Trouble Sleeping: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Sleep is a natural periodic state of mind and body. There are three basic pillars on which a happy and healthy life is based and sleep is one of them along with the nutrition and exercise. For adults, 7 to 8 hours of sleep is considered to be the best amount of sleep, however some people may need as few as 5 hours of sleep each day. Everyone nowadays is in a race to fight their problems and with the result it has become hard for an individual to cope up in this competitive world. A man is more focused on making money rather than taking care of their health and as result the trouble in sleeping tends to occur more. As mentioned earlier that sleep is one of the basic pillars of happy and healthy life, and if you’re not getting enough sleep you may face some serious health issues. Trouble sleeping may lead to frustrating and debilitating experience. The most common sleeping problems include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation and restless legs syndrome. They can take a toll on your mood, energy, efficiency and ability to deal with stress. Avoiding sleep trouble can eventually affect your physical and as well as mental health. Apart from that there can be a lot more problems like weight gain, impaired job performance, memory problems, etc.

Your treatment depends on what type of sleep problem you’re having. For Insomnia the treatment may require most of the efforts from your end. You can avoid trouble sleeping by taking care of yourself, by improving sleep habits, behavior therapy and identifying the triggers that causes trouble in your sleep. You can initially use sleeping pills but only under the proper medical supervision. By making few changes in your lifestyle can also improve the sleeping habits.

1. Reduce stress and anxiety by exercising or meditating
2. Sticking to a regular sleeping schedule
3. Avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking
4. Avoid/ take less water before going to bed
5. Remove electronics such as laptops, smart phones from the bed
6. If you’re overweight, work on weight loss
7. Get medical treatment for any allergies

   Apart from all these you can try the prescribed medicines as well. The most common prescribed medicines are Carbidopa-levodopa, Gabapentin, Ropinirole and Gabapentin. But these medicines may have side effects, so talk to your doctor about the same.

   As discussed earlier that there are few types of sleeping disorders like Insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring and sleep deprivation. In order to overcome these disorders few treatments have already been discussed in the above section. It’s very important to get the treatment done as early as possible. Once you get to know about the symptoms and the exact sleep disorder consult a doctor and take proper medication if prescribed. Try to avoid the triggers that cause trouble in sleep. If the treatment is not being done at the right time it may lead to mood changes, fatigue and irritability.

The eligibility for the treatment for the disease can be best diagnosed by the specialist doctor. It is therefore advised that the patient consults the doctor before undergoing any specific treatment. Doctors on examining the conditions shall decide the eligibility for the treatment. But patients who report trouble while sleeping, have less sleep and those who are working in night shifts etc. are more eligible for the treatment.

As we know that the people with trouble in sleeping are eligible to receive treatment for the same. However there are people who tend to take sleeping pills and other medicines as drugs in huge quantities. This preferably does not mean that the person is suffering from any sort of sleeping disorder. Until and unless you know that you’re suffering from a sleep disorder you’re not supposed to take any kind of pills or any other medication. If they still feel the need, consultation from a doctor is required.

There are a number of side effects of sleep loss

• Sleepiness causes accidents
• Sleep deprivation may lead to various health issues
• Sleep loss may kill your sex drive
• Sleepiness may lead to depression or anxiety
• Lack of sleep causes ageing of skin
• Sleepiness can affect your memory
• Lack of sleep may lead to weight gain
• Lack of sleep can affect our interpretation of events
• Improper sleep may eventually increase the risk of death

For a patient with Insomnia or any other sleep disorder, post treatment is as important as the treatment. Dealing with sleep disorder requires strong medication which needs to be controlled once the patient is done with the treatment. After the treatment is done its important to continue with the follow ups. The follow ups include

• Regular checkup and consultation with the doctor
• Keeping check over the sleeping pattern
• Avoiding stress and anxiety
• Following a clean diet
• Regular meditation
• Surrounding yourself with positivity
• Avoiding alcohol and smoking

The duration and recovery time in case of sleeping disorder varies from patient to patient, depending upon their age, the type of disorder and its intensity. If a patient is suffering from severe Insomnia he/she may take more time to recover than a patient having sleep deprivation. Long-term cases can take a bit more time to resolve. However, if one stick with their treatment plan and regularly communicate with the doctor, they can eventually find their way to better sleep.

The cost involved in the treatment of Insomnia in India differs from case to case and place to place depending upon the type of disorder, the kind of treatment required and also upon the clinic or hospital one visits. In general case a sleeping study test can cost anywhere from INR 2000 to INR 20,000 based on it’s level. For example, A Polysomnography is a level 1 sleep study which is generally a lab sleep study used for treating sleep apnea and can cost around INR 15,000 while an Extensive Home Sleep Study test (level 2) can cost around INR 10,000. Other cost involved are Dr.consultation and medication which can vary depending upon various factors.

Insomnia is curable and the results can be permanent but one needs to follow the guidelines which include self hygiene, meditation, healthy diet and fixed sleep routine.

There are certain ways and methods one can use to cure sleeping disorder. They are :

• Developing a sleep routine
• Using relaxation methods before going to bed
• Avoiding work and activities while on bed
• Trying cognitive behavioral therapy
• Using CPAC ( continuous positive airway pressure ) machine