Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Are you suffering from insomnia?
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep issues that often appears in times of stress. Most people around the world will experience insomnia in their lifetimes. It may pass when the stressful episode concludes but sometimes it may linger due to an underlying issue.
With many possible causes Auckland Sleep will look at different aspects of the patient’s sleeping habits to provider a personalized treatment plan as well as the ongoing support they need on their journey to better sleep. You’re not alone in this. The first course of action to developing an effective and personalised treatment plan is to gather information via our Sleep Questionnaire.
How we treat insomnia
With many possible causes, insomnia requires an approach that comes at the problem from all angles.
Our multi-disciplinary team can quickly assess the severity of your insomnia and guide you towards the best treatment plan for your condition. Whether you require clinical treatment, mental health support, or simply need to adjust your lifestyle, our team of experts provides ongoing care throughout your journey.
Our goal is to address the root cause of your insomnia to provide long-term relief.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleeping disorder where a person struggles to get to sleep, can’t maintain sleep, and/or wakes frequently during the night. Bouts of insomnia can be temporary or persistent. Sufferers of insomnia not only feel physically drained but also experience mental fatigue, mood swings, poor work performance, and decreased quality of life. Around 45% of New Zealand adults report experiencing insomnia symptoms at least once a week.
The initial symptoms of insomnia include:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking up frequently during the night
- Waking up early, unable to fall back to sleep
- Feeling fatigued during the day
Other symptoms develop over prolonged bouts of insomnia, and include:
- Poor performance at work
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety around sleep
- Difficulty paying attention
Most people experience bouts of temporary (acute) insomnia, which can last just a few days or several days. More severe (chronic) insomnia can last months or years. The causes of acute and chronic insomnia vary.
Causes of acute insomnia
Acute insomnia is often caused by temporary stresses or changes in your lifestyle. Common causes of acute insomnia include:
- Shift work (switching between night shift and day shift)
- Stress
- Jet lag
- Physical pain or discomfort in the body
- A sudden life change (a death, a break-up, loss of employment)
- Caffeine intake late in the day
- Eating late in the evening
- Alcohol/drug use
- An inconsistent sleep schedule
Causes of chronic insomnia
Chronic insomnia can be caused by underlying medical conditions, psychiatric disorders, poor sleep hygiene, or other sleep disorders.
- Medical conditions linked to chronic insomnia: nasal allergies, asthma, obesity, acid reflux, congestive heart failure, arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic pain.
- Psychiatric conditions linked to chronic insomnia: anxiety, depression, PTSD, psychosis, mania.
- Sleep disorders linked to chronic insomnia: sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, sleep walking, circadian sleep disturbance.
Treating temporary insomnia
Temporary insomnia can often be alleviated through simple lifestyle adjustments and good sleep hygiene. Recommendations for rediscovering a good night’s sleep include:
- A consistent sleep schedule – keep a consistent bedtime and wake up time, including on weekends
- Regular exercise – stay active with daily exercise to help you get to sleep and stay asleep
- Create a comfortable sleep environment – limit light and outside noise and don’t use your bed for other activities such as work or browsing the internet
- Limit caffeine intake – cut down on your coffee intake and avoid caffeine from mid-afternoon.
Treating chronic insomnia
Treatment for chronic insomnia varies depending on whether it has been triggered by a medical condition, a psychiatric condition, or a sleep disorder. There are often multiple factors contributing to chronic insomnia, so it is important to get a comprehensive diagnosis. One of the most successful treatments for chronic insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) instigates changing behaviors that are preventing you from sleeping. Using methods such as stimulus control, CBT-I can remove frustration and anxiety around not falling asleep. CBT-I also includes relaxation training and sleep hygiene training to make bedtime a relaxing, pleasant experience.
Getting a diagnosis
Many things can cause disrupted sleep. This can make diagnosing sleep apnoea difficult. If you suspect you may have sleep apnoea, you should make an appointment to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist). We recommend that your partner comes with you to the appointment as they can often describe your symptoms in greater detail.
At the appointment, the otolaryngologist will look at your throat for signs of narrowing and may perform tests to confirm a sleep apnoea diagnosis. These tests may require an overnight stay where you are monitored while you sleep. This will determine whether you have sleep apnoea and how severe the condition is.
If you want to learn how your nose and sinuses is affecting you and what treatments can help, take our sleep test.