Insomnia
Medical Center
Sleep Program
1 South Prospect Street
Arnold, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-3456
Insomnia is a condition that prevents you from falling asleep or staying asleep. The resulting sleep loss can be significant and affect your entire day. The experienced team at The University of Vermont Medical Center's comprehensive Sleep Center is specially trained to diagnose and treat your insomnia so you can sleep again.
Insomnia: What You Need to Know
Teamwork
Our multidisciplinary team includes sleep medicine-certified physicians and skilled technicians, along with physicians specially trained in neurology, pulmonary disease, otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat, or ENT), mental health and pediatrics. Our team approach ensures that you receive the most comprehensive care possible for your insomnia.
Personalized Care
The UVM Medical Center doctors tailor a course of treatment specifically for you. Your treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of your insomnia, the possible causes, and your general health.
Experienced, Trusted Expertise
The UVM Medical Center has the only Sleep Center in Chittenden County that is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, considered the gold standard in the field of sleep care. This accreditation shows that a sleep center maintains the highest standards of care. In addition, you benefit from the clinical and teaching excellence and research-based expertise found only at an academic medical center.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a significant lack of high-quality sleep. It can be short-term or chronic. Insomnia may be caused by stress, a change in time zones or sleep schedule, poor bedtime habits, or an underlying medical or psychiatric condition.
Symptoms include:
- Difficulty falling asleep despite being tired
- Requiring sleeping pills or alcohol to fall asleep
- Awakening frequently during the night or lying awake in the middle of the night
- Awakening too early in the morning despite not feeling refreshed
- Daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability
Diagnosing Insomnia at The UVM Medical Center
If your inability to sleep is ruining your quality of life, your doctor may refer you to our Sleep Center for evaluation. The diagnostic tests our sleep experts perform there include:
- Consultation - During a 40-60 minute consultation, we will discuss your sleep problem, your medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. This consultation will help us determine if an overnight sleep study or other medical tests are necessary.
- Sleep Study - If the cause of your insomnia is still unclear after your consultation, your doctor may conduct a comprehensive sleep study. We use sleep studies to monitor brain activity, eye movements, muscle tone, heart rate and rhythm, and breathing pattern while you sleep.
Treatment for Insomnia in Burlington, VT
In most cases, insomnia can be helped by:
- Improving bedtime habits
- Relieving stress
- Relaxation exercises
- In some cases, certain medications may be prescribed
Find a doctor or specialist at The UVM Medical Center or call 802-847-5338.