Most patients with insomnia have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects the brain making patients stay awake all night. Some patients report overwhelming thoughts that prevent them from falling asleep. Patients can experience chronic or acute symptoms. Available treatments at Sonoran Sleep Center depend on the severity of symptoms which is why their team of experts customizes treatment plans to satisfy patients’ needs.
What are the main types of insomnia?
There are various types of insomnia presenting varying symptoms to patients. Working with a sleep specialist who appreciates the different types of insomnia and develops appropriate approaches that can address specific concerns and restore quality sleep for improved well-being is critical. The following are the two main types of insomnia:
- Primary insomnia: Patients with primary insomnia do not have any underlying health concerns that may be associated with their difficulty falling and staying asleep.
- Secondary insomnia is difficulty falling asleep due to an underlying health condition. Some of the most widespread health concerns associated with insomnia include arthritis, cancer, heartburn, and depression.
Are there other types of insomnia?
Primary and secondary insomnia is the main categories classifying patients with insomnia. Clinicians must group patients into a specific category to guide them into appropriate treatment plans that target their concerns to improve the quality of their sleep. Other types of insomnia help clinicians understand specific symptoms that patients are facing and thus enable them to make informed clinical decisions. Patients may present with the following:
- Sleep onset insomnia: The main difficulty patients with this type of insomnia face is difficulty falling asleep.
- Sleep maintenance insomnia: This type of insomnia makes it challenging for patients to stay asleep.
- Mixed insomnia: Mixed insomnia involves challenges in falling and staying asleep.
- Paradoxical insomnia: Although patients with this type of insomnia have plenty of sleep, they may not feel that they did when they wake up in the morning.
What causes insomnia?
The different types of insomnia develop due to varying underlying causes. Primary insomnia develops when patients are around triggers like noise and extreme temperatures. Stress due to work issues or losing a loved one is also possible. Genetic predispositions to insomnia can also make patients susceptible to the condition.
Secondary insomnia develops as symptoms of an underlying condition. Clinicians usually perform a comprehensive physical and mental examination to recognize signs of health concerns and thus develop appropriate treatment and management plans that address these issues.
How do clinicians treat insomnia?
Insomnia treatment depends on various factors, including the severity of patients’ concerns and preferences. Your doctor should customize treatment based on your data and develop an appropriate treatment that suits you.
Some treatments for acute insomnia include conservative approaches that target lifestyle changes to promote better sleep patterns. Clinicians recommend sleeping pills to patients with trouble falling and staying asleep to improve their concerns.
Insomnia can affect your sleep and reduce your productivity the next day. Contact Sonoran Sleep Center to talk to your doctor about any sleep concerns you are experiencing and begin treatment to restore quality sleep.
