Insomnia can be a terrible medical condition to deal with. It can be difficult to function if you are not getting adequate deep sleep each night. You can suffer from additional medical conditions when you do not sleep well, including stress, depression, and even cardiac issues. When you talk to your doctor, they may have some suggestions about how to get better sleep.

Here are some things you should know about dealing with insomnia.

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a medical condition in which you either cannot sleep each night or you have problems falling asleep. You may wake up multiple times each night and have trouble going back to sleep. This can cause you several issues, including feeling fatigued during the day, the inability to function like you normally would, forgetting important tasks or events, and so on.

A few instances of not sleeping well may not mean you have insomnia. However, a pattern of not sleeping well over a long period of time may warrant a discussion with your doctor about an insomnia diagnosis.

What Can You Do to Treat Insomnia?

There are several treatment options you and your doctor should discuss. One option is sleep medication. Sleep medication can be prescribed by your doctor to help you get into a deep sleep each night. Your need for sleep medication may vary. Some people may only need the medication temporarily to get back into a healthy sleep rhythm. Others may need to take the medication over a long period of time.

If you find that you are unable to sleep well without the medication, however, it may also be time to look into your lifestyle. Your lifestyle may be a major factor in your inability to sleep, and some simple changes may help you get past insomnia.

For example, look at where you are sleeping. Make sure it is a comforting and soothing environment. If there is light coming in through the windows, add some blackout shades to help keep the room dark. If the room is stuffy, consider getting a fan for both better airflow as well as some white noise. Rooms that have a lot of ambient light from screens may also keep you from sleeping well. Turn off all the screens in your room to help you relax and get better sleep.

You may also want to examine your diet. Drinking a lot of caffeine throughout the day, for instance, can sabotage your ability to sleep. Drinking alcohol regularly can also prevent proper sleep.

In addition, try to go to bed at the same time each day. Consider adding some meditation or relaxation exercises into your evening routine. If your insomnia is really bad, you may want to see a therapist or mental health professional to determine if you have a cognitive reason for not sleeping well.

Reach out to a sleep medicine provider like Elkview General Hospital for more information.