HOW TO DEAL WITH INSOMNIA (LACK OF SLEEP)

This is an inability to catch or maintain sleep, or both. Daytime functioning may be impaired or rendered useless as a result. Insomnia is more common among adults although it affects all ages including children. It affects more women than men. There is a difference between insomnia and other similar conditions such as sleep deprivation and short duration sleep. Short duration sleep is when some requires less time to sleep, and this does not impair daytime functioning. Sleep deprivation is when voluntarily abstain from sleep due to one reason or the other such as lack of opportunity or time to sleep. Symptoms of insomnia include:
daytime sleepiness and fatigue, energy deficiency, lack of concentration and poor attention, mood changes, poor social function, headaches, increased mistakes and errors.

Medical intervention is needed when insomnia persists. The doctor should evaluate you to know if the insomnia is related to a medical condition or psychiatric condition. Medical history of the patient should be assessed. Also, certain questionnaires should be taken both from the patient and the relative.

Causes of insomnia

Notable causes of insomnia include: physical discomfort (hot, cold, noise or unfamiliar surrounding), stressful life situations (divorce, bereavement, break up, losing a job or preparing for an exam), illicit drug abuse, cigarette smoking, working different shift, caffeine intake, alcohol intoxication, sleep hygiene. Insomnia may be resolved if these factors are dealt with.

Sleep hygiene.  This play important role in insomnia. Poor sleep hygiene includes: using the bedroom to another function other than sleep, eating before sleeping, sleeping in a noisy room or in a room close to an urban road, doing your work in bed.

Medical conditions includes: obesity, breathing problems, frequent urination, chronic pain, acid reflux, menstrual pain, and Parkinson disease.

Psychiatric conditions are: depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder.

Treatment.

The treatment rely largely on the cause of the problem. Dealing with the cause will totally cure the insomnia. For instance, if the cause of the insomnia is an anticipating exam, the insomnia will be treated when the cause is resolved. Treatment of insomnia may be behavioral approach, non-medical approach or via medical therapy.

Behavioral technique in treating insomnia include: sleep hygiene, relaxation technique, stimulus control and sleep restriction.

Medications for treating insomnia include: sedatives and hypnotics (benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines). Drugs under benzodiazepine class used in successful treatment of insomnia include: quazepam (doral), triazolam (halcion), estazolam (ProSom), temazepam (restoril), flurazepam, lorazepam. Diazepam (valium) is not always used due its long term sedative outcomes. Non-benzodiazepine includes: zaleplon (sonata), zolpidem and eszopiclone (lunesta). Melatonin, a sleep inducing chemical is a supplement form can used in treating insomnia. It can be purchased without prescription. Also anti-depressants (trazodone, doxepin) may be used effectively in treating patients suffering from insomnia.

You need a doctor to decide which of those medicines is best for a specific individual. Many of these medications can cause addiction and potential abuse so they need to be used with caution. They should not be taken without adequate supervision and prescription from the physician.