Treatments for Insomnia

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

En Español (Spanish Version)

The treatment and management of insomnia depends on its severity and underlying cause. Transient or intermittent insomnia may not need treatment since it lasts only a few days. When treatment is needed it may involve lifestyle changes, medications, and other treatments.

The first step in treating insomnia is to identify and treat any underlying medical or psychological problems. The ultimate goal is to achieve a normal and restorative pattern of sleep.

Treatment may involve the following:

• Lifestyle changes • Medications • Other treatments • Complementary and alternative treatments

REFERENCES:

Buysse DJ. Insomnia. JAMA. 2013;309(7):706-716.

Insomnia. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/condition/insomnia. Updated July 2017. Accessed March 7, 2018.

Insomnia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/insomnia. Accessed March 7, 2018.

Insomnia. National Sleep Foundation website. Available at: https://sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/home. Accessed March 7, 2018.

Insomnia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114839/Insomnia-in-adults . Updated June 5, 2017. Accessed March 7, 2018.

• Previous • Next

Last reviewed March 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Monica Zangwill, MD, MPH
Last Updated: 3/15/2015

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.