Insomnia (cont.)
How is insomnia treated?
The treatment of insomnia depends largely on the cause of the problem. In
cases where an obvious situational factor is responsible for the insomnia,
correcting or removing the cause generally cures the insomnia. For example, if
insomnia is related to a transient stressful situation, such as jet lag or an
upcoming examination, then insomnia will be cured when the situation resolves.
Generally speaking, the treatment of insomnia can be
divided into non-medical or behavioral approaches and medical therapy. Both approaches are necessary to
successfully treat insomnia, and combinations of these approaches may be more
effective than either approach alone.
When insomnia is related to a known medical or psychiatric condition, then
appropriate treatment of that condition is in the forefront of therapy for
insomnia in addition to the specific therapy for insomnia itself. Without
adequately addressing the underlying cause, insomnia will likely go on despite
taking aggressive measures to treat it with both medical and non-medical
therapies.
What are non-medical treatments for insomnia?
There are several recommended techniques used in treating people with
insomnia. These are non-medical strategies and are generally advised to be
practiced at home in combination with other remedies for insomnia, such as
medical treatments for insomnia and treatment for any underlying medical or
psychiatric disorders.
Some of the most important of these behavioral techniques are sleep hygiene,
stimulus control, relaxation techniques, and sleep restriction.
What is sleep hygiene?
Sleep hygiene is one of the components of non-medical treatments for insomnia
and includes simple steps that may improve initiation and maintenance of sleep.
Sleep hygiene consists of the following strategies:
- Sleep as much as possible to feel rested, then get out of bed (do not
over-sleep).
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Do not force yourself to sleep.
- Do not drink caffeinated beverages in the afternoon or evening.
- Do not drink alcohol prior to going to bed.
- Do not smoke, especially in the evening.
- Adjust the bedroom environment to induce sleep.
- Do not go to bed hungry.
- Resolve stress and anxiety before going to bed.
- Exercise regularly, but not 4-5 hours prior to bed time.
Next: How can stimulus control help with insomnia? »
- lorazepam, Ativan - Describes the medication lorazepam (Ativan) an antianxiety drug used for the management of anxiety disorders and anxiety associated with depression. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Congestive Heart Failure - Read about congestive heart failure symptoms like fatigue, abdomen, leg and ankle swelling, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, increased urination, nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.
- diphenhydramine, Benadryl - Explains the medication diphenhydramine (Benadryl), a drug used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of various allergic conditions such as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Latest Medical News
Sleep RSS