Treatments for Insomnia
Treatments for Insomnia
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Insomnia
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
- No treatment - mild cases may require no treatment.
- Sleeping pills - only for transient cases (e.g. jet lag); longer-term use requires strict medical supervision and is controversial.
- Treating the underlying cause of insomnia
- Sleep therapies
- Relaxation therapy
- Sleep restriction therapy
- Sleep reconditioning
- Consistent sleep schedule - if possible avoid jet lap, shift work, or other problems.
- Avoid daytime naps
- Changes to behavior
- Avoid stress
- Avoid worrying about not sleeping
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid nicotine - especially not smoking near bedtime.
- Avoid alcohol - especially near bedtime.
- Avoid using bed for non-sleep activity - except perhaps sex.
- Changes to sleep environment
- Avoid nosing environment
- Avoid cold environment
- Magnesium - possibly used for related magnesium deficiency
- The management of insomnia depends upon its etiology. However, even comorbid insomnia can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and a short-term course of a sedative-hypnotic or melatonin receptor agonist
- Hypnotherapy
- Avoid stimulants
- Relaxation techniques
- When the situation is resolved or the precipitating factor disappears, the condition goes away, usually without medical treatment
- Sleep hygiene
- Sleep-restriction therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Hypnotics
- Benzodiazepines
- Restyl
- Temazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Midazolam
- Zolpidem
- Zaleplon
- Zopiclone
- Amitrypline
- Antidepressants
- Antihistaminics
- Chlorpheniramine
Insomnia: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Insomnia may include:
Hidden causes of Insomnia may be incorrectly diagnosed:
- Common problems with the sleeping environment include:
- Sleeping area distractions
- Noise
- Extreme temperatures
- Poorly ventilated bedroom
- Stuffy bedroom
- more causes...»
Insomnia: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Insomnia:
Insomnia: Research Doctors & Specialists
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Drugs and Medications used to treat Insomnia:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Insomnia include:
- Diazepam
- Apo-Diazepam
- Diastat
- Diazemuls
- Diazepam Intensol Oral Solution
- Dizac
- E-Pam
- Meval
- Novo-Dipam
- Q-Pam
- Rival
- Valcaps
- Valium
- Valrelease
- Vazepam
- Vivol
- Zetran
- Flurazepam
- Apo-Flurazepam
- Dalmane
- Durapam
- Novo-Flupam
- Somnol
- Zaleplon
- Sonata
- Starnoc
- Zolpidem
- Ambien
- Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Excedrin P.M - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Goody's PM Powder - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Legatrin PM - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Percogesic Extra Strength - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Tylenol PM Extra Strength - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Tylenol Severe Allergy - mainly used to treat insomnia associated with pain
- Amobarbital
- Amytal
- Estazolam
- ProSom
- Tasedan
- Eszopiclone
- Lunesta
- Quazepam
- Doral
- Secobarbital
- Seconal
- Zopiclone
- Imovane
- Flunitrazepam
- Rohypnol
- Hypnoderm
- Nitrazepam
- Alodorm
- Mogadon
Unlabeled Drugs and Medications to treat Insomnia:
Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Insomnia include:
- Lorazepam
- Alzapam
- Apo-Lorazepam
- Ativan
- Loraz
- Intensol
- Novo-Lorazepam
- Nu-Loraz
- Mirtazapine - mainly used to treat presurgical insomnia
- Remeron - mainly used to treat presurgical insomnia
- Remeron Sol Tab - mainly used to treat presurgical insomnia
Latest treatments for Insomnia:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Insomnia:
Hospital statistics for Insomnia:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Insomnia:
- 0.001% (98) of hospital consultant episodes were for insomnias in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 98% of hospital consultant episodes for insomnias required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 74% of hospital consultant episodes for insomnias were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 26% of hospital consultant episodes for insomnias were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 6% of hospital consultant episodes for insomnias required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Medical news summaries about treatments for Insomnia:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Insomnia:
Discussion of treatments for Insomnia:
Insomnia: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Transient and intermittent insomnia may not require treatment since
episodes last only a few days at a time. For example, if insomnia is due
to a temporary change in the sleep/wake schedule, as with jet lag, the
person's biological clock will often get back to normal on its own.
However, for some people who experience daytime sleepiness and impaired
performance as a result of transient insomnia, the use of short-acting
sleeping pills may improve sleep and next-day alertness. As with all
drugs, there are potential side effects. The use of over-the-counter sleep
medicines is not usually recommended for the treatment of insomnia.
Treatment for diagnosed chronic insomnia include identifying behaviors
that may worsen insomnia and stopping (or reducing) them, possibly using
sleeping pills (although the long-term use of sleeping pills for chronic
insomnia is controversial), trying behavioral techniques to improve sleep,
such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, and
reconditioning.
(Source: excerpt from Insomnia: NWHIC)
A Good Night's Sleep - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
A good night's sleep can make a big difference in how you feel. Here
are some suggestions to help you:
Follow a regular schedule - go to sleep and get up at the same time.
Try not to nap too much during the day - you might be less sleepy at
night.
Try to exercise at regular times each day.
Try to get some natural light in the afternoon each day.
Be careful about what you eat. Don't drink beverages with caffeine
late in the day. Caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you awake. Also, if
you like a snack before bed, a warm beverage and a few crackers may help.
Don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes to help you sleep. Even small
amounts of alcohol can make it harder to stay asleep. Smoking is dangerous
for many reasons including the hazard of falling asleep with a lit
cigarette. The nicotine in cigarettes is also a stimulant.
Create a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Make sure there are
locks on all doors and smoke alarms on each floor. A lamp that's easy to
turn on and a phone by your bed may be helpful. The room should be dark,
well ventilated, and as quiet as possible.
Develop a bedtime routine. Do the same things each night to tell your
body that it's time to wind down. Some people watch the evening news, read
a book, or soak in a warm bath.
Use your bedroom only for sleeping. After turning off the light, give
yourself about 15 minutes to fall asleep. If you are still awake and not
drowsy, get out of bed. When you get sleepy, go back to bed.
Try not to worry about your sleep. Some people find that playing
mental games is helpful. For example, think black - a black cat on a black
velvet pillow on a black corduroy sofa, etc.; or tell yourself it's 5
minutes before you have to get up and you're just trying to get a few
extra winks. (Source: excerpt from A Good Night's Sleep - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Buy Products Related to Treatments for Insomnia
Book Excerpts: Treatment of Insomnia
Treatments of Insomnia: Online Medical Books
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for more information about the treatments of Insomnia.
Insomnia:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Acute transient insomnia: Reassurance, address stressors, treat identifiable underlying causes (e.g., pain), hypnotic agents for up to 7–10 days
- Chronic insomnia
–Improve sleep hygiene (e.g., consistent bed/wake time, sleep environment, medications/drugs, daytime exercise, avoid naps, hot bath near bedtime)
–Treat pain and underlying medical/psychiatric issues
–Behavioral treatments: Relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy (curtail time in bed to improve sleep efficiency), stimulus control therapy (bed only for sleep), cognitive therapy (restructure negative thoughts about sleep/daytime functioning)
–Medications are often used but none has demonstrated long-term efficacy nor safety
-
Obstructive sleep apnea: Weight loss, CPAP, surgery
-
RLS: Dopaminergic agents (e.g., carbidopa/levodopa, pergolide), benzodiazepines, opiates
-
Narcolepsy: Modafinil, amphetamines
>
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Insomnia:
Patient counseling
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Teach the patient comfort and relaxation techniques to promote natural sleep. (See Tips for relieving insomnia.) Advise him to awaken and retire at the same time each day and to exercise regularly. When he can’t sleep, advise him to get up but remain inactive. Urge him to use his bed only for sleeping, not for relaxation or watching television.
Advise the patient to use tranquilizers or sedatives for acute insomnia only when relaxation techniques fail. If appropriate, refer him for counseling or to a sleep disorder clinic for biofeedback training or other interventions.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Insomnia:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Teach the patient comfort and relaxation techniques to promote natural sleep. (See Tips for relieving insomnia.) Advise him to awaken and retire at the same time each day and to exercise regularly. When he can’t sleep, advise him to get up but remain inactive. Urge him to use his bed only for sleeping, not for relaxation or watching TV.
Advise the patient to use tranquilizers or sedatives for acute insomnia only when relaxation techniques fail. If appropriate, refer him for counseling or to a sleep disorder clinic for biofeedback training or other interventions.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Insomnia:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Prepare the patient for tests to evaluate his insomnia, such as blood and urine studies for 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and catecholamines, polysomnography (including an EEG, electro-oculography, and electrocardiography), and sleep studies.
▪ Institute measures to help relieve insomnia. (See Tips for relieving insomnia, page 341.)
Patient teaching
▪ Teach the patient comfort and relaxation techniques to promote natural sleep.
▪ Advise him to awaken and retire at the same time each day and to exercise regularly, but not close to bedtime.
▪ Encourage the patient to avoid caffeinated beverages at least 3 hours before bedtime.
▪ Refer the patient to counseling or a sleep disorder clinic as needed.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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