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What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a person has trouble falling asleep and, in many cases, cannot stay asleep. It is also characterized by the inability to achieve a deep, restful sleep for long periods of time. While many people can fall asleep and maintain a REM state for several hours, they cannot achieve the deep, non-REM sleep needed that allows the body to begin to heal itself. Without this deep sleep, the body can begin to deteriorate physically, resulting in a higher risk of injuries and muscle weakness. Individuals who live fast-paced, stressful lives often complain about having insomnia or not being able to get enough sleep.
“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together."
~ Thomas Dekker
How is it treated?
Insomnia is treated in a variety of ways. CBT-I or Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia is one way to help control a person's sleeping patterns. Removing or breaking unhealthy patterns that disrupt sleep is an integral part of the therapy program. The key is to create the ideal environment to achieve a good night's sleep. This means creating positive lifestyle habits and patterns that will encourage the body to fall asleep and remain asleep so that the body can achieve the deepest level of non-REM sleep possible. Changing a person's behavior prior to sleep is also part of the treatment plan. This can include eliminating caffeine, heavy foods, or tobacco products just before bedtime.
What is Sleep Deprivation?
Sleep deprivation occurs when the body does not get sufficient amounts of sleep to function optimally throughout the day. Without adequate amounts of sleep, the body begins to deteriorate over time. Achieving a deep, restful sleep for a few hours each night is needed so that the body can rejuvenate and heal itself on a cellular level. When a person becomes sleep deprived, it is harder for them to focus on tasks, remain alert, and react effectively to various types of stimuli. The body is not given a sufficient chance to heal from the day's activities. If this is allowed to continue, the person's health will begin to deteriorate and they will become more susceptible to illness and injury.
Bluepoint Medical Associates specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia, as well as many other sleep disorders.
Insomnia is a common complaint which includes difficulty falling asleep or staying sleep despite adequate opportunity resulting in daytime impairment such as sleepiness and fatigue. Sleeplessness starts in your brain. Electrochemical signals called neurotransmitters control whether we are asleep or awake. During normal sleep cycles, the neurotransmitters should “switch off” the signals that keep us awake. When neurotransmitters become unbalanced, the signals don’t work the way they should. It disrupts the sleep patterns keeping you up all night.
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