Insomnia is the inability to fall or stay asleep; it is accompanied by fatigue, malaise, and difficulty with performance during wakefulness and may be mild, moderate, or severe. It may be transient, lasting a few days or months (primary insomnia), and related to travel across time zones or caused by acute stress, or very commonly inadequate “sleep hygiene.” Sleep hygiene simply refers to behavioral and environmental practices that are intended to promote better-quality sleep (e.g., avoiding all-nighters and caffeine late in the evening). Chronic insomnia lasts at least 3 months and can be idiopathic, start at an early age, and be associated with drug or alcohol abuse, chronic pain disorders, chronic depression, the use of certain drugs, obesity, aging, genetics, and environmental factors that result in hyperarousal.69
Question: A 50-year-old office worker with complaints of difficulty staying asleep, waking multiple times at night, and feeling fatigued and irritable during the day. She identifies high levels of work-related stress and irregular bedtime routines. Which intervention is most appropriate based on the physiologic effects of insomnia described in the textbook? A. Prescribe a stimulant to increase alertness, B. Recommend stress management strategies and consistent sleep hygiene, C. Increase caffeine intake in the morning, D. Advise ignoring the symptoms and maintaining current routines