Treating Insomnia

Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, sleep paralysis, delayed sleep phase syndrome are all highly discussed sleep disorders, the most common of which is insomnia.  Many people just cannot get to sleep or cannot stay asleep.

If you suffer from insomnia, the first thing to do is talk to your doctor.  Often there's an underlying cause for the disorder.  A study done by Washington State Researchers revealed that many people who sought medical care for insomnia were actually suffering from a mental disorder, most often depression.

Insomnia is actually a symptom rather than a disease in and of itself.  Painful conditions, such as arthritis, can interfere with sleep.  Injuries that make lying down painful, especially injuries to the back or neck, can also make sleeping difficult.  Other sleep disorders -- sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, night terrors or nightmares -- that make one uneasy about falling asleep can often result in insomnia.

On the other hand, the effect of insomnia can cause a lot of problems.  Insomnia leads to sleep deprivation, and lack of sleep causes loss of concentration, memory problems, irritability and even depression.   Another reason to try to avoid insomnia is the link has been found between gastrointestinal illnesses and insomnia, especially irritable bowel syndrome.

Sleeping pills is often the cure of choice when insomniacs are unable to sleep.  These sometimes work, but in the morning it's difficult to wake up.  The individual may feel dazed and disoriented and may be unable to function at his best level.  Over-the-counter remedies, if they work at all, may well leave the same headachy, hangover sensations.

Other forms of sleeping aids, can restore natural sleep, making it possible to recover from insomnia and sleep deprivation, and get life back on track.

One popular choice of sleeping aid is a drug called Zolpidem, usually sold under the name Ambien.  This medication must be taken regularly for a few days before any benefit is noticed.  Never stop taking it without talking to your doctor and never stop abruptly.  Another warning: Avoid alcohol when taking this drug.  Combining the two could cause a coma and even death. And remember, although Ambien is not a narcotic, it is habit forming.

The second drug is Zaleplon, sold under the name Sonata.  Sonata causes little or no residual effects.   In other words, no next-day grogginess.  Unlike Ambien, sonata is a drug you can take when you need it, on nights when you can't sleep, and either before you retire, or, if you go to bed and discover you can't sleep, you can take Sonata in the middle of the night. There are no known side effects and  because  Sonata is designed for occasional or short-term use, there is far less habit-forming potential than for other drugs.

Remember: Sleep and mood are closely related.  If you are suffering from insomnia and depression, our articles about insomnia and depression have some excellent tips for getting back to a regular sleep pattern.