Insomnia


Insomnia: What Keeps You From Getting A Good Night Sleep? Insomnia is a sleep disorder defined as too little or poor-quality sleep caused by one or more of the following: Trouble falling asleep, Waking up a lot during the night with difficulty returning to sleep, Waking up too early in the morning, Having non-restorative sleep (not feeling well rested) even after sleeping sufficient amount of hours (7 to 8 hours) at night. Insomnia- is a symptom with an underlying cause and not a disease. It leads to significant problems during the day, such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or staying focused, depression, mood disorders, and irritability. Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). The severity of insomnia also can be classified as mild to severe depending on the length of time it is experienced and how often it occurs. Transient insomnia is short-term and lasts from a single night to a few weeks. Chronic insomnia is constant and occurs at least 3 nights a week over a month or more. More than 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia, one-third suffer with occasional insomnia, while chronic insomnia is known to effect more than 1 in 10 adults. Women being two times more likely to develop insomnia than men. Researchers have now determined that there is a link between insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders such as; irritable bowel syndrome. heartburn and indigestion. In addition, the flucuation and increase in hormonal activity resulting from insomnia can lead to anxiety, stress and depression further complicating the treatment plan and requiring further treatment modalities for any medical conditions or mental health problems that exist. In the further classification of insomnia, this sleep disorder is additionally categorized as either Primary Insomnia or Secondary Insomnia. Primary insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as, medications, alcohol or drug abuse). Approximately 15% of the patients fall into this category of primary insomnia following the ruling out of other predisposing conditions. Depression should be ruled out before primary insomnia is diagnosed because depression is very commonly the cause of secondary insomnia. The prescribed use of hypnotics and benzodiazepines are the gold standard of short-term treatment for primary insomnia. Secondary insomnia which is more common differs from primary insomnia in that a specific health or medical condition can be identified as the cause of the sleep problem. This means that a person is having the sleep problems because of something else, such as; asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, heartburn, pain, medications they are taking, or a substance they are using (like alcohol) to name a few. Secondary insomnia is the complaint of poor sleep which is precipitated or worsened by another disorder, either physical or mental. This type of insomnia is much more complex and can be caused by a whole variety of different things. Treatment is focused on addressing the underlying cause of insomnia before treating the symptoms of insomnia. Secondary insomnia can and often enough resolves or improves without treatment if you can eliminate its cause. Insomnia treatment for both primary and secondary insomnia might also include cognitive behavioral therapy (helping you to establish an environment, routine and mindset to promote sleep), dietary changes, exercise, relaxation and meditation, chromatherapy (color therapy), acupuncture, bright light therapy, dietary supplements and a range of herbal remedies. The availability of research today into psychological, lifestyle, environmental, physical and psychiatric factors behind sleep disorders is making it possible for healthcare professionals to help most people who suffer with insomnia. If you think you have insomnia, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will assess your current health and ask about any health problems you have had and if you are taking any medicine. A physical exam, blood tests, and, in some cases, sleep studies to help find out if you have a health problem that may be causing the insomnia, may be performed by your physician. He or she may recommend a counselor if your symptoms point to a mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your sleep problems and any other health issues you may have. Today more than ever there are so many available options and new treatment approaches being discovered through clinical research . For more information on all Clinical Research Studies being conducted at Bio Behavioral Health and to find out if you can participate in discovering newer and safer alternatives in therapeutic areas such as: Insomnia, Major Depressive Disprder, Bipolar Disorder, Alzheimers Disease, Anxiety Disorders, Dementia and Psychosis give us a call us at 732-244-2299 or visit our website: Bio Behavioral Health with expertise in Clinical Research Trials and Outpatient Psychiatric Services. People who participate often find these research studies to be beneficial and rewarding.
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Insomnia: What Keeps You From Getting A Good Night Sleep?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder defined as too little or poor-quality sleep caused by one or more of the following:

Trouble falling asleep, Waking up a lot during the night with difficulty returning to sleep, Waking up too early in the morning, Having non-restorative sleep (not feeling well rested) even after sleeping sufficient amount of hours (7 to 8 hours) at night.

Insomnia- is a symptom with an underlying cause and not a disease. It leads to significant problems during the day, such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or staying focused, depression, mood disorders, and irritability.

Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). The severity of insomnia also can be classified as mild to severe depending on the length of time it is experienced and how often it occurs. Transient insomnia is short-term and lasts from a single night to a few weeks. Chronic insomnia is constant and occurs at least 3 nights a week over a month or more.

More than 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia, one-third suffer with occasional insomnia, while chronic insomnia is known to effect more than 1 in 10 adults. Women being two times more likely to develop insomnia than men.

Researchers have now determined that there is a link between insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders such as; irritable bowel syndrome. heartburn and indigestion. In addition, the flucuation and increase in hormonal activity resulting from insomnia can lead to anxiety, stress and depression further complicating the treatment plan and requiring further treatment modalities for any medical conditions or mental health problems that exist.

In the further classification of insomnia, this sleep disorder is additionally categorized as either Primary Insomnia or Secondary Insomnia.

Primary insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as, medications, alcohol or drug abuse). Approximately 15% of the patients fall into this category of primary insomnia following the ruling out of other predisposing conditions. Depression should be ruled out before primary insomnia is diagnosed because depression is very commonly the cause of secondary insomnia. The prescribed use of hypnotics and benzodiazepines are the gold standard of short-term treatment for primary insomnia.

Secondary insomnia which is more common differs from primary insomnia in that a specific health or medical condition can be identified as the cause of the sleep problem. This means that a person is having the sleep problems because of something else, such as; asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, heartburn, pain, medications they are taking, or a substance they are using (like alcohol) to name a few. Secondary insomnia is the complaint of poor sleep which is precipitated or worsened by another disorder, either physical or mental. This type of insomnia is much more complex and can be caused by a whole variety of different things. Treatment is focused on addressing the underlying cause of insomnia before treating the symptoms of insomnia. Secondary insomnia can and often enough resolves or improves without treatment if you can eliminate its cause.

Insomnia treatment for both primary and secondary insomnia might also include cognitive behavioral therapy (helping you to establish an environment, routine and mindset to promote sleep), dietary changes, exercise, relaxation and meditation, chromatherapy (color therapy), acupuncture, bright light therapy, dietary supplements and a range of herbal remedies.

The availability of research today into psychological, lifestyle, environmental, physical and psychiatric factors behind sleep disorders is making it possible for healthcare professionals to help most people who suffer with insomnia. If you think you have insomnia, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.

Your doctor will assess your current health and ask about any health problems you have had and if you are taking any medicine. A physical exam, blood tests, and, in some cases, sleep studies to help find out if you have a health problem that may be causing the insomnia, may be performed by your physician. He or she may recommend a counselor if your symptoms point to a mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your sleep problems and any other health issues you may have. Today more than ever there are so many available options and new treatment approaches being discovered through clinical research

. For more information on all Clinical Research Studies being conducted at Bio Behavioral Health and to find out if you can participate in discovering newer and safer alternatives in therapeutic areas such as: Insomnia, Major Depressive Disprder, Bipolar Disorder, Alzheimers Disease, Anxiety Disorders, Dementia and Psychosis give us a call us at 732-244-2299 or visit our website: Bio Behavioral Health with expertise in Clinical Research Trials and Outpatient Psychiatric Services. People who participate often find these research studies to be beneficial and rewarding.