Insomnia treatment online

Diagnosing and Treating Insomnia Online

Insomnia is when one has difficulty falling or staying asleep, no matter what the circumstance. So, what causes insomnia? There are many medical conditions that can affect one's sleeping habits and they can lead to insomnia. These include, but are not limited to:

• Nasal/sinus allergies
• Asthma
• Chronic pain
• Lower back pain
• Arthritis
• Gastrointestinal problems i.e. acid reflux

Some researchers believe insomnia is a problem when your brain is unable to stop being awake. There are many things that could lead to this problem in your sleeping cycle. An extremely important factor is "sleep hygiene," which can be affected if you have never had a regular sleep schedule or consistent bedtime routine. Sleep hygiene involves a variety of habits and practices that are necessary to have good sleep quality and full daytime alertness. Our brains have a sleep and wake cycle and these cycles rely on consistency, length and quality.

If you're lucky, you're one of the people that are naturally better sleepers for biological reasons. But even those that are genetically blessed can have issues sleeping. Our therapists and psychiatrists can help determine the severity of your insomnia and decide if treatment is needed, or if a referral to a specialist is required.

During a video consult on Amwell, your therapist and/or psychiatrist will ask you a series of targeted questions to better understand your insomnia. Your diagnosis will be based on duration, severity of symptoms and your medical history. Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will go over the risks and benefits of the various treatment plans.

Options for treatment of insomnia may include:

• Relaxation training or progressive muscle relaxation
• Stimulus control - by limiting the type of activities allowed in the bedroom to promote sleep
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Over-the-counter medication
• Alternative medicine.