Insomnia: Insomnia affects most people at some point in their lifetime. Insomnia is actually a symptom of a condition, disease, or situation. Non-medical treatment of insomnia includes:
- sleep hygiene,
- relaxation therapy,
- stimulus control, and
- sleep restriction.
There are many medications that can be prescribed to a person with insomnia.
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Disorders That Disrupt Sleep (Parasomnias)
Parasomnias are sleep problems that significantly disrupt the lives of those who suffer them. Parasomnias include speech and movements during sleep, sleep walking, night terrors, sleep paralysis , and abnomalities in the natural stages of sleep, among other problems. These problems are diagnosed through polysomnography (sleep testing), and can be treated with a combination of medications, sleep hygiene depending on the particular disorder. -
Understanding Insomnia Medications
Insomnia is a common problem for many people. Insomnia can be primary or secondary. Secondary causes of insomnia include medications, diseases, environmental factors, and pregnancy. Non-drug, home remedies, and OTC and prescription drugs that treat insomnia include: Sleeping pills Melatonin Sleep hygiene education Biofeedback Relaxation therapy Common side effects of sleeping pills include: Impaired coordination, balance, or mental alertness Depression Suicidal thoughts -
Is It Safe to Take Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland, a pea-sized gland located in the brain. Melatonin helps send signals to distant organs and plays a role in sleep. Nausea, dizziness, vomiting are common side effects of melatonin supplements. Low doses in over-the-counter melatonin are generally safe, but talk to your doctor to avoid drug interactions and other problems. -
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or medications). Symptoms of primary insomnia include: Difficulty falling asleep Frequently awakening during the night Atypical reactions to sleep medications Tense Treatment may include lifestyle changes, therapy, medication, or a combination of these. -
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorders caus disruption in the REM stage of sleep. In such disorders, the REM is deficient or absent, along with the normal paralysis that goes with it. This allows the sufferer to act out his dreams, often causing injury. REM sleep disorder can be a side effect of medication or a symptom of a serious neurological disease. Clonazepam and tricyclic antidepressants have proved effective in treating REM sleep disorders. -
Seasonal Depression (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is tied to seasons of the year. Symptoms include: depressed mood, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and poor concentration. Treatment may incorporate bright-light therapy and antidepressants. -
Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Children
Sleep and sleep disorders may be affected by a variety of factors. Learn about the different types of sleep disorders as well as symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. -
Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (the most common type) and central sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be caused by many factors such as strokes, heart failure, medications, or physical structures in the throat and mouth. Treatment range from medical devices to surgery. -
Sleep: Understanding the Basics
Sleep is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. In this state, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli. Sleep deprivation has many deleterious effects on the body. Sleep apnea and sleep paralysis are two common kinds of sleep disorders. Several activities can help one to fall asleep fast. -
Sleep Disorders and Aging
Sleep problems are common among people as they age. People tend to sleep less in later years, but other sleep issues can be caused by a variety of medical symptoms and drug side effects. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue and reduce the quality of life for senior citizens. Medications and sleep hygeine, or a combination of the two, can help. -
Sleep Disorders in People with Cancer
Sleep disorders are more common in people with cancer for several reasons: Tumors can cause sleep problems, Cancer drugs can cause sleep problems, Staying in the hospital can make it hard to sleep, Stress from cancer diagnosis can make it hard to sleep. Good sleep is crucial for healing and functioning, so insomnia, parasomnias, or hypersomina should be addressed as part of cancer treatment. -
Sleep Disorders in Women
Sleep disorders affect both men and women, but suffer these problems at double the rate of men. Psychosocial stress, hormonal changes, illness, and lifestyle factors can all affect sleep in women. Medications may be used to help women get to sleep, but losing weight, avoiding caffeine, getting plenty of exercise and overall good sleep hygiene can help in many cases. -
Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder
A person's circadian rhythm is an internal biological clock that regulates a variety of biological processes according to an approximate 24-hour period. A disorder of the circadian rhythm may cause sleeplessness on at transient or chronic basis. The disorder can be caused by air travel across time zones, shift work, irregular sleep-wake cycle, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and advanced sleep-phase syndrome. -
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder or "parasomnia." It is characterized by complex action and walking during sleep. This is common in children in early and middle adolescence. The sleepwalker doesn't remember what happens during these episodes.
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Expert Views and News
- Poor Sleep Worsens Recovery From Chronic Back Pain
- FDA Adds Boxed Warning to Insomnia Drugs
- Insomnia Common But Often Short-Lived
- Can ‘Talk Therapy' Help You Sleep?
- Insomnia, Anxiety Drugs May Raise Dementia Risk
- New Sleeping Pill Suvorexant Works in Early Studies
- Fear of the Dark May Trigger Insomnia
- Sleeping Pills Called "as Risky as Cigarettes"
- Insomnia Can Be Dangerous, But There's Rest for the Weary
- Middle-of-Night Sleeping Pill Intermezzo Approved
- Americans Are Flocking to Alternative Therapies
- Hammocks Help You Sleep
- Sleep Deprivation Plus Stress Hurts Blood Pressure
Insomnia Topic Guide - Visuals
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Insomnia Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
RamelteonRamelteon is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It works by affecting certain substances in your body that help regulate your "sleep-wake cycle."
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EszopicloneEszopiclone is a sedative that is used to treat insomnia. This medicine causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep...learn more »
ZaleplonZaleplon is a sedative that is used to treat insomnia. This medicine causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep...learn more »
ZolpidemZolpidem is used to treat insomnia. The immediate-release forms of zolpidem are Ambien, Intermezzo, Edluar, and Zolpimist, which...learn more »
TriazolamTriazolam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) similar to Valium. Triazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced and cause sleep pr...learn more »
DiphenhydramineDiphenhydramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching,...learn more »
Insomnia Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Alcoholism
Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life-threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Signs of a...learn more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can also be called "systemic exertion intolerance disease," and it has no known cause. The condition is characterized by severe l...learn more »
Anxiety
Anxiety as a medical condition is characterized by worry, fear, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems and other symptoms. Diarrhea, tremors, and rapi...learn more »
Barbiturate Abuse
Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effec...learn more »
Benzodiazepine Abuse
Benzodiazepines are a type of medication known as tranquilizers. Familiar names include learn more »