Restorative Sleep with Natural Treatments for Insomnia

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a very common sleep disturbance that involves difficulty falling or staying asleep. Many people with insomnia experience morning fatigue that can continue throughout the day, especially when it has been a longer-term problem. Short bouts of insomnia can be normal during stressful times, and can often be accompanied by an overactive, racing mind.

Causes, Signs & Symptoms

Insomnia can be caused by many different factors, and is often a combination of the following:

  • High stress
  • Irregular sleep schedule (due to travel and work)
  • Electronic device use before bed
  • Eating habits and schedule
  • Caffeine and alcohol use
  • Medications (allergy and cold, blood pressure, antidepressants)
  • Chronic pain
  • Mental health concerns
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How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is typically based on current symptoms, and it's important to discuss treatments that you have tried in the past with your doctor. Functional lab testing is essential to uncover any imbalances in thyroid, hormones and neurotransmitters that can contribute to insomnia. Sleep apnea is often undiagnosed in cases of insomnia, and a thorough workout will include testing for this condition.
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How is Insomnia Treated?

Correcting any thyroid, hormone or neurotransmitter imbalance is the first step in relief from poor sleep and insomnia. If sleep apnea is an issue, your doctor will discuss treatment options, such as a specialized mouthpiece or CPAP machine. There are also many natural supplements that support restful sleep, which is used with lifestyle modifications and sleep hygiene.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an extremely useful tool for patients with insomnia, and lifestyle modifications are also used to remove any obstacles to deep, restful sleep.

Why Choose Spark Health?

Your providers at Spark Health know how challenging sleep issues can be, and we understand how insomnia impacts your quality of life. We work as a team to understand your unique health goals and challenges, and we offer individualized treatment plans including naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, emotional wellness, and referrals to specialists. Spark Health was founded in 2013 in Solana Beach, California, to provide patients in San Diego and Southern California with personalized natural medicine and wellness options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Insomnia is classified by duration of symptoms:

  • Transient insomnia lasts less than one month
  • Short-term insomnia lasts between one and six months
  • Chronic insomnia lasts more than six months

Testing for underlying issues and identifying contributing factors allows your doctor to develop a treatment plan that addressed your individual needs.

Chronic insomnia can be managed and reversed with a combination of supplements, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle modifications, and treatment for underlying medical conditions.

Chronic insomnia is defined as sleep disturbances lasting more than 6 months.

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