Quality sleep is essential for your general wellness and productivity. It is a natural way in which the body rejuvenates itself, ready for the day ahead. Unfortunately, sleep disorders in San Diego, including insomnia and sleep apnea, can alter how you sleep. The result can be sleep deprivation, resulting in symptoms such as daytime drowsiness and falling asleep during inappropriate times such as when driving or in class when a lesson is ongoing. The good news is that specialists use different treatment approaches to help people with sleeping disorders. Examples include:
Treatment for sleep disorders
There is not a one-size-fits-all treatment approach when it comes to sleep disorders. You may try out different combinations of different treatments, including medicines and lifestyle modification, before finding out the one that best works for you.
Over-the-counter medication
These include antihistamines, which may make you drowsy and prompt sleep. While they can be helpful for patients with insomnia, doctors advise against using them frequently. Antihistamines are associated with side effects such as cognitive decline, grogginess, and confusion, and these symptoms may be worse in older people. For this reason, you need to consult with your doctor before taking any sleeping aids sold over-the-counter.
Prescription drugs
Sleeping pills can sometimes be used for patients with sleeping disorders such as insomnia which makes sleeping difficult. Since they are habit-forming, doctors advise against the long-term use of prescription sleeping pills. For this reason, you should consult with your doctor before taking any of this medication. Examples of the approved sleeping pills include:
- Ramelteon
- Zaleplon
- Eszopiclone
- Zolpidem
Reports from previous patients who have used sleeping pills include side effects such as dizziness during the day and an increased risk of falling.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Actions such as moving your legs and sometimes negative thoughts can prevent falling asleep. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps patients recognize, manage, and eliminate beliefs and practices that affect sleep. CBT is usually offered as the first line of treatment for patients with insomnia and works equally or more effectively than prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The different strategies specialists use in cognitive behavioral therapy include:
Sleep restriction
Sleep restriction limits the time you spend in bed and requires that you avoid sleeping during the day. You may only use your bed at night when you need to sleep or maybe for intimate relations. It would help if you avoided habits such as watching movies and eating in bed.
Relaxation techniques
They include breathing exercises and muscle relaxation, whose goal is to help you remain calm and reduce or eliminate anxiety during bedtime. Your specialist may ask you to take deep breaths and gently exhale repeatedly. Relaxation techniques can help relax your muscles, control your heart rate, mood, and help you fall asleep with ease.
Paradoxical intention
Instead of going to bed to sleep, you can try to stay awake to help reduce anxiety and the fear of being unable to fall asleep. Remaining passively awake can help you gain sleep because you are not battling any thoughts in your head.
If you have symptoms such as daytime drowsiness, book a session with your doctor at Mindset to diagnose a sleep disorder.
