Trouble sleeping? Nearly everyone has had a few sleepless nights. But insomnia is considered chronic and a health concern when problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restorative sleep occur regularly and frequently. Sleep loss from insomnia affects as many as one in 10 adults. Chronic fatigue, disruption of sleep-wake cycles, dangerous drowsy driving and stress are just some of the negative effects of insomnia.
Insomnia can be caused by:
Stress, including stress resulting from the insomnia itself
Depression and anxiety
Stimulants: Prescription drugs such as antidepressants, high blood pressure and corticosteroid medications, and over-the-counter pain medications, decongestants and weight-loss products.
Changes in environment or work shift
Long-term use of sleep medications
Medical conditions that cause pain
Eating too much late in the evening
A change in health, activity level or sleep patterns
Other sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, can also cause symptoms of insomnia.
Treatment options
The Henry Ford Sleep and Research Center offers behavioral treatments to teach patients with insomnia new sleep behaviors. Some studies have shown behavioral therapies to be equally or more effective than sleep medications. They can also be used in combination with prescription sleep medications. Henry Ford operates a program that allows people with insomnia to meet in a group therapy setting and learn techniques to fight their condition over the long term - without the aid of prescription medications.
Taking prescription sleeping pills until there's less stress in your life may help you get to sleep until you notice benefits from behavioral treatments.
Tips for restful sleep
The sleep experts at the Henry Ford Sleep Center offer these tips for a good night's sleep:
Keep a consistent bedtime and wake time.
Exercise daily for 30 minutes or more, but at least a few hours before bedtime.
Engage in a quiet, relaxing activity an hour before bed. Take a bath, read or listen to music.
Get out of bed if you can't sleep. Keep lights low and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.
Avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
Hide your bedroom clock to reduce stress.
Check your medications to see if they may be contributing to your insomnia.
Control pain by talking to your doctor about medication or other options.
Avoid or limit naps, especially after 3 p.m.
Minimize sleep interruptions by keeping the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
Get Help at Henry Ford
Henry Ford Health System operates one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive sleep centers, helping more than 1,200 patients annually. The team of physicians, nurses and care providers work around the clock diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders, including insomnia. Sleep studies are routinely conducted at the Center, and because Henry Ford is a research center, a variety of treatment options are available which may not be offered at other sleep centers.
