Difficulty falling a sleep

Description

Difficulty falling a sleep or Insomnia. A sleeping disorder which is characterized by difficulty falling a sleep, waking up during night, early awakening or their combination. Most often occurs in the elderly. Primary insomnia is insomnia which does not have any specific cause. Secundary insomnia may be caused by anxiety due to life crisis or some bigger change in life, medical or psychological problems or use of drugs.

Symptoms

Difficulty falling asleep, sense of tiredness, waking up several times during the night. People with primary insomnia often think about that how to get enough sleep. The more they try to sleep, the more frustrated and nervous they get, and falling asleep becomes more difficult.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. A sleep study may be done to exclude sleep-apnea and other disorders that may be cause of insomnia.

Additional analyses

Polysomnography

Specialists

General Practice, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry

Therapy

Changes in behavior and habits may alleviate the symptoms: 1) avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before going to bed, 2) avoid napping during a day, 3) have regular meals and avoid large meals in the evening, 4) exercise earlier during the day, 5) do not not stay in bed if you do not succeed to fall asleep in 10 minutes, 6) go to sleep always at same time, 7) try to make a room, in which you sleep, comfortable and quiet, 8) use the bed just for sleep or sexual activity. Medicines such as zolpidem,zaleplon,eszopiclone, may be prescribed for persistant insomnia. Melatonin is frequently recommended for insomnia.