Insomnia

About Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can affect both men and women. Insomnia is related with difficulty:

  • Falling sleep (Initiating sleep takes more than 30 minutes)
  • Maintaining good sleep (being awake for more than 30-45 minutes during the night)
  • Early waking and lack of refreshment from sleep

Insomnia can cause day time tiredness, fatigue, poor concentration and irritability.
Every individual need sleep in every 24 hours. The amount of sleep that adult needs is about 7-8 hours in 24 hours however, this may vary person to person.

FIND OUT WHY YOU HAVE INSOMNIA

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Difficulty falling sleep
Waking up during the night
Waking up too early in the morning
Poor decision making
Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
Feeling irritable, anxious or depressed
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty remembering things

WANT HELP WITH RELIEF FROM INSOMNIA?
CONTACT US NOW 1300 790 139 | EMAIL

FIND OUT WHY YOU HAVE DRY MOUTH HERE

Cause

Common causes of dry mouth include drug therapy, systemic disease, and radiation therapy.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Poor sleep habits
Medical disorders (e.g. chronic pain, obstructive sleep apnoea, Restless legs syndrome, reflux)
Psychiatric disorders (g., depression, anxiety)
Problem drug use (e.g alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, illicit drugs)
Certain Medications (e.g. antidepressants, antiepileptic and steroid medication)

RISK OF INSOMNIA

Long term poor sleep quality can increase an individual’s risks of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SLEEP BETTER?

Getting an appropriate amount of good sleep is important for mental and physical health. Practicing good sleep habits can help in achieving good sleep.

GOOD SLEEP HABITS

Go to bed at the same time each day
Wake up at a regular time
Avoid oversleeping
Avoid napping in the evening
Keep your bedroom for sleep and intimacy
Avoid caffeine after midday
Limit alcohol consumption
Avoid drinking a lot of fluid close to bed
Avoid heavy meals within 3 hours of bedtime
Stop smoking
Exercise daily but avoid exercise close to bedtime

TREATMENTS

Treatment of insomnia involves Relaxation therapies, Cognitive therapy, Stimulus control, Sleep restriction, identifying and treating underlying causes. In some cases, short term prescription sleeping pills may also considered.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE INSOMNIA CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR, DENTIST OR PHARMACIST.

If commercial products or current medications are not effectively treating or managing your symptoms, we can work with your GP to tailor the therapy to your needs.

INSOMNIA SYMPTOM SCORE

INSOMNIA SYMPTOM SCORE

    Click to take questionnaire [group group-quiz1]

    Please rate the following questions from Never to Always

    Over the past month:

    1. Do you have trouble falling asleep?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    2. Do you wake up un-refreshed?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    3. Do you take anything to help you sleep?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    4. Do you have any medical condition that disrupts your sleep?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    5. Have you lost interest in hobbies or activities?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    6. Do you feel sad, irritable, or hopeless?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    7. Do you feel nervous or worried?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    8. Do you think something is wrong with your body?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    9. Are you a shift worker or is your sleep schedule irregular?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    10. Are your legs restless and/or uncomfortable before bed?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    11. Have you been told that you are restless or that you kick your legs in your sleep?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    12. Do you have any unusual behaviours or movements during sleep?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    13. Do you snore?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    14. Has anyone said that you stop breathing, gasp, snort, or choke in your sleep?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways

    15. Do you have difficulty staying awake during the day?

    NeverRarelyOccasionallyMost nights/daysAlways [/group]
    References

    Australian sleep association 2018, Insomnia, Australian sleep association, viewed 03/07/2018, https://www.sleep.org.au/.

    Carroll, S 2015, ‘Healthy sleep’, PSA, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 1-16.

    Therapeutic Guidelines 2018, Insomnia, Therapeutic Guidelines, viewed 03/07/2018, https://tgldcdp-tg-org-au.access.library.unisa.edu.au/viewTopic?topicfile=insomnia-parasomnias-jet-//lag&guidelineName=Psychotropic#toc_d1e47.

    Our Newsletters