Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by having difficulties falling and staying asleep, as well as waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep. People with the disorder feel tired and lack energy throughout the entire day which leads to bad mood and reduced functionality.

If you suspect you have insomnia, you should seek professional help to successfully manage it. Therefore, let’s now have a look at how insomnia is diagnosed and treated. Read on to find out more.

How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Once you consult a doctor, they will typically perform several tests in order to make a diagnosis, find the cause of the issue, and potentially treat it. Such tests include:

• Physical exam – Doctors look for signs of any medical problems linked to insomnia. They also ask about any current conditions you have and determine whether they might be the cause of your sleepless nights. In addition, you may have to do a blood test as well to check the function of the thyroid gland and search for other conditions related to poor sleep.
• Sleep habits review–Completing a detailed questionnaire about your sleep habits is another common thing when getting checked for insomnia. You will be asked about your sleep-wake patterns and the level of daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Plus, you may be asked to keep a sleep journal, a diary, for several weeks.
• Sleep study – If your doctor is unable to detect the exact cause of your insomnia, or if you show other signs of another sleep disorder like restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea, you may also have to do a sleep study. This exam requires you to spend a night at a sleep lab where specialists will record several bodily functions, including brain waves, breathing, heartbeat, and movement, while you are asleep.

How is Insomnia Treated?

First and foremost, the most important thing is addressing any current issues linked with insomnia and improving your sleep habits. If these don’t work, there are several treatment options your doctor may recommend, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)–Negative thoughts are usually one of the reasons why people aren’t able to sleep which is why CBT-I is recommended. This therapy teaches you to recognize and change the thoughts and beliefs affecting your sleep and helps you manage and navigate the worries that keep you awake at night. Some CBT-I strategies include stimulus control therapy, relaxation techniques, sleep restriction, remaining passively awake, and light therapy.
• Prescription medications – Doctors don’t usually recommend taking sleeping pills for more than a couple of weeks. Luckily, there are several prescription medications approved for long-term use such as Eszopiclone (Lunesta), Ramelteon (Rozerem), Zaleplon (Sonata), and Zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist). But, ensure you ask your doctor about their side effects as they can be habit-forming and increase daytime grogginess and the risk of falling.
• Lifestyle changes – A key element of treating insomnia is incorporating several healthy sleep habits. Thus, ensure you stick to a strict sleep schedule, practice regular physical activity, avoid or limit naps, avoid caffeine and alcohol intake in the evening, avoid heavy meals before bedtime, limit screen time before bed, and last but not least, make your bedroom sleep-friendly by keeping it dark and quiet, at a comfortable temperature.