Insomnia
What is it?
Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a common condition where there is an inability to either fall asleep or stay asleep for as long is desired. People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
Lack of sleep can impact all aspects of a person's life. One may be more irritable, lack focus and concentration, and suffer from poor memory. Many adults experience insomnia at some point, but some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia. Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be secondary due to other causes, such as a disease or medication.
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
- Waking up too early in the morning
- Feeling tired upon waking
Lack of sleep can impact all aspects of a person's life. One may be more irritable, lack focus and concentration, and suffer from poor memory. Many adults experience insomnia at some point, but some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia. Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be secondary due to other causes, such as a disease or medication.
Key Points:
- 20%-40% of all adults have insomnia in the course of any year
- 1 out of 3 people have insomnia at some point in their lives
- Just under 8 million Canadians suffer from disorders of sleep and wakefulness
- More than half of all Canadians lose sleep due to stress and worry.
- Lack of sleep leads to irritability, poor concentration and memory and weight gain, and increases cancer risk.
How do we treat it?
One of the most important parts of treatment is to help patients rapidly restore a normal restful sleep experience. This helps reduce the morning fatigue that many suffer when not getting a good night's sleep. To help patients reach this end, I utilize medicinal support, sleep hygiene, diet, and general lifestyle changes all designed to help one find a restful night's sleep.
