Insomnia

Insomnia

Everyone has experienced a sleepless night at least once. However, when trouble sleeping becomes a regular problem, it is then known as insomnia. At Health Box Clinic in Glenview, IL, we see many patients struggling with insomnia, and we have a number of treatments on offer to relieve and prevent it. 

Insomnia Causes

Insomnia has a number of causes, some easier to treat than others. Simple causes include using stimulants such as coffee or electronic devices at night because they can impact sleep quality. Changes to your everyday life, especially if they involve staying awake at night or sleeping in the day, can dysregulate your natural sleep/wake cycle too. Stress is another cause, especially in acute insomnia, as cortisol (the primary stress hormone) lowers the sleep hormone melatonin. 

Medical issues that cause insomnia include: 

• Depression, anxiety, and mental health conditions that feature mania
• Chronic pain 
• Restless legs syndrome 
• Sleep apnea 
• Certain heart conditions 

Signs of Insomnia

Insomnia features trouble sleeping at night and negative impacts on quality of life, including: 

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Frequent waking up at night, which may involve difficulty falling back to sleep
• Feeling tired and unrefreshed on waking, regardless of how many hours you slept
• Poor cognition, including focus and decision-making 
• Low response to everyday, mild stimulants such as caffeine 

How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Insomnia itself is diagnosed with the clinical consultation. If you have trouble sleeping, we will ask questions such as the type of insomnia you experience (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or quality of rest) and how it affects you in everyday life. 

At Health Box Clinic, we use the Sensitiv Audit diagnostic tool by Sensitiv Imago. This uncovers the underlying causes of conditions and problems before they appear. Issues related to organ and tissue function, such as nutrient deficiencies or inflammation, can be readily seen. As these affect neurotransmitter and stress hormone production, identifying them is essential to successful treatment. 

Methods of Treatment for Insomnia 

The best insomnia treatment addresses the underlying causes. For example, if you are deficient in nutrients involved in the production of calming neurotransmitters, such as magnesium and certain B vitamins, nutritional counselling may benefit you. If stress is causing your insomnia, our stress management treatment using the 32 Bar method, Ondamed, and pulse electromagnetic therpy may help. As for the chronic pain which drives many insomnia cases, you could benefit from our Naprapathy treatments.

If you are struggling with insomnia, call Health Box Clinic today at 847-724-1777 or contact us here.