How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?

About 12% of Americans have chronic insomnia, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Millions of people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep most nights for three or more months. 

Do you have a hard time falling asleep? Are you waking up too early and can’t get back to sleep? These are classic symptoms of insomnia and some of the things Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Preshant Patel at Respacare in Bridgewater,  New Jersey, look for when diagnosing the sleep disorder. 

Learn more about how we diagnose and treat insomnia and when to seek our professional help.

About insomnia

Insomnia affects the quality and duration of your sleep, making it hard to function when awake. It’s a common sleep disorder often brought on by stress or a change in routine or environment. Lack of sleep causes daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating. For many people, sleep returns to normal within a few days or weeks. 

However, some folks continue to struggle with sleep for weeks or months, leading to what we call chronic insomnia. The exact cause of the long-term sleep problem isn’t always clear but may occur from an underlying health condition such as depression, anxiety, or a sleep disorder that affects the body’s sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). 

Over time, poor sleep can affect your physical and emotional well-being. If it’s been months since you’ve had a good night’s rest, you should schedule an appointment with our team. Finding the cause of your insomnia and developing a plan may help you finally get the rest you need. 

Diagnosing insomnia

Our team performs a comprehensive history and physical to diagnose insomnia. We ask about your sleep habits, daily routine, and symptoms. We review your medical and family history and perform a physical exam. 

We also ask about your eating and drinking habits, as well as the type of medications and supplements you take, looking for stimulants like caffeine.

Based on our initial findings, we may request bloodwork to confirm or rule out health conditions that may explain your sleeplessness, such as hyperthyroidism (producing too many thyroid hormones). We may also do a sleep study to see if you have a sleep disorder. 

We offer at-home sleep disorder tests so you don’t have to go to a sleep lab for testing. Finding the cause of your insomnia, along with other contributing factors, helps us create the most effective treatment plan.

Treating insomnia

Treatment for insomnia varies depending on the cause. However, we start with lifestyle changes, such as:

• Sticking to a set sleep schedule
• Avoiding stimulants too close to bed
• Creating a relaxing before bed routine
• Skipping daytime naps

We may refer you to a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy that helps reduce anxiety and improve relaxation so you sleep better. Medications are also sometimes prescribed to help with insomnia. 

Your plan may also include treatment for an underlying medical condition, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea or antidepressants for depression.

If you’re struggling with sleep or never feel rested when you wake up in the morning, it’s time to reach out for help. Our sleep medicine experts can find the cause of your sleep problem and create a plan for better rest.

Call us today at 732-356-9950 or request an appointment online.