Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder where people may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good quality sleep. It can last for a few days or weeks.

People with insomnia may experience the following symptoms:

• Laying awake for a long time before falling asleep
• Waking up often during the night or staying awake for most of the night
• Waking up too early in the morning and being unable to get back to sleep

Poor-quality sleep may then lead to:

• Waking up feeling unrested
• Feeling sleepy and tired during the day
• Trouble focusing on daily tasks
• Feeling anxious, depressed, or annoyed

There are many different causes of insomnia.

Some common causes include:

• Age (your chances of experiencing insomnia increase as you get older)
• Stress
• Hormonal changes (during pregnancy or menopause)
• Poor sleep habits
• Environment (e.g. low or high temperatures)
• Occupation (e.g. shift or night workers)
• Medical conditions (e.g. chronic pain, asthma, acid reflux mental health disorders)
• Medications (such as certain antidepressants, corticosteroids, or stimulants)

Your lifestyle habits can also increase your risk of sleep problems, for example:

• Changes to your normal routine often
• Being a new parent and waking up frequently to care for a baby
• Taking long naps throughout the day
• Using caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or recreational drugs

Insomnia is diagnosed by your doctor. They may ask you questions about your sleep patterns, medical conditions, any medications you take, and your mental health.

They may also ask you about lifestyle factors like how much caffeine and alcohol you consume, and other symptoms you may have, like pain.

Sometimes, they may perform a physical exam to look for any underlying medical issues.

There are various prescription medicines used to treat insomnia. These may be suitable for either short-term or longer-term use.

Some common prescription medicines include benzodiazepine receptors agonists (e.g. zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone), suvorexant, temazepam, or doxepin.

Another alternative is melatonin, a supplement available without a prescription, which helps regulate your sleep cycle.

Your doctor may also suggest a type of therapy known as cognitive behavioural therapy. This involves using cognitive techniques to help you sleep, such as sleep restriction therapy and relaxation training. Sessions can be done in small groups or one-to-one.

You can make certain lifestyle changes such as following healthy sleep habits to reduce the risk of insomnia. Consider adopting the following bedtime habits:

• Make your bedroom sleep friendly. Sleep in a cool, quiet, dark place.
• Avoid screen time before bed, as blue light can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
• Have a regular routine (try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time each day)
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime.
• Do regular exercise each day
• Avoid napping during the day
• Use stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation
• Wind down and relax before bed by reading a book, listening to calming music, or taking a hot bath

Yes, you can buy Doxepin tablets online at SpeedyHealth. These are available in 3mg or 6mg strengths.

You will first need to complete an online consultation so our doctors can check your symptoms and medical history to see if this treatment is safe for you to take.

If approved, you will receive your treatment with free delivery and discreet packaging.