Insomnia is when you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. It’s a common sleep disorder that may only last a short period of time. However, if your insomnia is an ongoing problem that interferes with your daytime activities, then you should schedule a consultation at Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology in Manhattan. Dr. Eric Teller specializes in diagnosing and treating different forms of insomnia. Call the Midtown East New York City office or schedule an appointment online today.

Insomnia Q & A

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. About 70 million people in the United States struggle with insomnia every year. 

People with the sleep disorder may have short-term or chronic insomnia:

Short-term insomnia

If you have a hard time sleeping for a few days or a few weeks, then you have short-term insomnia. Stress is a common cause of this type of insomnia.

Chronic insomnia

If you have a hard time sleeping at least three nights a week for three or more months, you have chronic insomnia. This type of insomnia may occur from an underlying health condition. 

What causes insomnia?

Insomnia may develop from any number of causes, including psychological, physical, or environmental. Common causes of insomnia include:

• Stress
• Change in schedule or routine
• Poor bedtime habits
• Anxiety or depression
• Hormonal fluctuations (e.g., menstrual cycle, menopause, thyroid disease)
• Medication side effects
• Chronic disease

Your insomnia may also be a symptom of a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, Circadian rhythm or limb movement disorders. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep condition in which you stop and restart breathing several times an hour while you sleep.

Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology has sleep specialists with advanced training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders like sleep apnea. If you’re suffering from insomnia and want to know why, schedule an appointment with the experts. 

What can I expect during an insomnia evaluation?

You can expect a patient-centered exam when you visit Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology with concerns about insomnia. The providers spend a lot of time with their patients to find the root cause of their sleep problems.

During your visit, your sleep specialist asks detailed questions about your sleep struggles and how they affect your daytime activities. They also ask about your bedtime routine and lifestyle habits and review your medical history.

If your provider at Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology suspects you have a more serious sleep disorder like sleep apnea, they will schedule you for a  sleep study.

How is insomnia treated?

Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology customizes your insomnia treatment plan based on the underlying cause. Before making any specific recommendations, your provider spends time talking to you about your sleep issue and the treatments that might help.

Your plan may include:

• Change in your bedtime routine
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Sleep medication
• Weight loss
• Smoking cessation

If you have sleep apnea, your provider may recommend devices that improve your breathing while you sleep, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or a mandibular advancement device (MAD).

When insomnia interferes with your daytime routine, it’s time to get help from the experts at Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.