What is it?

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, (TCM).

Sleep is a natural yet delicate process requiring an harmonious and coordinated integration of mind, body and spirit. Insomnia typically reflects some degree of imbalance existing in one or all three categories of mind, body and spirit.

The imbalance may be greater in one area compared to another, but all three components must be investigated to properly diagnose and treat the insomnia. Other contributing factors to insomnia are diet, stress, drugs and certain environmental conditions.

TRADITIONAL WESTERN MEDICINE (TWM)
Insomnia is an interruption of the normal sleep cycles resulting in an inadequate quantity or quality of sleep. During normal sleep the body goes through different stages identified by a certain brain wave pattern which can be recorded. A certain amount of time is spent in each stage in order for normal sleep to occur.

Many factors must be assessed in order to determine the cause of a sleep disturbance. A large percentage of sleeplessness is temporary in nature and will resolve spontaneously. Many more are situational and correct when the situational factors are changed or the patient adjusts to the new situation. Other inciting factors are organic and entail, at times, lengthy investigations to determine the cause.

Medications, alcohol, drugs and coffee cause significant disruptions in the stages of sleep. Over a period of time the disruption to the sleep cycles can produce symptoms due to the poor quality of sleep, even when the total number of hours sleeping are normal.

Examples of insomnia: inability to fall asleep; reawaken frequently; sleep too little. Factors contributing to insomnia: sleep apnea; restless leg syndrome; menopause; kidney disease; heart problems and so on.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

Insomnia is characterized by the pattern with which the normal sleep cycle is disrupted. Each pattern has different diagnostic implications and treatment needs. For instance, whether your ability to fall asleep is impaired, whether you reawaken during the night and whether or not you awaken too early are all critical to identifying your pattern of insomnia. Another symptom equally important is the time a sleep disturbance occurs ie., if you consistently awake at 1:00 am each night. Identifying these patterns leads to the a treatment appropriate for each pattern.

TRADITIONAL WESTERN MEDICINE (TWM)

Insomnia is a subjective feeling that the amount of sleep obtained is insufficient to meet normal daily requirements. The patient may feel a variety of both physical and emotional effects as a result of the sleep deprivation. Among these symptoms are: sleepiness; loss of appetite; poor concentration; emotional lability; lack of stamina; breathing difficulties; dream disturbances and so on.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

Chinese medicine is very successful treating insomnia. Its use of acupuncture and herbal therapy is safe, effective and will not adversely disrupt the normal sleep pattern. The insomnia pattern is identified along the guidelines of Chinese medicine.

Treatment consists of correcting the root cause of the insomnia with a combination of acupuncture, herbs, diet evaluation and meditation practices. Because the insomnia is a symptom reflecting an underlying core imbalance, the treatment must focus on and correct this core imbalance if the treatment is to be successful.

Frequently insomnia is the first symptom we are aware of that actually represents a more deep seated problem. Early diagnosis and intervention at this stage often helps prevent a more complicated problem from developing.

TRADITIONAL WESTERN MEDICINE (TWM)

Treatment is usually begun with a sleeping pill. These drugs are intended for short term intervention only, usually several days, and only when absolutely necessary. The reason short term treatment is advised is due to the high potential addiction and because they significantly impair the natural stages of sleep. For more severe or chronic insomnia combination drug therapy is tried, possibly combined with biofeedback or hypnosis. Severe cases require a thorough workup to rule out an organic cause and may require overnight sleep laboratory evaluation. Any organic problem, heart or kidney disease, will then be treated as indicated.