Before prescribing treatment (such as medication or a healthy lifestyle regimen), a doctor will normally test someone suffering from insomnia for any other medical condition, including depression or thyroid problems.

Next, a doctor will work with you or your loved one to determine any causes for insomnia such as chronic stress, or a loud environment. He or she may prescribe sleeping pills (for short-term use), relaxation therapy, or behavioral therapy or counseling.

Reconditioning

Some people suffering from insomnia need to recondition themselves to associating their bed and bedroom with sleep. For example, many people eat and watch television in bed. Doctors or therapists may often "prescribe" a ban in the bedroom for all things except sleep so the body and mind start to associate the bed with one activity: sleep. This can help promote awareness that when you go to bed, your role is to sleep.

Health care professionals may also recommend avoiding alcohol or food up to three hours before bedtime, as well as avoiding hot baths right before bed. Sometimes bright light from the morning sun can disturb sleep: Make sure you put blinds or curtains on all windows and keep them tightly closed while sleeping.

Sometimes sleep "reconditioning" is prescribed. This often means that a person is asked to restrict sleep to only a few hours a night. Sometimes this enables a person to grow so tired over the course of a few days, that the next time they hit the pillow, they sleep the whole night through.

Sleep Hygiene

Alice P. Domar, a Lluminari expert, recommends the following ways to to treat insomnia:

1. Go to bed or stay in bed only when sleepy
2. If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something else until you feel sleepy
3. Avoid naps
4. Get up and go to bed the same time each day
5. Refrain from exercise within several hours of bedtime
6. Use your bed only for sleeping or sex
7. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol four to six hours before bedtime
8. Avoid eating large meals and taking hot baths within 90 minutes of going to bed
9. Make sure your bed and bedroom are quiet and comfortable
10. Use sunlight to set your biologiocal clock

Check with your doctor for more information on treatment for insomnia.  

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