On average, your body needs about seven to nine hours of sleep each night in order to properly rest and heal from your daily exertion. It can be normal to have occasional sleeping problems. However, if you regularly find it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, you may be suffering from insomnia or another sleep disorder.
Left untreated, insomnia can cause chronic health problems, increase your risk of accidents, reduce your focus at work, and harm your overall quality of life. Luckily, there are a number of treatments available to help you overcome this common sleep condition.
If you are concerned you might have insomnia, Boston Neurobehavioral Associates are here to help. Our team of compassionate and qualified practitioners, led by Dr. Mohammad Munir, can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan so you can get the rest you deserve.
There are numerous types of sleep disorders, but insomnia is the most common. Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder that can cause you to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Insomnia is categorized by symptoms such as:
While many people struggle with a sleepless night from time to time, it’s important to seek treatment if these symptoms affect your ability to function normally.
There are also different types of insomnia, each of which may require specialized treatment approaches.
Acute insomnia refers to a brief period of sleeping problems. This may be caused by a sudden life stressor, such as a job or relationship change, and should resolve on its own.
Insomnia becomes a chronic issue when you have a recurring pattern of sleep difficulties. Usually, you need to meet the criteria of having sleep problems at least three nights a week for three months minimum.
Onset insomnia is defined by difficulty falling asleep at night. Stress, anxiety, or too much screen time at night can make it harder to relax and fall asleep.
Maintenance insomnia describes difficulty staying asleep. This is often caused by evening alcohol or caffeine consumption which can disrupt your deep sleep.
When insomnia occurs with or is caused by other conditions, it is called comorbid insomnia. Gastric reflux, arthritis, and chronic pain can cause discomfort that makes you wake up frequently at night, while psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety can cause insomnia symptoms.
Regardless of the type and cause of your insomnia, there are multiple effective treatment options available to you. During an insomnia evaluation, your practitioner at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates conducts an extensive medical and psychiatric history order to understand your unique circumstances. We then create a tailored treatment plan which may include:
Many people find that a combination of sleep exercises and therapy can be an effective treatment for insomnia. However, if your condition does require medication, our team will be there with you every step of the way to monitor your dosages and prevent unwanted pharmaceutical interactions.
Dr. Mohammad Munir and the rest of the team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates are proud to have offered patient-centered psychiatric and behavioral health care since 1998. We have six conveniently located offices across the greater Boston area and now offer telehealth services for your convenience. If you might be struggling with insomnia, schedule an appointment by calling us at 508-979-5557 or using our convenient online appointment form today.
