ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep problems become increasingly common with age. Many older adults experience difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently during the night, or feeling tired despite spending enough time in bed. Because of these challenges, medications are sometimes considered when lifestyle changes and behavioral treatments are not enough.

One medication frequently used in older adults is trazodone. Although originally developed as an antidepressant, trazodone is often prescribed at lower doses to help with insomnia.

However, trazodone is not specifically approved by the FDA as a sleep medication, and its use in older adults requires careful consideration. Aging changes how the body processes medications, and some side effects may be more concerning for seniors.

Understanding how trazodone works, when it may be appropriate, and what risks to consider can help older adults and their families make informed decisions about sleep treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is widely considered one of the most effective treatments for chronic insomnia. Unlike sleep medications that primarily target symptoms, CBT-I focuses on changing the thoughts, behaviors, and habits that contribute to ongoing sleep problems.

For many people, CBT-I leads to significant improvements in sleep quality and daytime functioning. However, some individuals complete CBT-I and continue to struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested.

If CBT-I has not worked for you, it does not mean that your insomnia cannot improve. It may mean that additional evaluation is needed to understand what is preventing healthy sleep.

Persistent insomnia often has multiple contributing factors, and finding the right combination of treatments may require a more personalized approach.

Financial stress is often discussed in terms of budgets, debt, and long-term security—but one of its most immediate and underestimated consequences happens every night in bed. Worrying about money doesn’t just occupy your thoughts during the day; it follows you into the dark, interferes with your body’s ability to rest, and quietly erodes sleep quality over time.

The connection between financial strain and sleep is not simply psychological. It is deeply biological, behavioral, and cyclical—creating a feedback loop that can be difficult to break without awareness and intentional intervention.

Your dreams often reflect the health of your sleep. Sleep disorders can profoundly alter both how you dream and how often you recall dreams.

If you've ever taken sleep medication and found yourself wide awake the moment you stop, you’re not alone. This frustrating phenomenon is known as rebound insomnia—a temporary but often intense return of sleeplessness that can be worse than the original problem.

In this post, we’ll explore what rebound insomnia is, why it happens, and how to manage it without falling into a cycle of long-term sleep aid dependence.

Insomnia is a frustrating sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. While stress, anxiety, and lifestyle habits are often to blame, many people are surprised to learn that the medications they take might also be interfering with their sleep. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause insomnia or other sleep disturbances as a side effect. Here’s a closer look at some common medications that may contribute to sleepless nights, why they have this effect, and what you can do if you suspect your medication is keeping you awake.

Waking up early can be refreshing and productive when it’s intentional, but when it happens unintentionally, it can disrupt your sleep routine and leave you feeling groggy throughout the day. Whether it's due to external factors like noise or internal factors like stress or an inconsistent sleep schedule, understanding why you wake up early and implementing strategies to manage it can help you achieve a more restful morning and a productive day ahead.

Sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being, yet many individuals experience episodes of insomnia—a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at least three times per week for at least three months. Episodic insomnia, also known as acute insomnia, refers to periods of disrupted sleep that occur intermittently and may be triggered by specific events or circumstances. In this blog post, we'll explore what episodic insomnia is, potential causes and symptoms, and effective strategies for managing and preventing episodes of sleep disruption.

Sleep is a vital component of our overall well-being, impacting everything from our mood and cognitive function to our physical health. However, for individuals experiencing recurrent insomnia, the ability to obtain restful and restorative sleep becomes a persistent challenge. In this blog post, we'll delve into the complexities of recurrent insomnia—what it is, what causes it, its effects on health and daily life, and effective strategies for managing and overcoming this sleep disorder.