Why Insomnia Is More Than Just Trouble Sleeping: Causes, Treatment, and When to See a Houston Sleep Doctor

CSMA Team
Dec 2
3 min read

Most people think of insomnia as simply “not being able to sleep,” but the truth is far more complex. Insomnia affects millions of people—and yet it is one of the most misunderstood sleep disorders.

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At Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA), we see patients every week who have tried every over-the-counter supplement or TikTok sleep hack without success. The reason? They were only treating the symptom, not the root cause.

Proper insomnia treatment begins with understanding the deeper mechanisms behind it.

What Is Insomnia—Really?

Insomnia is a clinical sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking up too early and being unable to return to sleep.

But underneath those symptoms can be:

Hormonal changes
Sleep apnea
Anxiety or stress disorders
Circadian rhythm disruption
Restless legs syndrome
Poor sleep hygiene
Neurological changes
Undiagnosed Airway Issues

That’s why insomnia is rarely solved by melatonin alone. If the underlying cause isn't addressed, your sleep, and overall health, will never improve.

Common Symptoms of Insomnia

You may be dealing with true insomnia if you experience:

Lying awake for long periods
Waking up multiple times at night
Early-morning awakenings
Daytime fatigue
Trouble concentrating
Heightened irritability
Mood changes

Chronic insomnia requires clinical evaluation and treatment by a clinical sleep specialist —not guesswork.

Common Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia isn’t always caused by a racing mind or a noisy bedroom—often, the root of the problem hides beneath the surface. At CSMA, we see that many patients struggle for years without realizing what’s truly disrupting their sleep. Understanding the actual underlying cause is the first step toward meaningful, long-term relief.

Below are some of the most commonly overlooked contributors to insomnia and why identifying them early can completely change the course of your sleep health.

Some of the most overlooked causes include:

1. Sleep Apnea: Many patients snore or wake up repeatedly throughout the night due to breathing interruptions they don't notice.

2. Anxiety or Stress: The brain stays in “alert mode,” preventing deeper sleep.

3. Neurological Disorders: Conditions like epilepsy or parasomnias can fragment sleep architecture.

4. Hormonal Shifts: Women experiencing menopause or postpartum changes often struggle with insomnia.

5. Medications or Substance Use: Certain prescriptions, caffeine, and alcohol can disrupt the natural sleep cycle.

How Houston Sleep Doctors at CSMA Treat Insomnia

Treating insomnia isn’t about handing out a prescription and hoping for the best—it’s about uncovering what’s really driving the problem and addressing it with precision. At CSMA, our Houston sleep doctors use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach designed to restore healthy, sustainable sleep patterns.

By combining medical expertise with personalized care, we help patients move beyond temporary fixes and toward lasting relief. Here’s how our team approaches insomnia treatment with both depth and intention.

We take a comprehensive approach that includes:

Identifying underlying neurological or airway issues
Personalized treatment plans
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
Medication when appropriate
Sleep hygiene coaching
Stress and lifestyle modifications

Our goal is to restore natural sleep—not just medicate symptoms.

When to See a Houston Sleep Doctor

If insomnia lasts more than two weeks or begins impacting daily life, it’s time to seek help.

Especially seek a specialist if you experience:

Frequent nighttime awakenings
Mental fog during the day
Snoring or gasping
Restless legs
Mood swings
Chronic stress
Suspected apnea
Continual unfreshed sleep

Left untreated, insomnia can increase the risk of depression, heart disease, and immune dysfunction.

Houston & Austin Patients Deserve Real Answers

At CSMA, we provide the level of expertise that most general practices cannot. Whether your insomnia is caused by stress, hormones, apnea, or neurological factors, our team helps you uncover the real cause—so you can finally get the restorative sleep your body needs.