sleep apnoea.
There is now a new line of insomnia medicines available on the market called CBT-I (complementary and alternative therapies for insomnia). It combines traditional insomnia treatments with cognitive behavioral therapy that helps patients identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to persistent insomnia. CBT-I was developed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is based at the University of Arizona. It can be used to treat insomnia, sleep problems such as snoring, OSA or obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy or other sleep disorders.
You may also recommend dietary supplements to help you with your insomnia problem. In this case, you should talk with your doctor or a dietitian. Your doctor may recommend using prescription or over the counter dietary supplements to help treat your disorder. However, if you choose to use dietary supplements to treat your sleeplessness, make sure they are safe.