For many years, insomnia was treated only in a physical doctor’s office, but those times are gone. Technology has enabled healthcare providers to effectively treat insomnia online. It’s imperative to know when you should call an online medical provider for insomnia. 

Online insomnia treatment is similar to treatment offered in a physical doctor’s office. Call an online provider if:

• Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Are having trouble functioning.
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding, on drugs, or suffering from severe mental health problems. 

If you want to know more about when you should call an online consultant for insomnia treatment, continue reading. We will go over all of the situations in which an online doctor could be a good resource, as well as those that require in-person treatment.

When an Online Insomnia Doctor Can Help

If you have been avoiding insomnia treatment because you don’t want to go to a physical office, you’re not alone. Many people put off treatment for insomnia simply because they can’t find the time to get to a sleep treatment center. Others are not able to find childcare. 

The good news is that an online medical provider may be able to treat you from the comfort of your home. There are several factors that determine when you should seek online help. 

You Have Symptoms of a Sleep Disorder

You should call an online doctor for insomnia if you are exhibiting symptoms of a sleep disorder. The hallmark symptoms of insomnia include: 

• Trouble falling asleep. This is one of the most common symptoms of insomnia. If you often find yourself unable to wind down and drift off, this is a sign that you could benefit from professional intervention. 
• Difficulty staying asleep. You may not always have trouble falling asleep, but if you can’t stay asleep once you drift off, this is another symptom of insomnia. You may wake for no reason or with minimal outside stimulation. 
• Waking up during the night. If you regularly wake up for no reason at night, insomnia may be at play. 
• Waking up early when you don’t mean to. If you’re an early bird, no matter how much you try to sleep in, you could be dealing with insomnia. 
• Being unable to fall back asleep after being roused at night. It is normal to wake up in the middle of the night if something wakes you up, but if you aren’t able to fall asleep again afterward, this is abnormal and is a sign of insomnia.

If you call an online provider for insomnia and you are displaying any of these symptoms, you and your provider can begin taking steps to get you some relief. VirtualWalkinCenter.com can help you with your insomnia difficulties. 

You Feel the Effects of Not Sleeping Well

If you’re suffering from insomnia, you won’t wake up feeling refreshed. You could feel groggy or run down, instead. When you don’t get enough hours of sleep, your body will not be able to adequately repair itself. This leads to secondary symptoms. 

Some typical secondary symptoms that can develop as a result of insomnia include: 

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Weight gain

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you could benefit from online insomnia treatment sooner rather than later. It is crucial that you get help with your sleep issues before your symptoms worsen. An online sleep doctor can help you manage your insomnia and reduce its negative effects on your body and life. 

When an In-Person Consultation is Best

Not everyone who exhibits insomnia symptoms is a good candidate for online insomnia treatment. Many doctors won’t see patients online if they meet any of the following criteria. 

You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

Many online providers will not see pregnant women for insomnia treatment due to potential complications that could arise with certain treatment methods. Medical professionals don’t want to be responsible for negative reactions in an unborn baby or a breastfeeding infant.

For that reason, doctors who prescribe medicated sleep aids often avoid prescribing them to pregnant or breastfeeding women and recommend that they receive in-person treatment.

If you can locate an online specialist that does cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you may be able to receive treatment. This is because cognitive behavioral therapy is not medicine-based. 

You Are on Drugs

If you are using drugs, you will benefit from seeing a doctor in-person for insomnia treatment. There are likely many substances at play, which makes a physical visit safer for you. 

You Are Dealing with Serious Mental Health Problems

Someone who is dealing with severe mental health problems should see someone in person. Some mental conditions that may warrant in-person treatment include: 

• Severe depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder

An in-person visit will enable your provider to get a deeper understanding of your issues and to be able to monitor you during treatment adequately. 

How Online Doctors Treat Insomnia

Online medical providers take calculated steps to treat insomnia. They start by getting to know you. Developing a professional working relationship may require requesting medical records from your primary care physician or other medical professionals you’ve seen. They take tedious notes of every pertinent detail.

Once the provider is familiar with you and your medical history, they determine which treatment type would best fit you.

There are several ways that online doctors treat insomnia, but the most common methods are through: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of talk therapy in which you and a qualified doctor talk about obstacles to adequate sleep and solutions to help you sleep better. 
• Medication (both prescription and over the counter) – Many medicines are used to help patients with insomnia. The medication that your provider will choose for you depends on your medical history and the intricacies of your sleep issues. 
• Helping you change your sleep habits: There are many behavioral and habitual things that you can change to improve your sleep quality, and online professionals are well-equipped to help you with that. 
• Teaching you how to relax: Relaxation techniques are often used to teach patients how to relax before attempting to drift off for the night. A qualified online medical provider can teach you the best techniques in the comfort of your home. 

After beginning treatment, your online doctor will track your progress and adjust the treatment plan if necessary. Once your insomnia is controlled, you may make a choice to stop treatment and manage your sleeping habits on your own.  

For Connecticut residents only: According to Public Act No. 18-148, as long as your online provider reviews your medical history, is appropriately licensed, and gives you the same standard of care that you’d receive in an in-person setting, they can legally treat you online.  

What Helps You Sleep if You Have Insomnia?

In addition to seeking professional treatment for the disorder, there are some things that you can do to help reduce the severity of insomnia symptoms. The following sections will outline all of the remedies that you can try.

Get on a Schedule 

Getting your body used to going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day is important when fighting insomnia. You can get your body ready for sleep by doing the following: 

• Turning off the lights a half hour before your bedtime.
• Listening to soothing sounds or music to put your mind at ease. 

It’s equally important to help your body get ready for the day. You can do that by: 

• Grabbing a cup of water first thing in the morning. 
• Utilizing an alarm clock with a wake-up light to help your brain get into wake mode. 

Exercise Regularly

Something as simple as getting active every day or so can help with insomnia. The type of exercise that you do will depend on your age and fitness level. If you are older, you can take a walk around the block shortly after waking up for the day or do a low-impact workout. For younger folks, a 15-minute aerobic workout is sufficient. 

Always consult your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen. 

Drink Some Tea

Millions swear by the insomnia-related benefits of drinking tea. But not just any tea will do! Utilize chamomile tea has been found to show benefits with sleep difficulties. These teas are known for helping people fall asleep and stay asleep. But keep in mind that these teas do not work for everyone. 

Final Thoughts

Now you know when to call an online medical provider for insomnia, along with other helpful information that you can use to improve your sleep. We hope that this article is helpful to you as you seek professional treatment for your sleep troubles.