Insomnia Health Article

Prevention

Prevention of insomnia centers around promotion of a healthy lifestyle. A balance of rest, recreation and exercise in combination with stress management, regular physical examinations, and a healthy diet can do much to reduce the risk.

BOOKS

Boyd, Mary Ann, and Mary Ann Nihart. Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1998.

The Burton Goldberg Group. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Fife, WA: Future Medicine Publishing, 1995.

Frisch, Noreen Cavan, and Lawrence E. Frisch. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Albany, NY: Delmar, 1988.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Sleep Disorders Association. 1610 14th St. NW, Ste. 300, Rochester, MN 55901. (507) 287-6006. <http://www.asda.org>.

OTHER

"Patient Information: Insomnia and What You Can Do to Sleep Better." American Family Physician 49, no. 6 (May 1,1994) <http://home.aafp.org/afp>.

"What to Do When You Can't Sleep." The Virtual Hospital Page. University of Iowa. <http://www.vh.org>.

Donald G. Barstow, RN

KEY TERMS

Biofeedback—A training technique that enables an individual to gain some element of control over involuntary body functions.

Mood disorder—A group of mental disorders involving a disturbance of mood, along with either a full or partial excessively happy (manic) or extremely sad (depressive) syndrome not caused by any other physical or mental disorder. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion.

Sleep apnea—A condition in which a person stops breathing while asleep. These periods can last up to a minute or more, and can occur many times each hour. In order to start breathing again, the person must become semi-awake. The episodes are not remembered, but the following day the client feels tired and sleepy. If severe, sleep apnea can cause other medical problems.

Sleep disorder—Any condition that interferes with sleep. At least 84 have been identified, according to the American Sleep Disorders Association.