Insomnia Treatment in Annapolis, MD

The board-certified sleep specialists at Annapolis Asthma Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients throughout the Annapolis area for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Our sleep specialists will take the time to fully evaluate your specific case of insomnia in order to determine the treatment option that is best for you. If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of insomnia, please call (410) 266-1644 to schedule an appointment at our sleep center in Annapolis, MD today!

What Is Insomnia?

Anyone that has difficulty falling or staying asleep, even when they are free of distraction or disturbance, is considered to have a sleep disorder known as insomnia. A few nights of inadequate rest does not necessarily mean that an individual has insomnia, but if these symptoms persist for three or more months, they are likely suffering from some kind of sleep disorder.

What Are the Different Types of Insomnia?

There are an infinite number of reasons as to why any person would have trouble sleeping. If an individual’s insomnia can be linked to another medical condition such as depression or even heartburn, then it is categorized as secondary insomnia.

Another type of insomnia called primary insomnia describes a situation in which the person does not have any other associated conditions with their sleeping disorder.

What’s the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Insomnia?

An additional distinction exists between insomnia that lasts for a short period (acute insomnia) and insomnia that lasts long term (chronic insomnia).

Acute insomnia typically applies to those who experience insomnia as a result of stress or other serious events going on in their personal lives. For example, you may find it difficult to sleep for several weeks after the passing of a loved one, but eventually your sleep schedule will stabilize again. In addition to stress, other common causes of acute insomnia include:

• New medications
• Environmental factors such as loud noises or temperature fluctuations
• Illness
• Physical discomfort
• Sudden changes in your sleep schedule like switching from working a day shift to a night shift

Those with chronic insomnia will find that their sleeping issues exist no matter what is or is not happening in their personal life. Chronic insomnia generally lasts much longer than acute insomnia, and is often caused by:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Persistent stress
• Physical discomfort

How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?

It is important to talk with your doctor if you notice that you have difficulty sleeping for approximately three nights out of the week. First, your doctor will start the process of diagnosing your insomnia by completing a physical exam to see if there is any reason why you would be experiencing significant discomfort at night.

It can also be helpful to keep track of your symptoms by writing them down in a sleep journal. The more information you are able to provide, the better. Additional sleep tests may be conducted by a specialist if necessary.

How Is Insomnia Treated?

Once the cause of a patient’s insomnia has been determined, your physician will move on to helping them find a suitable treatment option such as:

• Lifestyle changes to encourage good sleeping habits
• Prescribed medication
• Behavioral therapy to teach sleep techniques for proper relaxation

For cases of chronic insomnia, it is important to treat the underlying condition that is leading to the person’s disordered sleeping. This can address emotional issues, physical issues, or both.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills are not recommended for people who suffer from insomnia, as they do not remain effective long-term.

Schedule Your Insomnia Treatment in Annapolis, MD Today!

To learn more about insomnia and how it may affect you in your daily life, contact our sleep specialists for a one-on-one consultation to review the severity of your condition and the treatment options available. To schedule a consultation for insomnia treatment, please call Annapolis Asthma, Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists at (410) 266-1644 to schedule your appointment at our sleep center in Annapolis, MD.