A CAPSULAR MOMENT

INSOMNIA

By David Bodunde, Rph 

Insomnia is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or both and may be due to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. The symptoms include being unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, waking up very early or not feeling refreshed after sleeping. 

Insomnia can be transient with symptoms lasting less than one week or short term with symptoms lasting between one to three weeks .Insomnia symptoms that last longer than three weeks is classified as chronic insomnia.
Insomnia is no respecter of age as it affects all age groups, but the incidence increases with age. It affects more women than men and is more common in people in lower income groups.

CAUSES OF INSOMNIA

Causes of transient and short term insomnia include:

• Shift work
• Jet lag
•  Illness
• Drug or alcohol withdrawal

Causes of long term insomnia could be due to a medical or psychiatric condition and they include:

• Mania or Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Chronic pain
• Heart failure
• Nocturnal asthma
• Acid reflux disease
• Brain tumours, strokes, or
  trauma to the brain 

Other causes of insomnia include:

Medications

There are certain prescription drugs that can interfere with sleep and these include antidepressants, heart and blood pressure medications, allergy medications, stimulants and corticosteroids. There are also some eover-the –counter (OTC) medications like pain medication combos, decongestants and weight loss products that contain caffeine and other stimulants which can contribute  to insomnia.

Caffeine, Nicotine and alcohol

People love their java, but unfortunately, products like coffee, tea and cola are high in caffeine which is a stimulant. Drinking coffee in the late afternoon can prevent you from falling asleep at night. Another stimulant is nicotine which is present in tobacco products and can also cause insomnia. Alcohol, which some people use as a sedative, can help you fall asleep but it prevents you achieving good quality and restful sleep.

Poor sleep hygiene

Habits that help promote good sleep are called sleep hygiene and this includes stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment and an irregular sleep schedule. 

Treatment of Insomnia

The main focus of treatment for insomnia should be directed towards finding the cause and once a cause is identified, to manage and control the underlying problem. Treating the symptoms of insomnia without addressing the main cause may lead to failure of treatment.

Treatment of insomnia is done through medical and non-medical methods and studies have shown that combination of both methods results in high rate of success.

Non-medical treatment

Behavioural and education interventions include short-term cognitive therapy, relaxation therapy, and stimulus control therapy, light therapy, sleep restriction, and sleep hygiene education.

Stimulus econtrol procedures

(1)Establish a regular sleep schedule

(2) Go to bed only when sleepy  and avoid daytime naps 

(3) Try not to take your troubles to bed

(4)Sleep only as much as necessary to feel rested.

Sleep hygiene recommendations

(1) Exercise regularly, but avoid exercising close to your bedtime

(2) Discontinue or reduce the use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine

(3) Avoid drinking large quantities of liquids in the evening to prevent frequent trips to the bathroom at night

(4) Create a comfortable sleep environment by avoiding temperature
extremes, loud noises, and illuminated clocks in the bedroom.

OTC treatments

Antihistamines

Many sleep aids contain diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and doxylamine. Some patients prefer dimenhydrinate (gravel) as a sleeping aid. These eantihistamines may be mildly to moderately sedating and may be effective in the short term. Tolerance to the effects of antihistamines may occur after one to two weeks of regular use.

Herbal products

Like valerian, chamomile, Siberian ginseng, passion flower and st John’s wort are also available as sleep aids Melatonin Is effective in the short treatment of insomnia due to jet lag or shift work but not effective to treat other forms of insomnia. 

To speak with Pharmacist David Bodunde, Rph in person, visit him at the Manitouwadge Pharmacy in the Hallmark Square or call 826-3888 during regular business hours.

The opinions expressed on OntarioNewsNorth.com and by David Bodunde,Rph  are published for educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Please consult a local physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns.

Neither OntarioNewsNorth.com nor David Bodunde,Rph  endorse or recommend any commercial products, medical treatments, pharmaceuticals, brand names, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and education of the viewing public, and the mention of any of the above on OntarioNewsNorth.com does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by OntarioNewsNorth.com or David Bodunde, Rph. 

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