Acute insomnia is the mild state of this sleeping disorder, differing from chronic insomnia in the length of the attacks, their cause and their intensity. Acute insomnia is rarely long lasting and occurs occasionally, mostly after an environmental change, death in the family, a change of position at work, sudden weather shifts and so on. Those temporarily changes are often accompanied by anxiety, panic attacks, and sleepless nights, but the symptoms usually disappear after a short while.
Chronic insomnia is usually caused by continuous ailments such as chronic back pains, arthritis, mental disorders and such, which prevents the mind and body to be in a sufficient relaxed state to sleep for a continuous time. Chronic insomnia can last days, months or even years of lack of proper sleep at night. This serious condition can cause in the sufferer many symptoms such as fatigue, anxiousness, panic attacks and is often followed by violent reactions. If you or someone you know is suffering from those symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as promptly as possible to diagnose the problem and minimize the suffering and damages as much as possible.
Treatment for chronic insomnia will be according to the underlying ailment causing the syndrome. If it is possible to cure it or to repress the illness by medications, the doctor will prescribe the right medicine for a certain time of treatment with the dosage for you, along with specific directions on how to carry out the treatment. Some ailments will not be completely repressed by medications only, and there will be need for mental health treatment as well. To understand the specific needs for your condition, you will go through a number of tests and a few specialists will ask you questions to diagnose your disorder to provide the right treatment but also for insurance purposes. After going through the counselor, you will meet the psychologist or psychiatrist on staff to start the therapy and receive the proper medical treatment if necessary. It is important to follow the direct orders from the consulted specialist and practice all exercises given as much as you can for the treatment to be effective.
In acute insomnia, medications are not always necessary. By simply incorporating stress reducers and relaxation exercises in your daily routine the symptoms can decrease immensely. Avoiding the use of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and other chemicals that stimulate the nervous system in the evening, will prevent your body from unnecessary restlessness and your chances of sleeping properly will greatly increase. Keeping a healthy diet and exercising frequently will keep your body healthy and balanced.
It is possible that a small change in the atmosphere is causing a restlessness you’re not aware of. Moving to a noisy neighborhood or a change in the lights in your bedroom can be meaningful enough to change your sleeping habits. Many times you can easily handle those changes with small adjustments and go back to having a good night’s sleep. If the symptoms do not diminish after a short period of time, you should think of turning to professional help.
Although stress reducing techniques and simply giving time for the stress to pass usually has good effects on acute insomnia, some cases do not end promptly and there is a need for medical treatment. Many of the medications for sleeping disorders have strong side effects, which can cause alarming reactions if not well prepared for them. Follow your doctor’s instructions thoroughly and don’t hesitate to consult him again is you have any doubts or questions. It takes a few days for the medications to get in the system and start working, so take your time and watch yourself and your body’s reaction to the medical treatment. Let your doctor know of your reaction. It may be that in certain cases the side effects can signal that the medication or the dosage is not right for you. If so, the treatment will be stopped and new medicine will be prescribed. It is important to be aware of all the side effects to avoid panic, and for this you may also use relaxation exercises to avoid stress and help you cope with the change in your metabolism.
