Sleep Insomnia

Good Evening, Rose Sheepskill here. We have a special treat for you this evening; I have had an unexpected visit from Hungry, Dr. Luke Sleepwalker and his lovely wife Natasha. Dr. Luke Sleepwalker is a noted sleep disorder physician. He treats those with chronic disorders including his wife, Natasha. 200 years ago Natasha was turned when she was afflicted by the sleep disorder, insomnia. Since she became a vamp her disorder followed her even though she is dead. Now being a vamp with insomnia can be a chronic disorder, because there is not much you can do when you are in a box for 8-12 hours. “Right, Natasha?”

“Rose, so very true, some days are extremely rough to get through.” Said Natasha “Do you mind if the Doctor and I tell your audience what insomnia is and the causes individuals experience?”

“No, please go right ahead …the crypt is yours”

“Insomnia is the observation or complaint of insufficient or inconsistent sleep due to one or more of the following:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up frequently
• Waking up too early in the evening (before sunset)
• Restless sleep

Insomnia is not identified by the number of hours of sleep a person gets or how long it takes for a person to fall asleep because individuals need for sleep vary. Insomnia may cause problems during your waking hours such as tiredness, lack of energy, struggle with concentration and irritability.”

“Insomnia can be divided among a few types; transient or short term, intermittent or on and off insomnia and chronic or constant. Transient can last from a single night to a few weeks, while intermittent only occurs from time to time and chronic arises most days or nights depending if the patient is alive or undead like Natasha.” Dr. Luke Sleepwalker said.

“There are certain conditions that cause insomnia more likely in individuals. Some examples of these conditions include; those over the age of 60, female gender and medical history. Medical history conditions that cause insomnia are; depression, stress, anxiety, a medical problem or certain medications. Transient and intermittent insomnia generally transpire in people due to stress, noise, extreme temperatures, changes in environment (not sleeping in your own casket), sleep/wake schedules (like jet lag) or medication side effects.

Now chronic insomnia, like Natasha’s is more complex and results from a combination of factors including underlying physical or mental disorders. Most common is depression while other causes have been known to consist of acute arthritis, kidney disease, heart failure, asthma, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, Parkinson disease and hyperthyroidism. Natasha was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and is treated with taking a thyroid hormone pill (Levothyroxine) once a day, preferably when she first wakes up. Before she was diagnosed she also experienced stress, once treatment started both conditions became controllable and now she can get a good days sleep.

Some behavioral factors might cause chronic insomnia and they are; caffeine, alcohol, drugs, work schedules and chronic stress. Other behaviors that perpetuate insomnia are just plan worrying, taking naps and disruptive sleep schedules. If individuals would stop these behaviors they may eliminate insomnia altogether.” Dr. Luke Skywalker suggested.

“Insomnia is found in both genders, all age groups but seems to be most common in females, especially females that are older and post menopause. My patients are evaluated with the help of their medical back ground and sleep history. Their sleep history may be attained by a daily journal or an interview with their partner. Specialized sleep studies by sleeping overnight (or over day) at a sleep clinic may be recommended.

The treatments I recommend for transient and intermittent insomnia may be controlled without medication but only with changes in lifestyles. However, those that experience restless awake hours can use short-acting prescription sleeping pills to improve their alertness. Remember over the counter sleep medications have some risks and side effects and not usually recommended for the treatment of insomnia.” Dr. Luke Sleepwalker concluded.