Insomnia

Between 10-30% of the population experiences insomnia, a condition characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. If you spend most nights tossing and turning, it’s crucial to identify the underlying cause. At Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine specialist Min Lu, MD, provides complete care for insomnia. A combination of healthy lifestyle changes and stress management can help you sleep better. To make an appointment, call the office in Gaithersburg, Maryland, or book online today.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a disorder that makes it challenging to get restful and/or rejuvenating sleep. If you have insomnia, you might have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping for more than a few hours. Over time, this lack of sleep adds up, affecting your mood, outlook, and physical health. 

Most people experience periods of insomnia throughout their lives. Usually, it resolves after a week or two. If your symptoms persist, worsen, or impact your quality of life, seek treatment immediately.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

The symptoms of insomnia include:

• Irritability or a low mood
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up in the middle of the night
• Feeling tired or fatigued

As the condition worsens, you might also experience problems with concentration and memory.

What causes insomnia?

Insomnia occurs for various reasons, including:

• Life stressors
• Unhealthy lifestyle choices
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Chronic pain
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Hormone fluctuations
• Prescription medication
• Sleep disorders

You might also develop insomnia if you have a neurological disorder, like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease.

How is insomnia diagnosed?

To diagnose insomnia, Dr. Lu reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started and if they’re worse when you experience stress or after eating certain foods.

Next, she performs a physical exam. During the exam, Dr. Lu orders blood work to rule out underlying health problems, like a hormonal imbalance or nutritional deficiency. She also asks you to keep a sleep journal. A sleep journal is a notebook in which you monitor your sleep habits.

After a couple of weeks, you return to Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness, and Dr. Lu reviews the journal. She analyzes your sleep patterns and uses that information to identify activities or behaviors that might prevent you from getting restful sleep.

How is insomnia treated?

At Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness, Dr. Lu uses holistic and minimally invasive treatments to manage insomnia symptoms. Depending on your age, medical history, and the severity of your symptoms, she might recommend:

• Cupping therapy
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Stress management
• Pain management
• Nutritional supplements
• Diet changes
• Regular exercise

You might also benefit from counseling or talk therapy. If Dr. Lu suspects that’s the case, she can refer you to a nearby mental health provider.

To explore the various treatment options for insomnia, make an appointment at Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness by calling the office or booking online today.