Conquer Insomnia without pills.

Address the root cause of your insomnia with proven scientific treatment & monitoring to ensure long-term benefits

Book a free session with our Insomnia expert.

What is
Sleep Insomnia?

Sleep insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, leading to daytime impairments such as fatigue and irritability. It can manifest as acute insomnia, lasting a few days to weeks, or chronic insomnia, which persists for three months or longer and occurs at least three times a week. Insomnia can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, affecting mood, cognitive function, and overall health.

Types of
Sleep Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can significantly impact daily life. It is said that almost one out of three people suffer from insomnia at some point of time in their lives. Understanding the different types of insomnia is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment. Here are the primary classifications:

  1. Acute Insomnia
    • Description: This is a short-term form of insomnia that lasts from a few days to a few weeks, often triggered by stress or significant life changes such as job loss or bereavement.
    • Characteristics: Symptoms typically resolve on their own as the individual adjusts to the stressor.
  2. Chronic Insomnia
    • Description: Chronic insomnia persists for at least three nights per week for three months or longer. It can be primary (not linked to other health issues) or secondary (resulting from other conditions).
    • Characteristics: Individuals experience ongoing sleep difficulties, leading to daytime impairments such as fatigue and irritability.
  3. Sleep-Onset Insomnia
    • Description: This type involves difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
    • Characteristics: People may spend 20-30 minutes or more trying to fall asleep, often resulting in reduced total sleep time.
  4. Sleep-Maintenance Insomnia
    • Description: This refers to trouble staying asleep throughout the night or waking up too early and being unable to return to sleep.
    • Characteristics: It may be associated with various medical conditions or psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.
  5. Behavioral Insomnia of Childhood
    • Description: This type affects children and involves difficulties in initiating or maintaining sleep due to behavioral factors.
    • Characteristics: It may manifest as resistance to bedtime or reliance on caregivers for sleep initiation.
  6. Terminal Insomnia
    • Description: Also known as late insomnia, this occurs when an individual wakes up too early and cannot fall back asleep.

Transform Your Sleep, Transform Your Life Sleep Soundly, Live Fully with Remesleep

Risk Factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Excess Weight

Obesity, especially when there’s excess fat around the neck, can contribute to airway obstruction.

Age

Sleep apnea is more common in older adults, with the risk increasing as individuals age.

Gender

Men are generally at a higher risk for sleep apnea than women, though the risk for women rises if they are overweight, and it also increases after menopause.

Medical Conditions

Conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular diseases can be associated with a higher risk of sleep apnea.

Family History

A family history of sleep apnea may elevate your risk, suggesting a potential genetic component.

Smoking & Vaping

Smokers are at a higher risk due to the inflammation and fluid retention that smoking can cause in the airway.

Alcohol & Sedative Use

The use of substances that relax the muscles, such as alcohol and certain medications, can contribute to airway collapse.

Nasal Congestion

Conditions that obstruct nasal passages, like a deviated septum or chronic nasal congestion, may increase the risk.

Sleep Position

Sleeping on your back may increase the likelihood of airway obstruction compared to sleeping on your side.

How it works

Tailored sleep care that works, for you

A comprehensive sleep apnea test
and program based on your
sleep pattern assessment

Step 1: Sleep Study At Home

Establish a precise baseline of your sleep pattern
& incidence of apneas [stoppage of breathing]
at night to screen for your sleep disorder

Step 3: Our Sleep Apnea Program

Follow-up sessions with sleep therapists
to address contributing factors like
weight, diet, & lifestyle management

Step 2: Personalised Plan

Receive tailored insights to manage your
sleep disorder along with a personalised
lifestyle plan by an experienced sleep physician

Step 4: Monitoring with Sleep Coach

Continued Monitoring with monthly check-ins
and regular tests to track progress and
effectiveness of the sleep apnea solutions

Causes of
Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is primarily caused by physical blockages in the airway during sleep. Key factors include:

  • Obesity: Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can compress the airway, leading to obstruction during sleep.
  • Anatomical Features: Certain anatomical traits, such as a thick neck, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and a narrow airway, increase the likelihood of airway obstruction.
  • Age: The risk of OSA increases with age, particularly in individuals over 60.
  • Sex: Men are more likely to develop OSA than women, although the risk for women increases post-menopause.
  • Family History: A genetic predisposition may contribute to the risk of developing OSA, as anatomical traits can be inherited.
  • Smoking: Smoking can lead to inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, exacerbating OSA symptoms.
  • Nasal Congestion: Chronic nasal congestion from allergies or anatomical issues can hinder airflow and increase the risk of OSA.
  • Alcohol and Sedatives: These substances relax throat muscles, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

CSA is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. Causes include:

  • Medical Conditions: Heart disorders, strokes, and conditions affecting the brainstem can disrupt normal breathing patterns.
  • Age: Similar to OSA, older adults are at higher risk for CSA.
  • Opioid Use: Long-term use of opioid medications can interfere with normal respiratory control

Symptoms of
Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea poses various risks to both your short-term well-being and long-term health. Common risks include:

Primary Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by a range of symptoms that can significantly affect both nighttime and daytime functioning. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Loud Snoring: This is one of the most noticeable signs. Snoring associated with sleep apnea often includes pauses in breathing, followed by gasping or choking sounds as airflow resumes.
  • Choking or Gasping During Sleep: Individuals may wake up suddenly with a sensation of choking or gasping for air, which can be alarming and disrupt sleep.
  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Many people with sleep apnea experience significant fatigue during the day, even after a full night’s sleep. This can lead to difficulties in concentration, irritability, and decreased productivity.
  • Restless Sleep: Frequent awakenings throughout the night and difficulty maintaining sleep can be common. Individuals may toss and turn or feel restless while trying to sleep.
  • Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat is often due to breathing through the mouth during sleep, which is common in those with obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Morning Headaches: Some individuals report waking up with headaches that may persist for several hours, potentially linked to poor oxygenation during sleep.
  • Increased Need to Urinate at Night: Frequent nighttime urination (nocturia) can disrupt sleep and is another symptom associated with sleep apnea

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a combination of a health history, physical exam, and sleep studies. The diagnostic process typically involves the following steps:

Health History and Physical Exam
The evaluation starts with a review of the patient’s symptoms, overall health, and risk factors. The doctor will ask about sleep habits, medications, and any family history of sleep disorders. A physical exam is conducted to detect signs of sleep apnea and identify potential contributing factors.

Sleep Studies
Sleep studies are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of obstructive or central sleep apnea. The two main types of sleep studies are:

  • Polysomnography (PSG): Also known as an overnight sleep study, this is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea. It is conducted in a sleep laboratory and involves monitoring various body functions during sleep, including breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity.
  • Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT): For patients with a high likelihood of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, a home sleep apnea test may be an option. The patient wears a portable device that monitors breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate while sleeping in their own bed.

The results of the sleep study are used to determine the severity of sleep apnea based on the number of breathing interruptions per hour, known as the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). In some cases, a split-night sleep study may be performed, where the first half of the night is used for diagnosis and the second half for treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.By undergoing a thorough diagnostic process, individuals can receive an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan to manage their sleep apnea effectively.

Meet our happy and healthy sleepers

Book Your Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can insomnia go away?
No matter your age, insomnia typically can be treated. The key often lies in changes to your routine during the day and when you go to bed
What is the fastest way to cure insomnia?
Practicing good sleep hygiene and sleep habits can help you overcome insomnia. This means that you should try to stick to a regular sleep schedule every day. Set a regular bedtime and a regular time to wake up so that your body gets into the habit of sleeping during those hours.
Is insomnia a mental illness?

Insomnia is rarely an isolated medical or mental illness but rather a symptom of another illness to be investigated by a person and their medical doctors. In other people, insomnia can be a result of a person’s lifestyle or work schedule.
Sleep is a window to the mind. And insomnia is a pointer towards unhealthy mind.

Is insomnia serious?
Occasional episodes of insomnia can come and go without causing any serious problems. But, some people can have insomnia for months or even years at a time. Persistent insomnia can have an impact on your quality of life. It can limit what you’re able to do during the day and affect your mood.
Can I cure insomnia by myself?

Some of the most important things you can do to help your insomnia — and your sleep overall — revolve around sleep hygiene. These include, but aren’t limited to: Set and follow a sleep schedule. For most people, the best thing you can do for your body and sleep needs is to have a routine.

What is the best medication for insomnia?
The most common antidepressants prescribed for sleep are Trazodone & Doxepine. These medications are usually prescribed at doses that are lower than what is required for the treatment of depression and they do not lead to tolerance or drug dependence.

Book Free Expert Consultation

Book Free Expert Consultation