Insomnia Treatment – Expert Help for Sleepless Nights

Insomnia means trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. It is the most common sleep problem people report. When it lasts 3 months or more, it is called chronic. Then you should get checked by a sleep specialist.

What are the types of insomnia?

• Trouble falling asleep — Called sleep-onset insomnia.
• Trouble staying asleep — Called sleep-maintenance insomnia. You wake up during the night.
• Waking too early — You wake up too early and cannot fall back asleep.
• Insomnia with another condition — Called comorbid insomnia. It comes along with another health or mental health problem.

What treatments work?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

CBT-I is a type of talk-and-habits therapy for sleep. It is the top treatment, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends it. It changes the thoughts and habits that keep insomnia going. It uses:

• Sleep restriction — You limit your time in bed for a while.
• Stimulus control — You use your bed only for sleep, so your body links bed with sleep.
• Changing your thoughts — Called cognitive restructuring. You learn to calm worried thoughts about sleep.
• Ways to relax — Calming methods you can use at bedtime.
• Learning healthy sleep habits — Simple daily habits that support sleep.

Medicine

Sometimes, medicine may be used for a short time along with therapy. Dr. Patel checks each patient carefully to decide if medicine is needed. If it is, Dr. Patel picks the safest choice.

What causes insomnia?

• Stress and worry — A busy, worried mind.
• Poor sleep habits — Habits that make sleep harder.
• Health problems — Like pain or breathing problems.
• Medicines — Some can keep you awake.
• Substances — Caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine.
• Schedule changes — Shift work or jet lag.

Call (512) 931-1575 to set up your insomnia visit.