Insomnia Diagnosed and Treated by Respected Baltimore Sleep Doctors
A team of experienced physicians and sleep medicine professionals at The Lung Center at Mercy in Baltimore, Maryland diagnose and treat patients suffering from insomnia.
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in which a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Because of the lack of sleep, patients often do not feel rested throughout the day, which may affect energy levels and mood swings. While sleep time varies for each individual, the average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep per day.
Insomnia may impact people differently. Some patients are able to sleep a few hours at a time while others are not able to get any restful sleep. Symptoms of insomnia may include:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up during the night
- Waking up too early
- Not feeling rested after a full night's sleep
- Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
- Irritability, depression or anxiety
- Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks
- Increased errors or accidents
Insomnia is not a disease or ailment, so there are no specific tests to diagnose it. Depending upon the situation and severity, the search for its cause may include the following:
- Physical examination to check for underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure or thyroid issues
- Sleep habits review with a sleep medicine specialist
- Sleep study to determine if there is another sleep disorder such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea
Treatment for insomnia may vary depending on the severity of the condition. Options may include:
- Adjusting sleep times
- Changing room temperature (setting thermostat to cooler temperature)
- Managing stress levels
- Over-the-counter sleep aids
- Prescription medications