Ways to Cure Insomnia from your Doctor's Office
If you suffer from insomnia, you know how debilitating this condition can become. Long term sleep deprivation can lead to irritability during the day, an inability to concentrate and focus on tasks and an increased susceptibility to illness. If you have experienced insomnia over a period of weeks or even months, you may already be familiar with the recommendations and home remedies that are touted as ways to cure insomnia. Go to bed at the same time every night. Begin your nighttime routine with something relaxing, like a warm bath. Make sure that your room is comfortable for sleeping. Perhaps you have tried all of these methods, and many more, all to no avail. It may be time to see your doctor about additional ways to cure insomnia. But what can your doctor do?
Behavior Therapies
There are a number of ways to cure insomnia that your doctor may want you to try. One of the first methods that has been used effectively is a number of behavior therapies that will show you more effective ways to get asleep and stay asleep. While you may have tried a number of these steps already, keep in mind that your medical professional may have additional tricks up his sleeve that can help you with your insomnia issues. Listen to the options he lays out for you, and give them a try. You never know which behavior therapy might turn out to be an effective way to cure your insomnia.
Medications
Most doctors will not encourage patients suffering from insomnia to take over the counter sleep aids. These medicines are generally not terribly effective, and they can actually be harmful in terms of side effects and an addictive tendency. If your doctor determines that medication is a possible way to cure your insomnia, he will probably prescribe a sleep aid. These medications can be effective if your insomnia is caused by a stressful event that will eventually end, or to get you back on a regular nighttime routine quickly until your behavior therapies begin to take effect. Most of these medications can be addictive and are designed to be taken for a short period of time only.
Counseling
If your insomnia is caused by a particularly stressful event or time of life, your doctor may recommend counseling to help you work through your anxieties and discover a more relaxing, healthy lifestyle. For some, dealing with life's issues can be the most effective way to cure insomnia, although it may take some time to see results. In these situations, your doctor may prescribe a medication for use over the short term, until you begin to see an improvement as a result of the counseling sessions.
