5/7/2021 Know the difference: Is it insomnia or just a few nights of bad sleep?

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Know the difference: Is it insomnia or just a few

nights of bad sleep?
Published Jan. 4, 2018

Tags: Sleep Health (/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles?articles=sleep health)

Don’t sleep on these insomnia symptoms

If you’re having a night when you’re nervous, angry, upset or stressed, sleep may
not come easily. You may notice that you lie awake in bed for a while or wake up
periodically throughout the night.

A lack of sleep has significant effects on your daily life, too. It can make you more
irritable, less coordinated and more anxious. Plus, it can put you at a greater risk for
accidents and injuries.

“If you notice that you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t write it off,” said Michael C.
Marino, D.O., medical director of Geisinger Sleep Labs. “Sleep deprivation can
cause a sleep debt that only gets worse with each passing day. This can increase
your risk for heart disease and diabetes, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you
have consistent sleep problems.”

Is it insomnia?
Insomnia is the inability to fall and stay asleep, even when you should otherwise be
able to do so. It’s estimated that between 30 and 40 percent ofQuestions
Americansabout
sufferCovid-19
testing
from insomnia each year. Insomnia can either be chronic or acute, or scheduling
depending on itscare?
duration and frequency. It can cause fatigue, mood disturbances, low energy levels
and difficulty concentrating.

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5/7/2021 Know the difference: Is it insomnia or just a few nights of bad sleep?

“Acute insomnia tends to happen because of high stress levels in the body,” said Dr.
Marino. “Whether it’s a big test, a job interview or a breakup, acute insomnia can last
for a week or more. On the other hand, chronic insomnia is defined as three or more
nights of disrupted sleep a week over the course of three or more months. While
acute insomnia will often go away on its own, it can still have dangerous effects. If
you have chronic insomnia, there are steps you can take to try and lessen your
symptoms.”

Ways to get rid of insomnia

For most people, the best ways to beat insomnia are to decrease caffeine intake,
stop drinking alcohol, reduce stress levels, get new bedding and limit the use of
electronics before bed.

“A good routine to promote sleep is to get a shower before bed and then take 30
minutes to relax and read or do another non-strenuous and non-electronic activity,”
said Dr. Marino. “Make sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to
keep your circadian rhythm consistent. Allergy medications can help you fall asleep,
but shouldn’t rely on those.”

For people with chronic insomnia, if these strategies don’t work, talk to your doctor.
They can conduct a sleep study to measure how you’re sleeping and diagnose the
cause of your insomnia. They can also prescribe sleep aid medications to help you
get a good night’s rest.

In a sleep study, a doctor connects you to analytical equipment while you sleep. This
lets a team of specialized physicians analyze your sleep cycle for irregularities.
Typically, a sleep study clinic will allow you to schedule your sleep study during the
time when you’d normally sleep.

“The best way to uncover why you’re having difficulty falling or staying asleep is to
assess what’s happening during a sleep study and develop a treatment based on
what we find,” said Dr. Marino.

Dr. Michael Marino, DO (https://providers.geisinger.org/doctor/michael-

marino-do-201996), is a sleep medicine specialist in Bloomsburg. To schedule an
appointment, please call 800-275-6401.

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