Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition when a patient has difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up too early and being unable to go back to sleep, or experiencing sleep that is not restorative.

Acute insomnia- temporarily being unable to get enough sleep for days or weeks, up to three months
Chronic insomnia- sleeping problems lasting longer than three months occurring at least three or four times a week
Primary insomnia- sleeplessness that occurs not resulting from an existing medical condition

Often insomnia can be developed from a preexisting medical issue like COPD, asthma, or chronic pain, or a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety

Insomnia Facts

50 million Americans suffer from insomnia
About 30% of adults experience insomnia
Women are more affected by insomnia than men
Insomnia increases with age
$50 billion is lost in productivity each year due to insomnia
Sleep disorders are linked to a growing number of health problems including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and high blood pressure

Healthy Sleep Tips

Create a bedtime routine
Get a sufficient amount of exercise, but not in the late evening
Keep bright lights like device screens low
Sleep in a cooler room
Limit naps to around 20 minutes
De-stress before bedtime with stretches, yoga, or meditation
Go to bed a little hungry
Get plenty of natural light
Find a comfortable position
Hide your clock at night
Do not drink coffee after lunch
Use a night light
Keeping a sleep diary can help pinpoint the cause of insomnia
Some natural remedies include taking 500mg of magnesium daily, taking melatonin, drinking chamomile tea