Best Doctors For Insomnia Treatment In Chennai

Insomnia is a sleep disorder marked by difficulties in falling or staying asleep, which leads to disturbances in daytime functioning. It is a prevalent issue, affecting up to two-thirds of adults occasionally, with about 10% to 15% experiencing chronic insomnia. The causes are diverse, including stress, health conditions like diabetes, sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea, mental health issues, and lifestyle factors.

Apollo Hospitals in Chennai has some of the best doctors for insomnia treatment who provide an extensive range of services for diagnosis and treatment.

Types/Stages of Insomnia

Insomnia manifests in different ways, and it's thus classified into various types:

• Acute Insomnia: This is short-term trouble with sleep lasting a few days to weeks. It is often triggered by stress, a traumatic event, or significant life changes.

• Chronic Insomnia: This is a long-term issue where poor sleep persists for three or more nights each week for over three months.

• Onset Insomnia: This is characterised by difficulty initiating sleep. It can be caused by anxiety, stress, or an irregular sleep schedule.

• Maintenance Insomnia: Individuals with this type have trouble remaining asleep or consistently wake up too early.

• Behavioural Insomnia of Childhood: This occurs in children who consistently have issues falling asleep or refuse to go to bed.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Insomnia presents with various symptoms that include:

• Trouble falling asleep

• Difficulty staying asleep

• Unwanted early morning wakefulness

• Daytime fatigue

• Impaired memory and concentration

• Mood changes and irritability

• Difficulty functioning during the day

• Restlessness during sleep

• Waking up frequently during the night

Tests to Diagnose Insomnia

At Apollo Hospitals, experienced doctors for insomnia treatment use several methods to diagnose the condition:

• Sleep Diary: Patients track their sleep patterns, including bedtimes, wake-up times, and sleep quality.

• Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination is conducted to rule out any physical conditions that may affect sleep, such as chronic pain or respiratory issues.

• Blood Tests: These tests can identify any underlying conditions, such as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances, that might interfere with sleep.

• Sleep Study: A comprehensive examination which monitors brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, and body movements during sleep.

• Psychiatric Evaluation: This evaluation is used to identify mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that might be causing insomnia.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Insomnia at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai

Apollo Hospitals offer a variety of treatment options for insomnia, guided by doctors for restlessness treatment:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This helps patients manage stress and change detrimental sleep habits. CBT includes techniques such as stimulus control, sleep restriction, and cognitive restructuring.

• Medications: Prescription sleep aids, including benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine sleep medications, and melatonin receptor agonists can help patients fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Lifestyle Changes: Consultants guide on improving sleep hygiene like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, minimising exposure to screens before bed, and optimising the sleep environment (e.g., reducing noise and light).

• Relaxation Techniques: Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing techniques, guided imagery and biofeedback are taught to reduce anxiety and promote good sleep.