Insomnia treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, you can. The healthcare practitioner or sleep therapist will want to discuss any symptoms or signs of insomnia that you're experiencing, as well as your medical history and sleep habits.

Depending on the situation, the healthcare provider may suggest a physical exam. They may also suggest additional testing, such as a sleep study, in order to provide a clear insomnia diagnosis.

Once the healthcare practitioner is able to provide an insomnia diagnosis, they'll be able to make insomnia treatment suggestions, which are designed to meet your specific needs.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe insomnia medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for insomnia, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Insomnia is a commonly occurring sleep disorder that makes it challenging for you to sleep. This could involve difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too soon and being unable to get back to sleep.

There are two different types of insomnia: primary and secondary.

Primary insomnia is the name for sleep problems that aren't directly linked to other health conditions.

Secondary insomnia refers to sleep problems that are caused by other underlying health conditions.

Insomnia itself is often a symptom of another issue. Even primary insomnia could be the result of lifestyle habits affecting your ability to sleep.

The most commonly occurring associated symptoms or signs of insomnia include:

• Worrying about being unable to sleep
• Waking up too early
• Waking up throughout the night
• Not feeling rested after sleep
• Irritability or mood swings
• Depression or anxiety
• Sleepiness or fatigue during the day
• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Trouble focusing or paying attention
• Difficulty with memory

Primary insomnia is often caused by lifestyle factors that have an impact on sleep. This could include things like:

• Eating too close to bedtime
• Poor sleeping habits or changes in sleep patterns
• Work schedule - shift workers
• Noise, light, or temperature\
• Traveling
• Stress levels
• Traumatic events
• Changes in activity
• Alcohol consumption
• Drug use
• Stimulants (coffee, tea, nicotine, etc.)

On the other hand, secondary insomnia is caused by other underlying conditions. This could include conditions, such as:

• Certain medications
• Heartburn
• Arthritis
• Mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.)
• Sleep-related disorders, like sleep apnea
• Chronic pain conditions (arthritis, back problems, etc.)
• Respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, etc.)
• Cancer
• Endocrine problems like hyperthyroidism

There are factors that can increase the risks of experiencing insomnia, including:

• Being over the age of 60
• Being a woman
• Having a rotating work schedule
• Having mental health or physical conditions that are known to cause insomnia in some people
• Chronic, high levels of stress in daily life

Before offering an insomnia diagnosis, your healthcare provider will want to discuss the severity of the insomnia symptoms you're experiencing, as well as your medical history. The healthcare provider will also want to know about your regular sleep habits, and may want to perform a physical exam.

If the healthcare practitioner believes that you could be experiencing secondary insomnia, they may suggest additional testing to identify any underlying conditions that could be causing your insomnia. This will involve whatever testing is typically involved with diagnosing the underlying condition that’s believed to be present.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may order a sleep study if they're unable to provide you with a clear insomnia diagnosis. This may help provide a diagnosis for certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.

Once your healthcare practitioner is able to provide you with a diagnosis for your insomnia, they'll be able to recommend insomnia treatments that will address your specific needs.

It can be challenging to find insomnia treatments that will work for you. Your healthcare provider will likely suggest trying natural treatment methods, before suggesting prescription insomnia medications.

There are a number of natural insomnia treatments they may suggest, including:

• Sleep restriction
• Relaxation techniques
• Stimulus control therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Remaining passively awake (also called paradoxical intention)
• Light therapy
• Avoiding stimulants
• Changes in dietary habits or meal times
• Reducing or avoiding alcohol and drug use

When these lifestyle changes and therapies are ineffective, your healthcare provider may sometimes suggest cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. Alternatively, they may suggest prescription insomnia medications, or a combination of both treatments.

However, prescription insomnia medications can have negative side effects, can be habit forming, and carry an increased risk of death. It's not recommended to rely on these types of medications for long-term use, unless instructed to do so by your healthcare team.

Everyone has difficulty sleeping occasionally. However, if you've been experiencing severe insomnia symptoms, or chronic signs of insomnia, it's a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.

While insomnia is sometimes caused by your lifestyle, it can be the result of underlying conditions that may require treatment. A healthcare practitioner from Maple will be able to make appropriate recommendations, so that you can determine the cause of your insomnia.

Insomnia can have a huge impact on our mental health and daily life. You don't have to manage insomnia alone. Get the help you need from Maple so you can get back to feeling rested.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners and specialists via secure text, audio or video call. Sign in to your Maple account to start a visit. Learn more about how Maple works here.

A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Paediatric care: covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Privacy is at the core of how we deliver care. We follow Canadian privacy and healthcare laws, including PIPEDA and PHIPA, to protect your personal and health information.

Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.