Dr. Alex Lechin and Different Ways to Overcome Sleep Problems

According to the latest findings from the National Institutes of Health, 6% of the overall population is affected by insomnia. For those unfamiliar, this is a condition characterized by chronic sleeplessness. Meaning, the patient finds it difficult or nearly impossible to get the necessary amount of sleep that they require. In addition, two% of all females and four% of males are affected by sleep apnea. Although there are individuals with both conditions, the numbers remain quite high.

In a country with 325.7 million people, this means that over 30 million individuals suffer from some form of sleep disorder. To demonstrate this even better, consider an average city like Pasadena. With a little over 150,000 people, one in every 10 to 11 individuals could be affected by the aforementioned conditions. On any given night, 15,000 Pasadena residents are struggling to sleep. So, how do these people overcome the mind-boggling sleep deprivation? The first step is to seek out a medical professional, which could include your family doctor, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, or, Dr. Alex Lechin says, a sleep medicine expert.

Sleep Medicine

One of the easiest ways to overcome a condition is to consult one's physician. Luckily, almost every mid-sized city will have an expert that specializes in sleep disorders. After interacting with a doctor, however, most individuals will be advised to start taking sleep medicine that can jump-start the recovery process. Dr. Alex Lechin, however, a pulmonologist and sleep medicine expert, believes that sleep disorders could point to other medical issues and medicine should only be taken if prescribed by a professional.

• Benzodiazepine

Although Benzodiazepines are originally used to fight anxiety, they provide relief to patients with sleep problems as well. The exact science behind this medicine is based on neurotransmitters in the brain. To oversimplify the explanation, Benzodiazepines reduce the nerve activity which helps one get the necessary rest.

• Silenor

People that may be able to fall asleep yet find it difficult to stay that way should look into Silenor. It is used to target insomnia in patients that are experiencing short sleep periods interrupted by frequent waking up. As with many other drugs, Silenor belongs to the family of antidepressants and the exact way it works remains unexplained.

• Belsomra

Belsomra belongs to the category of drugs that are labeled "sedative-hypnotics". It aims to provide rapid relief for those who may need to overcome the symptoms of insomnia fast. As far as the way it operates, its power comes from blocking a hormone that causes one to be awake. Thus, falling and staying asleep is something that Belsomra specializes in.

• Sonata

Similar to the previous alternative, Sonata is used to treat patients who need help fast and will not use medicine on a long-term basis. Additionally, the main area where Sonata helps is falling asleep. It is a hypnotic that relaxes portions of the brain so that one can enter the sleeping stages. It does not, however, offer ways to help one stay asleep longer.

Other Ways to Treat the Condition

According to Dr. Alex Lechin, drugs are not the only way to overcome sleep deprivation. In fact, there are countless alternatives that help deal with this condition in a natural manner. These include things like losing weight, abstaining from drinking or smoking, staying away from caffeine, and more.

• A Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a regular sleeping schedule is easier when one has a healthy lifestyle. This includes everything from frequently exercising to avoiding unnecessary drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. That way, the muscles are engaged and the brain is unaffected by external influences. Additionally, one must have a proper diet that leaves out any substances that boost energy. For example, consuming a lot of coffee will supplement the patient with caffeine. Given caffeine's ability to act as a stimulator, it will add on to one's energy and minimize the chances of sleep.

• Natural Alternatives

For those skeptical of taking medication to alleviate sleeping conditions, there are also natural alternatives and supplements that have been shown to help induce sleep. For those suffering from an overactive mind when trying to sleep, Melatonin may help calm the mind and fall sleep. There are also many herbal teas with natural ingredients like chamomile that help relax the body and mind before sleep.

• Professional Treatments

Sometimes, however, basic medicine and at-home solutions may be futile. This is when the patient can resort to a long-term treatment. As Dr. Alex Lechin notices, these are usually the final measures that one must consider if everything else fails. The reason why is because most of the treatment options are quite radical. After all, they include surgery, custom-made breathing devices, or even implants to keep the airways open. Fortunately, most patients find a solution long before they reach these options.