Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects up to 10% of American adults. At NY Metro Sleep in the Bronx, New York, double-board-certified sleep medicine specialist Rajendra M. Rampersaud, MD, and his team have years of experience diagnosing and treating insomnia. Dr. Rampersaud can identify the source of your symptoms and make recommendations to help you get better sleep. Call the New York City-based office to request an insomnia consultation, or book online today.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is the inability to fall or stay asleep. Without diagnosis and treatment, the disorder worsens. You may wake up tired or listless and find that your lack of sleep negatively affects your mood, home life, and workday.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Symptoms of insomnia include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up early
• Not feeling well-rested
• Daytime fatigue

As insomnia worsens, you might make more errors or have accidents.

Are there different types of insomnia?

At NY Metro Sleep, the team diagnoses and treats several types of insomnia, including:

Primary Insomnia

Primary insomnia can be acute or chronic. Though it may affect your quality of life, it doesn’t indicate an underlying health problem. Typically, primary insomnia occurs during high-stress times or as a result of travel or traumatic events.  

Secondary Insomnia (Comorbid)

Secondary insomnia occurs because of an underlying medical or psychological condition. For example, certain prescription medicines can make it difficult to sleep, including asthma medications and beta blockers used for heart conditions.

Chronic Insomnia

Chronic insomnia refers to difficulty sleeping at least three nights a week for more than three months. If you regularly struggle to get restful sleep, it’s crucial to seek treatment. Poor sleep increases your risk of more serious health problems, like heart disease.

After a physical exam and a professional sleep study, the team at NY Metro Sleep can determine the best course of treatment.

How is insomnia diagnosed?

At NY Metro Sleep, the team diagnoses insomnia using a combination of patient questionnaires, sleep diaries, and detailed patient interviews. Your provider also completes a physical exam and orders lab tests, such as bloodwork and urinalysis. They also schedule a sleep study.

A sleep study occurs at a hospital or sleep clinic. A team of doctors monitors your brain waves, the oxygen levels in your blood, your heart rate and breathing, and your arm and leg movements while you sleep.

How is insomnia treated?

Treatment of insomnia depends on the severity of your symptoms and your type of insomnia. Often, healthy lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and establishing a bedtime routine can make a significant difference.

If your symptoms continue or worsen, the team might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications to help you sleep.

Call NY Metro Sleep to learn more about the treatment options for insomnia or book online today.