Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2018 - 5

IN FOCUS

Seasonal changes can also have
an impact, as they are strongly related
to changes in mood, which are then
tied to sleep and sleeping troubles.
Once insomnia gets started,
it can quickly take on a life of its own.
According to Dr. Wickwire, insomnia
lasting less than a month, known
as "transient insomnia," typically goes

MORE SLEEP,
LESS SHEEP

away on its own. But if the problem
lingers, he recommends monitoring sleep
patterns and talking with your primary
care physician, or seeking advice from
a sleep disorders specialist.

BETTER SLEEP
IS POSSIBLE

MANAGING INSOMNIA: UM SLEEP DISORDERS
CENTER HELPS PATIENTS GET SOME REST

At the UM Sleep Disorders Center,
we offer a variety of treatment

s a good night's sleep only a dream? Waking up during the night,

options for insomnia. The most

waking up too early, having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep,

effective option is a specific, nondrug

and feeling drowsy during the day are all symptoms of insomnia.

approach called cognitive-behavioral

This most commonly reported sleep disorder often affects overall

treatment (CBT). This structured

health, energy level, mood and even performance at work.

six-session program retrains patients'
bodies and minds to achieve deep,

Insomnia impacts roughly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., and is more likely

restful sleep. CBT also produces lon-

to affect women and older adults, says Emerson M. Wickwire, PhD,
assistant professor of psychiatry and medicine at the University of
Maryland School of Medicine, and director of the UM Sleep Disorders

Emerson M.
Wickwire, PhD

ger-lasting effects than sleeping pills,
without the risks or side effects.
The Center is accredited by the

Center's insomnia program at UMMC Midtown Campus.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine,

THE INSOMNIA ZONE

our sleep system into the insomnia

which ensures that sleep patients

"Insomnia can be a symptom of

zone. Even so, most of the time,

receive the highest quality of care.

an underlying medical or mental

patients are unable to identify any

The accreditation is the gold standard

health condition, or of many com-

single stressor or life event that trig-

by which sleep medicine facilities

mon life stressors," Dr. Wickwire

gered their insomnia."

are evaluated.

says. "Sometimes there are severe
stressors, like loss of a loved one, job
transition and hospitalization. But
there can also be a combination of
ongoing, smaller kinds of chronic
stressors that eventually pushes

GET SOME ZZZZS
Our team of sleep experts, including specialists in pulmonology, neurology, psychology
and psychiatry, dentistry, cardiology and ENT, treat more than 60 recognized sleep disorders. To schedule a sleep consultation in Baltimore City or Columbia, call 410-706-4771.

Find out if you have insomnia. Take our free quiz at umm.edu/midtown/healthy.

umm.edu/midtown | Spring 2018 5

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2018