Insomnia

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this project is for students to develop a comprehensive understanding of insomnia as a sleep disorder, including its biological basis, causes, diagnosis, treatment options, risk factors, and the role of nurses in management and patient education. This assignment will enhance students research, critical thinking, and academic writing skills.

Assignment Description

Students are required to write a formal research paper on Insomnia that covers the following key components:

Required Sections (Must be included in your paper):1. Introduction

• Define insomnia in your own words.
• Explain why insomnia is an important health issue.
• Include a clear thesis statement about what your paper will discuss.

2. Anatomy of Insomnia (How sleep works in the body)

Discuss the biological basis of sleep, including:

• The brain structures involved in sleep (e.g., hypothalamus, pineal gland, reticular activating system).
• The stages of sleep (NREM and REM).
• What goes wrong in the body/brain in people with insomnia (e.g., hyperarousal, disrupted circadian rhythm).

3. Causes of Insomnia

Explain different causes of insomnia, including:

• Psychological causes (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress).
• Medical causes (e.g., pain, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea).
• Lifestyle/behavioral causes (e.g., caffeine use, irregular sleep schedule, screen time).
• Medication-related causes (if applicable).

4. Diagnosis of Insomnia

Describe how insomnia is diagnosed, including:

• Clinical diagnosis (sleep history, sleep diary, symptoms).
• When a sleep study (polysomnography) might be needed.
• Difference between acute and chronic insomnia.

5. Statistics of Insomnia

Include:

• How common insomnia is (prevalence).
• Which populations are most affected (e.g., women, older adults, shift workers).
• Any relevant trends or public health impact.

6. Treatment of Insomnia

A. Medical (Medication) Treatments

Discuss the following medications:

• Melatonin how it works, benefits, limitations.
• Trazodone why it is used for sleep, benefits, side effects.
• Seroquel (Quetiapine) why it is sometimes used, risks, and why it is not first-line.

Compare these medications briefly (which is safer, which is stronger, potential risks).

B. Non-Medical (Traditional) Treatments

Discuss:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) why it is the gold standard.
• Sleep hygiene practices (consistent bedtime, dark room, limiting caffeine, etc.).
• Relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation).
• Any herbal or alternative approaches (optional, brief).

7. Risk Factors for Insomnia

Identify and explain major risk factors such as:

• Age, gender, stress, mental health conditions, shift work, caffeine use, chronic illness, trauma history.

8. Role of Nurses in Insomnia Care

Explain how nurses contribute to patient care, including:

• Assessing sleep patterns and contributing factors.
• Educating patients about sleep hygiene and healthy habits.
• Monitoring medication effects and side effects.
• Advocating for non-medication approaches like CBT-I.
• Creating a sleep-friendly environment in hospitals.

9. Conclusion

Summarize:

• What insomnia is.
• Why proper diagnosis and treatment are important.
• The importance of nursing care in managing insomnia.

Sources / Resources Requirement

All sources must be scholarly and published within the last 5 years (2019present). Your reference list should include a mix of the following:

• A textbook (anatomy, physiology, nursing, or sleep medicine).
• Peer-reviewed journal articles related to insomnia, sleep science, or nursing care.
• Reputable organization or government sources such as WHO, CDC, NIH, or AASM.

Students are also encouraged to include nursing-focused sources related to sleep assessment, patient education, or clinical care.

All sources must be cited in APA 7th edition format. Wikipedia, blogs, and non-scholarly websites are not allowed.