How Do You Fix Primary Insomnia?
Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder, among other sleep disorders which primarily affects adults and is more common in women than men. The condition is prevalent, and some would even say that it has become an epidemic these days.
What is Primary Insomnia?
Primary insomnia isn’t a disease or illness but one of the most prevalent conditions among other sleep disorders. According to studies, its cause is not known for sure, but genetics may play a part in it.
The disorder consists of difficulty falling asleep at night and maintaining sleep throughout the night without waking up too often or waking up too early in the morning.
The condition usually results in extreme fatigue that adversely affects a person’s daily life and activities, his work or school performance, his mood, and relationships with loved ones. Quality of sleep is also involved as a person with this disorder may not have a restful slumber. You need to consult a doctor or seek medications such as Circadin Australia as soon as possible when experiencing primary insomnia.
Primary insomnia may result in a lack of concentration during the day, irritability, and moodiness. A depressed person may already have chronic depression or bipolar disorder, but primary insomnia can also worsen these conditions.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms associated with this condition include:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up too early in the morning
- Restless sleep (waking up several times during the night, feeling like you haven’t rested enough.
How can the condition be diagnosed?
Diagnosis is done by a medical professional and may involve:
- A physical and psychological exam to identify any health conditions that could be causing or aggravating the disorder.
- Seeking answers about your sleeping habits and lifestyle from you, such as if stress at work or school is affecting your sleep.
- The doctor might ask questions about how you deal with stress, anxiety, or depression.
- A mental health evaluation to determine if you may be suffering from another sleep disorder like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome (RLS).
Treatment And Management
The good news is that this condition can be treated with medications or therapies. If the insomnia is short-term, you can expect to get help for this condition in weeks. But if the cause of your sleep disorder has not been identified yet or if it’s related to another health issue, you may be asked to undergo further tests.
If there are no other health issues involved, you need to adhere strictly to a course of treatment. You need to follow the treatment plan that your doctor has prescribed for you without skipping doses or stopping medications even when you feel better. It is essential because primary insomnia can recur, and in some cases, it has become chronic.
Smoking and alcohol consumption should also be reduced or eliminated when a person is diagnosed with this condition. Nicotine has stimulating properties that can interfere with sleep, while alcohol is a depressant. These drugs are mind-altering substances that disturb the quality of rest you get at night, causing insomnia to return.
Sleeping pills are usually prescribed for primary insomnia, but they should be used sparingly and under strict supervision by your doctor only. Sleeping pills can be habit-forming, so you must be very careful with their use.
The Treatment Plan
It includes:
1. Curbing nicotine and alcohol consumption
2. Getting plenty of exercise every day but not late in the evening as it can interfere with your sleep. Exercise promotes restful sleep, and the time you do, it should be at least four to six hours before bedtime.
3. Maintaining a proper sleeping environment for night-time slumber, meaning you should have a comfortable bed, an extraordinary temperature inside the bedroom, enough lighting but no distractions or interruptions.
4. The room should be well-ventilated and noise-free.
5. Taking prescribed medications as advised by your doctor must be followed closely for you to treat primary insomnia successfully. You may also need to take sleep aids until your treatment is completed. Once your doctor says it’s okay, slowly reduce the dosage until you stop entirely.
6. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be prescribed by your doctor to help you get over primary insomnia and other similar conditions that affect your ability to sleep well at night.
What are the 3 Types of Insomnia?
Primary insomnia
Is the most common form of this condition. It’s caused by other health conditions, smoking, alcohol ingestion, depression, or stress.
Secondary insomnia
It is a result of another health issue; it can develop after an accident or any physical injury resulting in chronic pain and disturbed sleep at night. This type of insomnia has no specific treatment, and it may take a long time before you can sleep usually.
Heterogeneous insomnia
It happens when the cause of this condition cannot be identified even after extensive evaluation by your doctor. This type of insomnia is most likely to stay with you for life because any medical condition does not cause it.
Final Thoughts
If you have been diagnosed with primary insomnia, it won’t be easy to treat at first. But you don’t have to live a life without sleep because you can recover from insomnia if you follow your treatment plan closely and do not give up.