Insomnia
Is Insomnia Keeping You Awake At Night?
Sleepless in Seattle and Elsewhere
If you haven’t been sleeping well, do you exhibit any symptoms? Are you constantly tired? Are you taking time to focus your vision? Are you irritable? Quick-tempered? Stressed out? Forgetful? Can’t concentrate? Slow to heal? Slow to recover from a virus or infection? Off your food? When you hear someone singing, “Can’t sleep at night”, do you respond, “You, too, eh?” Assuming that these indicators are not traits typical of your personality, they may be related to your lack of sleep, your sleep deprivation, your sleep disorder, your insomnia, call it what you will.
You Are Not Alone
On any given night, millions of Americans experience sleeplessness, but not every sleepless night can be laid at the feet of insomnia. Eating too much, too rich, too late might give you a sleepless night but is that the I word? The room may spin because of your last nightcap but is that insomnia?
The answer, as in many things, is to ask your health professional, if you think your sleeplessness is attributable to something other than heartburn. If you are losing or gaining weight, depressed or anxious, or frequently waking, you would be well advised to see your doctor.
A common sign is finding it difficult to fall asleep at night. Feeling restless, your mind racing, getting up, having a hot drink, reading, watching TV in the early hours of the morning, only to return to bed and still be unable to sleep would be typical. Finding it hard staying asleep for more than hour or two would also be typical.
Depressing
Insomnia associated with depression, other mental disorders or behavioural aberrations, is rarer and more serious; and definitely something to be brought to the notice of your doctor.
Symptoms may persist for days, weeks or longer, depending on the type. Transient insomnia symptoms last for a few nights only. If symptoms persist more than two or three weeks that would be indicative of the chronic variety.
We discuss a number of related issues in these pages, in particular how this condition may be diagnosed, its causes and possible treatments. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) the most common methods of treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or prescription medications. There are also a number of non-prescripion remedies available.
We discuss the types of medication available over-the-counter, for example, non-prescription sleeping pills containing an anti-histamine, or a herbal combination containing, for example, valeriana officianalis.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises that over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids that contain antihistamine are FDA-approved only for “occasional sleeplessness” by people who have trouble “falling asleep.” They are not intended for use over more than a few nights or for severe insomnia.
The AASM further advises that any instructions or product information included with an OTC insomnia treatment should be read carefully; such OTC products are intended only for bedtime use; OTC products should only be taken in accordance with the product information or as directed by a medical practitioner; they should not be taken by children under 12 years of age; they should not be taken with alcohol or other ’sleeping pill, sedative, tranquilizer, or another antihistamine’; nor should they be taken by ‘pregnant or nursing women and individuals with breathing problems or glaucoma’ who should consult a medical practitioner before taking such an OTC preparation.
As for the types of drug that only a doctor may prescribe, we discuss hypnotics, anti-psychotic and antidepressant medications.
Be assured that American health professionals have a considerable arsenal of weapons with which to fight and overcome your insomnia.
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