Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. While occasional sleepless nights are normal, chronic insomnia can take a serious toll on mental, emotional, and physical health. Poor sleep is linked to fatigue, impaired concentration, mood swings, and a higher risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, Kimberley Shine, MD, provides comprehensive treatment for insomnia using an integrative and functional medicine approach. Instead of simply masking symptoms, Dr. Shine works to identify and address the underlying causes of poor sleep to help patients achieve restorative rest and long-term wellness.
Causes and Risk Factors
Insomnia often develops from a combination of lifestyle, medical, and psychological factors. Common causes include:
- Stress and Anxiety: Racing thoughts or chronic stress interfere with the ability to relax.
- Hormone Imbalances: Fluctuations in cortisol, thyroid, or sex hormones may affect sleep.
- Chronic Pain or Illness: Conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease can disrupt rest.
- Poor Sleep Habits: Irregular schedules, screen use before bed, or heavy meals late at night.
- Medications and Stimulants: Certain prescriptions, caffeine, or alcohol may interfere with sleep cycles.
- Mental Health Conditions: Depression, anxiety, and other disorders are often linked with insomnia.
Identifying these triggers is essential for creating personalized, effective treatment.
Symptoms of Insomnia
Insomnia presents differently for each patient, but common symptoms include:
- Trouble falling asleep at night
- Waking frequently or too early
- Feeling unrefreshed despite adequate time in bed
- Daytime fatigue or excessive sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Increased reliance on caffeine or stimulants
When these symptoms persist for weeks or months, they may indicate chronic insomnia that requires professional care.
How Insomnia Is Diagnosed
At Shine Health and Wellness, diagnosis begins with a detailed evaluation to uncover the underlying causes of insomnia. This may include:
- Medical History and Exam: Reviewing sleep patterns, lifestyle habits, and overall health.
- Sleep Questionnaires: Tools to measure sleep quality and severity of insomnia.
- Laboratory Testing: Checking for thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or hormone imbalances.
- Functional Medicine Testing: Assessing stress levels, gut health, and systemic inflammation that may impact sleep.
- Collaborative Care: Referral to sleep specialists for advanced sleep studies, as needed.
This comprehensive approach ensures that treatment addresses not only surface-level symptoms but also the underlying causes.
Treatment Options for Insomnia
Insomnia treatment at Shine Health and Wellness is tailored to each patient’s needs and may include:
- Lifestyle Counseling: Improving sleep hygiene, setting consistent routines, and reducing screen time.
- Stress Management: Relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or counseling to calm an overactive mind.
- Nutritional Support: Identifying food triggers and recommending diets that support restful sleep.
- Hormone Balancing: Addressing cortisol, thyroid, or sex hormone disruptions that contribute to insomnia.
- Supplements: Natural options such as magnesium or melatonin when appropriate.
- IV Nutrition Therapy: Delivering essential vitamins and minerals to improve energy and reduce fatigue.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular check-ins to track progress and adjust treatment as needed.
By addressing the root causes, patients can experience more consistent and restorative sleep.
Why Choose Shine Health and Wellness?
Kimberley Shine, MD, brings more than a decade of experience in family medicine and a deep commitment to integrative care. She believes in developing strong doctor-patient relationships, listening carefully to each patient’s concerns, and creating treatment plans tailored to individual needs. Her functional medicine training allows her to identify and treat the underlying causes of insomnia, offering a more sustainable path to wellness.
Reclaim Restful Sleep
Insomnia can disrupt every part of your life, but with expert care, lasting relief is possible. At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Kimberley Shine and her team provide personalized treatment plans that restore balance and help you enjoy restorative, consistent sleep. Call 626-317-0207 today to schedule a consultation.