Insomnia

Insomnia is among the most common sleep disorders, affecting 1 in 4 Americans. Thankfully, natural remedies and prescription medication are often enough to help you sleep soundly through the night. At Twin Ports Telemedicine based in Duluth, Minnesota, board-certified advanced family nurse practitioner Nikki Shockley, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, diagnoses and treats insomnia during telehealth or home visits. Call Twin Ports Telemedicine to schedule your appointment today, or book your telehealth or home visit online.

If I can’t sleep, does it mean I have insomnia?

Most people have occasional trouble falling and staying asleep. But if your symptoms recur every night, causing sleep deprivation, your risk of more severe health problems increases.

Poor sleep can cause grogginess and irritability. Without prompt treatment, it can also affect performance at work or school, relationships, and quality of life.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Insomnia symptoms include:

• Feeling tired, unwell, and sleepy
• Trouble remembering things
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating
• Mood disruptions, like anger or anxiety
• Delayed responses

As insomnia gets worse, it increases your risk of chronic health problems, including high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and depression.

When should I seek treatment for insomnia?

Make an appointment at Twin Ports Telemedicine if insomnia lasts four weeks or longer. That’s particularly true if your symptoms don’t improve after taking over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids or if you regularly wake up in the night gasping for breath.

How is insomnia diagnosed?

Nikki diagnoses insomnia during a telehealth appointment or home visit.

She reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, sleep habits, and personal circumstances. Answer Nikki’s questions honestly; don’t hold anything back. She won’t judge you, and your answers will help guide your treatment.

Since diagnosing insomnia often requires a sleep test, Nikki might prescribe an at-home sleep test or refer you to a nearby sleep specialist for a lab sleep test. Sleep tests monitor your breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and muscle movements during sleep. They help pinpoint the cause of your insomnia and are crucial for developing a treatment plan.

How is insomnia treated?

At Twin Ports Telemedicine, Nikki takes a conservative, integrative approach to treating insomnia. She could suggest:

• Improving your sleep hygiene (for example, creating a sleep schedule)
• Counseling or talk therapy with a qualified mental health professional
• Stress management techniques (for example, deep breathing or acupuncture)
• Limiting your intake of caffeine and other stimulants
• Prescription sleep aids
• Sedating antidepressants
• Natural remedies, like melatonin (a hormone) and tryptophan (an amino acid)

Most people benefit from several insomnia treatments at once. Nikki monitors your symptoms at regular checkups and adjusts things when needed. The goal is to help you fall and stay asleep for at least eight hours each night.

Call Twin Ports Telemedicine today to schedule a telehealth or home insomnia appointment, or book your visit online.