Are you having sleepless nights?

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This blog is dedicated to those of you who experience sleepless nights on a regular basis. We call this insomnia and many of us experience this. Those of you that experience this frequently can find it to be debilitating. 
 
If you suffer from insomnia there is help. 

 
The best outcomes will come from a Provider that is Board Certified in Sleep Medicine and works with an Accredited Sleep Center. See the Bellin Sleep Center at this link: http://tinyurl.com/yfkshxq  
 
Take a look at the following insomnia statistics:

• People today are sleeping on average 20% less than they did 100 years ago.
• Over 70 million Americans suffer from disorders of sleep and wakefulness
• 40% - 60% of that 70 million suffer from chronic insomnia
• 1 in 3 people suffer from some form of insomnia during their lifetime
• 20-40% of adults in the US experience insomnia in any given year
• 51% of Americans are losing sleep due to stress and/or anxiety
• Women are between 1.5 and 2 times more likely to suffer from insomnia than men
• 2 Million American children experience sleep disorders, including insomnia
• Approximately 35% of insomniacs have a family history of insomnia
• 90% of people suffering from depression experience insomnia
• Approximately 10 Million people in the US use prescription sleep aids to deal with insomnia
• People who suffer from sleep deprivation are 27% more likely to become overweight or obese
• A National Sleep Foundation Poll shows that 60% of Americans have driven while feeling sleepy (and 37% admit to actually having fallen asleep at the wheel) in the past year.

 
 
 
Some concepts to consider for treatment of insomnia:
 

• Seek help from a Sleep Board Certified Provider. Sleep education and professional sleep providers really do help.
• Relaxation techniques are very popular and can help if you believe in the programs and work to make them successful.
• Human beings are environmental influenced and we can train ourselves to sleep. 
• With your provider, evaluate the medications and supplements you take. Many pain killers will lead to poor sleep quality.  Some medications, drugs and alcohol will lead to decreased time asleep.
• If you suffer with feelings of anxiety or depression, please talk with a professional Psychologist or counselor.

 
 
Tips for stimulus control:
 

• Restrict stimulants and practice good sleep habits
• Remove stimuli from your bedroom:
•             TV
•             Book Reading
•             Animals
•             Radios
•             Other items that preoccupy your mind 
• Train yourself to use your bedroom for sleeping.  If you find yourself not asleep, get up and go to a quiet room and relax.
• Remember that seeking help in these relaxation methods will mean a lot to your success. 
• Plan for the future so your treatment plan helps you stop any relapses of Chronic Insomnia.

 
 
  
Know that we all experience some insomnia, you are not alone in feelings of anxiety.
 
 
We know that by improving your sleep we can improve your mental and physical health.  By sleeping well you also reduce your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease.
 
 
Respectfully,
Pete Weber, BA, RRT, RPSGT
Team leader – Sleep and Pulmonary Services
Bellin Memorial Hospital – Bellin Sleep Center
 
 
References:
Insomnia. Retrieved March 17, 2010, from http://www.sleepmed.md
   
General Insomnia Statistics. Retrieved March 17, 2010, from http://www.better-sleep-better-life.com/insomnia-statistics.html
 
Kryger, Roth, Dement, et al. Behavior Therapy for Insonmia. 3th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine; 647-655.
 

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