Insomnia Evaluation and Treatment
We offer cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and a comprehensive sleep evaluation program. Our program is based on methods endorsed by the American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and is custom tailored to your unique medical and behavioral needs. We provide education and “sleep coaching” on techniques to improve your sleep now and maintain good sleep for the rest of your life.
Insomnia sufferers may not be able to get to sleep or may wake up often during the night. Some wake up too early and can’t get back to sleep or simply don’t get the quality sleep they need. If you have chronic insomnia, you may have a sleep disorder and need to consult one of our sleep specialists.
Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia may have a number of causes including:
- Breathing Difficulties
- Pain
- Abnormal Leg or Body Movement
- Endocrine Problems
- Neurological Conditions
- Emotional Problems
- Depression
- Severe Stress
Certain medical conditions, medications, and substance abuse are other possible causes.
Sleep ProfilerTM
The Sleep Profiler™ is used to help sleep physicians identify and evaluate causes of insomnia in their patients. It provides them with an objective measurement of a patient’s sleep at home in their own bed, over a two-night period.
For patients who are experiencing difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, the Sleep Profiler™ assists in the diagnosis of a patient’s sleep architecture, continuity, and efficiency.
The Dangers of Sleeping Pill Use
The harmful side effects of some sleeping pills and sleep aids could be as bad for you as not getting good quality sleep. If you have chronic insomnia, it would be wise to consult a sleep physician for a proper diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. Each plan is based on your sleep patterns, your medical history, and test results.
Sleeping pills can interfere with normal breathing and are not safe to use if you have asthma, emphysema, or COPD. Some sleeping pills can cause parasomnias, allergic reactions, affect your ability to drive safely, and put you at risk for injury due to a fall.
Mixing alcohol with certain sleep medications can cause damage to the liver and other organs. It can also increase the chances of overdose. Due to the many possible side effects of sleep medications, it is always recommended to get help to learn the root cause of your insomnia first.