A treatment plan for insomnia can include treating an underlying medical problem, learning about and practicing good sleep hygiene, learning about and making behaviour changes, and taking sleep medications. If insomnia is caused by an underlying medical condition such as arthritis or depression, the condition should be treated first, as this will likely alleviate the insomnia.
Sleep hygiene includes basic things you can do to increase your chances of having a good night's sleep. Changing certain behaviours can also help improve sleep. As part of a treatment plan, your doctor might recommend any of the following sleep hygiene or behaviour changes:
- Develop a regular bedtime routine.
- Avoid sleeping in, extensive periods of horizontal rest or daytime napping; these activities usually worsen the subsequent night's sleep.
- Don't use the bedroom for daytime activities – just for intimacy and sleep.
- Don't consume caffeinated beverages (e.g. coffee, tea) after lunch.
- Don't go to bed thinking about work or other stressful matters – read a book for a while if this helps reduce stress.
- Learn to replace worrying thoughts about sleep with more positive ones.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends.
- If you have a back disorder, try lying on your back with a pillow under your knees.
- Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and not too warm – white noise devices can help drown out traffic sounds or a partner's snoring.
- Drink warm milk or have a warm bath before bed.
- Avoid heavy, spicy, or sugary foods 4 to 6 hours before bedtime; try a light carbohydrate snack (e.g. crackers and warm milk) instead
- Exercise during the day – if exercising before bed keeps you up, then exercise earlier.
- Try to cut down on smoking and alcohol, especially in the evening.
- Avoid watching the clock – just set the alarm and turn the clock around so you can't see the time.
- If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes of lying in bed, get up and do something relaxing. Try again once you feel sleepy.
- Stash the phone away at bedtime.
- Try relaxation techniques
Cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia is also available and incorporates many of the suggestions above. Your doctor may also prescribe a sleep medication, especially if your insomnia is caused by acute stress (e.g., loss of a loved one), or if non-medication approaches haven't helped. These medications can help in the short term (e.g., for a few weeks) when used on an as-needed basis as opposed to every night. However, they are not a cure and may even worsen insomnia if used for long periods of time. This happens when sleeping medications are stopped and the insomnia comes back even worse than before.
Benzodiazepines (e.g., temazepam*, triazolam, lorazepam, diazepam) are commonly used medications for insomnia. There are several benzodiazepines that can be used, although some have been studied more than others. Your doctor will consider your age, other medical conditions, and side effects of the benzodiazepine when selecting the one that is best for you. Some people can become physically dependent on benzodiazepines and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using them.
Many sleep medicines can also lead to tolerance (a reduced effect over time). For this reason, doctors don't like to prescribe them for long periods unless other treatments fail or it is clear that tolerance is not developing. These sleep medicines should never be combined with alcohol. Other medications used to treat insomnia include zopiclone and zolpidem, which are not benzodiazepines.
If you are prescribed a medication to help with sleep, it's important to continue to use non-medication approaches as well.
If odd working hours disturb your sleep rhythm, the best way to get back on track is to expose yourself to bright light in the morning. The evidence shows that this resets the body clock more effectively than the much-hyped supplement melatonin. Natural light causes the brain to later produce melatonin in darkness anyway.
Non-prescription medications that contain diphenhydramine are available. However, they should not be used without discussing with a health care professional first. If you find that you have sleep problems, it is best to see your doctor for a proper assessment.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2020. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Insomnia
