Treatment Options

When to seek help for Insomnia?

Seek help if your sleep has been disturbed for more than a month, or if it interferes with the way you feel or function during the day. Sometimes insomnia can be helped through education alone, particularly in patients whose insomnia stems from poor sleep habits. In other cases, medication or evaluation and treatment by a psychiatrist or psychologist may be prescribed.

Maintaining good sleep habits can help with many disorders, not just Insomnia.

Wake up about the same time every day.

Keep a regular schedule. Regular times for meals and medications can help the internal body clock run smoothly.

Exercise regularly.

Avoid napping. If needed, try to nap at the same time every day.

Avoid ingestion of caffeine or alcohol within six hours of bedtime.

Avoid smoking close to bedtime. Ideally, stop smoking altogether.

Establish relaxing pre-sleep rituals, such as a warm bath, light bedtime snack, or 10 minutes of reading, meditation or prayer.

Go to bed only when sleepy.

Avoid sleeping pills.

These guidelines can improve many types of sleep disorders and help most people sleep well. If these suggestions do not improve your condition, please see your healthcare provider or contact Hoag Sleep Disorders Center for an evaluation at 949/764-8070. You can also send us an e-mail.

To receive a copy of a free educational brochure on this particular sleep disorder, please contact Hoag Sleep disorders Center at 949/764-8070 or via e-mail at sleepcenter@hoaghospital.org.

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