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Sleep contributes both to our physical and mental well-being. Sleep can affect our attention, mood, decisions, vigilance drift, and ability to process information. The amount of sleep a person varies by person and depends on a lot of factors including their lifestyle, age, and health condition. Babies and young children may need more sleep to support their growth.
‘Sleeplessness’ or ‘insomnia’ is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to fall asleep or stay asleep. This condition can be acute or chronic and can last from a few nights to months, or more.
Sleep therapy is a form of therapy that can help a person improve their quality of sleep. It can help individuals dealing with insomnia, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and mental disorders. The therapy focuses on changing behaviours, helping an individual become more self-aware, and cultivating relaxation techniques.
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Have you noticed that you’re still struggling to fall or stay asleep even after making behavioural changes? It is about time that you contact your primary care doctor. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and may refer you to a sleep specialist. Other symptoms of a sleep disorder may include:
Difficulty in falling asleep Excessive sleepiness during the day Difficulty in staying asleep Snoring or gasping for air Sleep paralysis Muscle weakness FatigueYour sleep specialist will focus on improving the quality and duration of your sleep through sleep therapy. Sleep therapy helps in addressing the negative thoughts on sleep by identifying the cause and behavioural habits that result in those feelings.
Since, sleeping disorders may also result from an existing mental health condition, your specialist will also focus on improving your mental health state too. Your sleep therapist will work on setting and achieving goals, learning relaxation techniques, and cultivating healthier habits in patients, leading to better sleep and improved mood.
Depending on your needs, your sleep therapist may recommend one of the below techniques for you:
Sleep Restriction Therapy: This therapy focuses on restricting the patient from going to bed early, or during certain so that they fall asleep during the right time. Relapse Prevention: Since there is always a chance of patients going into relapse, this form of therapy focuses on relapse prevention. It helps build healthy behavioural habits and practice relaxation techniques to maintain a good sleep cycle. Dark Therapy: Dark therapy helps a patient in falling asleep by limiting exposure to lights including the blue light from digital devices. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - I: CBT-I helps in identifying the thoughts, behaviours, and feelings that might potentially be contributing to the symptoms of a sleep disorder. This form of therapy helps in exploring the connection between the negative thoughts and the sleeping patterns of a patient. Helps in coping with negative thoughts associated with sleep Helps in improving the quality of your sleep Helps in promoting healthy sleeping habits Helps in cultivating a sense of awareness and understanding of sleeping issues and patterns Helps in reducing dependence on sleep medications
Sleep apnea has the potential to be fatal if left untreated or if the condition is severe. During sleep apnea episodes, the individual's breathing stops and starts repeatedly, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the blood. This can put a strain on the heart and other organs, leading to various health complications, including an increased risk of cardiovascular events and accidents due to daytime sleepiness.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or lifestyle changes, the risks associated with sleep apnea can be significantly reduced. If you suspect you have sleep apnea or are concerned about your sleep quality, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance. You can book a consultation with one of the healthcare providers at the Virtual Health Clinic.
On average, a person goes through 4 to 6 sleep cycles in a night. The exact number of sleep cycles needed can vary from person to person, but most adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to feel fully rested and function optimally during the day.
You should consider seeing a sleep specialist if you experience any persistent sleep-related issues or symptoms that disrupt your daily life and well-being. Some of these symptoms can be:
Sleep recommendations can vary depending on age, individual needs, and specific health conditions. Here are the following sleep hours recommended by doctors according to various age groups:
No, you cannot see a sleep therapist near you without a referral. You can book a consultation with one of our doctors at the Virtual Health Clinic. After your consultation with our virtual doctor, and based on your current symptoms and history, a referral to a sleep therapist will be emailed to you or sent to your nearest specialist’s clinic. If you have a valid Ontario health card, the consultation fee with our Healthcare Provider is covered by OHIP. For uninsured patients, the consultation fee is $50 CDN (including all applicable taxes), per visit. Virtual Health Clinic also accepts all major insurance plans where you may be fully covered or have reduced pricing. Please check your coverage with your insurance provider to see if this applies to you.
It is important to note that doctors at the Virtual Health Clinic do not prescribe controlled substances, narcotics, opioids or sleeping aids. There are certain medical conditions and medications that can only be handled in person, not virtually.
