Do you spend hours staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep? Do you wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself unable to get back to sleep? Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in Quebec, and its impact on health, mood, and quality of life is often underestimated. At Virtuel MD, our CMQ-member physicians and OIIQ-member nurse practitioners assess your situation and propose a tailored treatment plan, online, without the need to travel or wait in a clinic.
Consult a doctor today to regain restful sleep and recover your daily energy.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining sufficient quality sleep, despite adequate conditions for sleeping. It is distinguished from an occasional bad night's sleep by its frequency, duration, and significant impact on daytime functioning.
The different types of insomnia:
Acute insomnia is temporary and usually occurs in response to a stressful event — a period of exams, grief, or a major life change. It lasts from a few days to a few weeks and often resolves on its own once the triggering factor has passed.
Chronic insomnia has persisted for at least three months and occurs at least three nights per week. It requires medical evaluation and appropriate management because it can have significant repercussions on physical and mental health.
Sleep maintenance insomnia is characterized by frequent awakenings during the night or early morning awakening with an inability to fall back asleep, even when initial sleep onset is not a problem.
Most frequent causes:
Psychological causes : anxiety, the depression, Chronic stress and rumination are among the most frequent causes of insomnia. The relationship between insomnia and mental health is bidirectional; each condition can worsen the other.
Medical causes: chronic pain, gastroesophageal reflux, sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, menopause And some medications can significantly disrupt sleep.
Behavioral causes: poor sleep hygiene, caffeine or alcohol consumption, screen exposure in the evening, irregular sleep schedules, and associating the bed with awake activities are modifiable behavioral factors.
Important to know:
Untreated chronic insomnia is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and weakened immune system. Early management can prevent the establishment of a difficult-to-break insomnia cycle.
Our Virtuel MD doctors and nurse practitioners can assess your situation and direct you to the appropriate investigations and treatment.
Difficulty falling asleep regularly for more than 30 minutes, despite feeling tired, often accompanied by racing thoughts or physiological arousal incompatible with sleep.
Repeated awakenings during the night with difficulty falling back asleep, fragmenting sleep and reducing its restorative nature, leaving the person exhausted upon waking.
Spontaneous awakening several hours before the planned time with an inability to fall back asleep, often associated with negative or anxious thoughts in the early morning.
Persistent feeling of fatigue, lack of energy, and drowsiness during the day despite sufficient time spent in bed, affecting professional performance and quality of life.
Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, and emotional instability directly linked to a lack of restorative sleep.
Find essential information about insomnia in our FAQ. For targeted treatment tailored to your condition, consult a doctor online today.
A bad night's sleep is normal and happens to everyone. Insomnia is distinguished by its frequency—at least three nights a week—and its persistence over time, as well as its measurable impact on daytime functioning. When sleep difficulties last for more than four weeks and affect quality of life, medical consultation is recommended.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, recognized as the first-line treatment, can be initiated and delivered via telemedicine. A doctor can explain the basic principles, recommend validated resources, and refer you to a specialized professional if necessary.
Sleeping pills can be helpful in the short term to break a cycle of acute insomnia, but they are not a long-term treatment for chronic insomnia. A doctor can assess whether medication is appropriate for your situation and suggest a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral approaches.
Yes, hormonal fluctuations related to the menopause and to the perimenopause are a common cause of insomnia in women aged 40 and over. Night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings can significantly disrupt sleep. A consultation can help assess all symptoms and propose appropriate management.
An online medical consultation at Virtuel MD starts from $139$. Our doctors evaluate your skin via video and prescribe the appropriate treatment, all from the comfort of your home.
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