Insomnia Specialist

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition where a patient experiences difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when he or she is in a condition conducive to sleep. Dr. Varese sees patients who feel dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of their sleep and are experiencing at least one of following symptoms: fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, and decreased performance in work or at school. Insomnia is categorized as either acute or chronic, depending on its duration. Acute insomnia usually only lasts for a night or two and is due to life circumstances such as feeling nervous about a presentation or after receiving bad news. Chronic insomnia, however, occurs at least 3 times a week and lasts for 3 months or more. Chronic insomnia can be caused by a number of factors ranging from hormonal imbalances and clinical disorders to unhealthy sleep habits or certain medications.

Why Is Good Sleep Important?

Insomnia leads to day time fatigue which causes problems with intellectual function and mental/emotional responses. It alters your immune balance, favoring a greater inflammatory response and/or lowering your immune defenses. Incomplete sleep also contributes to poor blood sugar control, which in turn cause problems for the adrenal glands and affects immune balance.

How Does Dr. Varese Treat Insomnia?

Dr. Varese begins by running blood and saliva tests to measure thyroid and adrenal hormone levels and urine tests to gather neurotransmitter information. Insomnia is often caused or made worse by hormonal imbalances and a dysfunctional immune response. Any identified hormonal imbalances are addressed with bio-identical hormone treatment and the prescription of nutritional, herbal, and amino acid formulas to restore the body to optimal functionality. Dr. Varese works closely with her patients to encourage healthy lifestyle choices to support good sleep habits including exercise, dietary changes, avoiding screens before bed, and establishing healthy sleep patterns.

When Should I See a Doctor for Insomnia?

You should make an appointment with Dr. Varese if insomnia makes it hard for you to function during the day. She will work with you closely to identify the cause of your sleep problem and design a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs.

For more information, Dr. Varese recommends checking out Sanesco: Health in Balance