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| It's three o'clock in the morning, and you can't sleep. You stare at the clock, aware that the alarm will go off in a few hours, but you can't sleep. You know you have a busy day ahead and need to be rested, but you can't sleep. No matter how hard you try, you can't sleep. You have insomnia. | |
| Can't Sleep? Learn about Insomnia and Air Bed Mattresses | |
 For a long time, doctors were taught, "insomnia is a symptom, not a disease (or disorder)." However, new evidence is beginning to suggest insomnia may not simply be a symptom of other conditions, but rather, may be a disorder in its own right. Regardless of whether it occurs with other medical conditions or by itself, insomnia tends to have a consistent set of nighttime and daytime symptoms. Moreover, treatment of associated conditions without specific attention to sleep does not consistently improve insomnia. Some patients simply need an adjustable airbed mattress to alleviate their insomnia symptoms because they don't realize their old mattress is causing "body pressure points" that prevent deep sleep cycles. Insomnia and other conditions may follow different time courses, and in many cases, insomnia is associated with worse outcomes of other conditions. |
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| What Is Insomnia? | |
 According to the National
Institutes of Health, insomnia affects more than 70 million
Americans. Direct costs of insomnia, which include dollars
spent on insomnia treatment, healthcare services, hospital
and nursing home care, are estimated at nearly $14 billion
annually. Indirect costs such as work loss, property damage
from accidents and transportation to and from healthcare
providers, are estimated to be $28 billion.
What is this condition that affects so many of us and costs so much? The word "insomnia" comes from the Latin in ("no") and somnus ("sleep"), so it literally means "no sleep" or the inability to sleep. Insomnia is an experience of inadequate or poor quality sleep as characterized by one or more of the following sleep complaints:
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| Who Has Insomnia? | |
| NSF's 2002 Sleep in America poll shows that 58% of adults in the U.S. experience symptoms of insomnia a few nights a week or more. Although insomnia is the most common sleep problem among about one half of older adults (48%), they are less likely to experience frequent symptoms of insomnia than their younger counterparts (45% vs. 62%), and their symptoms are more likely to be associated with medical conditions, according to the 2003 poll of adults between the ages of 55 and 84. Perhaps that's the reason the new airbed mattresses have become so popular over the past 10 years. | |
| Types of Insomnia | |
 Sleep specialists classify insomnia
in two primary categories: acute and chronic. Short term or
acute insomnia, which is often due to a temporary situation
such as stress, jet lag, change or loss in a job or
relationship, can last up to one month and is treatable. It
is important to address the underlying cause. Effective and
safe prescription medications can help.
Long-term, or chronic, insomnia, which is experienced for a month or longer, can be secondary to causes such as medical, physical or psychological conditions, another sleep disorder, or medications and substances. It is essential to get a medical diagnosis. In addition to appropriate use of medications, education on behavioral and other techniques are well as good sleep practices - such as switching to an adjustable memory foam topped air bed mattress - can improve sleep quality. In addition, chronic insomnia may be "primary," which means that it is not caused by other medical, psychiatric, sleep, or medication factors. Primary insomnia may be caused by factors such as increased body temperature, metabolic rate, or brain metabolism . Poor sleep habits may also contribute to primary and other forms of insomnia. Insomnia is a risk factor for the onset of depression and can significantly affect your quality of life. Consequences of not getting enough good sleep can include daytime fatigue, impaired mood, depression and psychological distress, and decreased ability to concentrate, problem-solve and make decisions, as well as being at risk for injury, driving drowsy, and illness. Why pay RETAIL PRICES for your airbed mattress with visco memory foam when our MagiCloud adjustable firmness version saves you so much - PLUS comes with a stretch knit waterproof fabric cover - instead of plain cotton terrycloth. |
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| Available Treatments for Insomnia | |
 Fortunately, there are treatment
options available, ranging from behavioral therapy to the
use of prescription medicines, or a combination of the two.
Behavioral therapy is offered typically by a psychologist, psychiatrist or other health practitioner or counselor with specialized training. Several visits to the therapist are usually required to learn and implement the techniques of specific behavioral therapies. Some of the more common behavioral approaches include: Stimulus control, which trains people to use their air bed and bedroom for sleep and sex only. Persons with insomnia are encouraged to go another room and engage in a relaxing activity until they are sleepy and ready to return to bed. Cognitive therapy, which is conducted with a therapist who helps the patient with attitudes and beliefs that may contribute to poor sleep. Relaxation training, which often involves reducing tension and muscular relaxation techniques. Prescription medications that promote sleep are called hypnotics. Medications differ by dose and duration of action. Most individuals take hypnotics a few nights or a few weeks at a time. Some may benefit from long-term use. Research indicates that when used nightly, hypnotics remain effective for at least several weeks and probably longer, and a recent study found that long-term use of a hypnotic medication was both safe and efficacious. The most common side effects include morning sedation, memory problems, headaches and a night or two of poor sleep after stopping the medication. Some hypnotic side effects can be minimized by using short-acting drugs. |
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| Good Sleep Practices You Can Use in Managing Your Insomnia | |
 Although the specific causes of
insomnia differ from one person to the next, there are some
general habits you can adopt that may help you sleep better.
Not each of these practices may apply to everyone with
insomnia, so you may want to focus on one or two that seem
particularly relevant to your situation. Sleep experts
recommend the following tips for good sleep: |
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At night:
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During the day: |
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Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Medications: Non-prescription, over-the-counter sleep aids are often antihistamines prescribed for allergies. They are readily available and may be useful for some individuals in some situations, but you should be aware of side effects such as prolonged sleepiness or the possibility of interactions with other medications. It is best to consult a physician for advice on treating your sleep problem. Thanks to: Daniel J. Buysse, MD, Sleep Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA |
