Insomnia

If you have trouble falling asleep for weeks at a time, your risk for accidents and chronic disease increases significantly. At Direct Wellness RVA, diagnostic evaluations are available for adults and adolescents with insomnia for a monthly membership fee. Grace Beers, PA-C, MSPAS, also creates custom care plans using holistic strategies and medications to improve your sleep quality. She offers in-office and telehealth visits to monitor your treatment progress and ensure you’re getting a good night’s sleep. Call the Midlothian, Virginia, office today to schedule an insomnia consultation or book an appointment online.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that’s characterized by difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. Without treatment, chronic insomnia can increase risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and other serious health conditions.

In some cases, insomnia is temporary and linked to stress and other life events. Chronic insomnia can result from underlying medical conditions, the use of certain medications, and chemical imbalances in the brain. The condition is also more common in people with a family history of insomnia.

Direct Wellness RVA provides comprehensive care for adults and adolescents with insomnia for a convenient, monthly membership fee.

Grace offers diagnostic evaluations and lab tests to identify the root cause of insomnia. She designs a treatment plan to improve your sleep quality and minimize your risk for insomnia-related health problems.

When should I seek medical attention for insomnia?

Schedule a diagnostic consultation at Direct Wellness RVA if you experience sleep issues for longer than a few weeks or if insomnia symptoms affect your ability to care for yourself and meet your responsibilities.

Primary insomnia symptoms include difficulties falling or staying asleep. These issues may also be accompanied by:

• Waking up gasping for breath
• Mood changes
• Low energy
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Crawling sensations in your legs
• Difficulties concentrating or staying focused

The sleep deprivation caused by insomnia can also lead to injuries from incidents like falls or auto accidents.

Grace reviews your personal and family medical histories, current health, and symptoms. She may order lab work or sleep testing to better understand the cause of insomnia.

How is insomnia treated?

Your treatment plan for insomnia depends on its underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. Initially, Grace may recommend lifestyle changes you can make to improve your sleep quality, such as following a set bedtime schedule and eating a well-balanced diet.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, Grace may prescribe sedative medications that help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Medications are typically meant for short-term use to prevent complications from sleep deprivation.

You may also benefit from psychological counseling to address stress or mental health issues that contribute to insomnia. Grace offers referrals to professional therapists if needed.

Follow-up visits are available in the office and through telehealth to monitor your insomnia treatment.

Call Direct Wellness RVA today to schedule an insomnia consultation or book a diagnostic evaluation online.