Everything you need to know about insomnia.
“Insomnia”
is a sleep disorder that regularly affects millions of
people around the world. In short, individuals with insomnia face habitual
sleeplessness. The effects can be devastating.
is a sleep disorder that regularly affects millions of
people around the world. In short, individuals with insomnia face habitual
sleeplessness. The effects can be devastating.
Deciding Factors
After
reading this, one can easily decide whether a person is suffering from insomnia or
not. Most people sleep a lot in the daytime and so when they are unable to
sleep at night they think that they are suffering from insomnia. But that is
not true at all.
reading this, one can easily decide whether a person is suffering from insomnia or
not. Most people sleep a lot in the daytime and so when they are unable to
sleep at night they think that they are suffering from insomnia. But that is
not true at all.
Thought-provoking facts about insomnia:-
There are many causes of insomnia.
- An
estimated 30-40% of Americans report experiencing
insomnia each year.
· Insomnia
is due to a secondary cause, such as a bad lifestyle of a person
is due to a secondary cause, such as a bad lifestyle of a person
· Treatments
for insomnia can be medical or behavioral &
psychological.
for insomnia can be medical or behavioral &
psychological.
Causing Factors
- Insomnia
can be caused by environmental and psychological factors. There
is sometimes hidden medical condition that causes chronic insomnia, while
transient insomnia may be due to the latest event or occurrence.
Main causes of
insomnia include:
insomnia include:
Disruptions in circadian rhythm – jet lag, job timing changes, high
elevations, environmental buzz, extreme heat or cold.
Psychological issues – bipolar anarchy, depression,
distress disorders.- Medical
conditions – constant pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure,
angina, acid-reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
asthma, sleep apnea, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases,
hyperthyroidism, arthritis, brain lesions, tumors, stroke.
· Hormones
– estrogen shifts.
– estrogen shifts.
Other factors – sleeping next to a snoring ally, parasites, genetic
conditions, overthinking mind, pregnancy.
Mobile phones, laptops, tablets in
the bedroom
Several
small studies in adults and children have suggested that exposure to light from
televisions and smartphones before going to sleep can affect natural melatonin
levels and lead to increased time to sleep.
small studies in adults and children have suggested that exposure to light from
televisions and smartphones before going to sleep can affect natural melatonin
levels and lead to increased time to sleep.
Also,
a study conducted found that laptops can affect sleep patterns. The studies
suggest that a form of technology in the bedroom can worsen insomnia, leading
to more complexities.
a study conducted found that laptops can affect sleep patterns. The studies
suggest that a form of technology in the bedroom can worsen insomnia, leading
to more complexities.
Medications
According
to research, the following medications can cause insomnia in some patients
to research, the following medications can cause insomnia in some patients
corticosteroids
statins
alpha-blockers
beta-blockers
SSRI antidepressants
ACE inhibitors
ARBs (angiotensin II-receptor blockers)
cholinesterase inhibitors
second-generation (non-sedating) H1 agonists
glucosamine/chondroitin
Signs and symptoms
Insomnia itself may be a symptom of a hidden medical condition. However, some
many signs and symptoms are linked with insomnia:
Difficulty to sleep at night.
Waking up during the night.
Waking earlier than desired.
Still feeling tired and low
after a night’s sleep.
Daytime lethargy.
Irritability, depression, or stress.
Poor attention and focus.
Headaches because of any extreme tension or stress.
Difficulty socializing.
Gastrointestinal symptoms.
Worrying about sleeping.- Sleep
deprivation can also cause other symptoms. The afflicted person may wake
up not feeling fully awake and refreshed and may have a sensation of
tiredness and lethargy throughout the day.
- Having
problems paying attention to tasks is common for people with insomnia.
According to an Institute, 20 percent of non-alcohol related car crash
accidents are caused by driver lethargy and improper sleep.
Types
Insomnia
is commonly divided into three types:
is commonly divided into three types:
- Transient
insomnia – occurs when symptoms stay up to three nights. - Acute
insomnia or short-term insomnia – Symptoms lasts for several weeks. - Chronic
insomnia – this type lasts for several months, and sometimes years. According
to the Institutes of Health, the majority of chronic insomnia cases
are side effects resulting from another primary problem.
Behavioral Treatments
Good sleep, including avoiding cell phones and laptops
before bed, can help treat insomnia.
Some types of insomnia resolve when the hidden cause
wears off. Insomnia treatment mainly focuses on
determining the cause.
Once identified, this hidden cause can
be properly treated.
be properly treated.
· In
addition to treating the hidden cause of insomnia, both medical and behavioral
treatments may be used as therapies.
addition to treating the hidden cause of insomnia, both medical and behavioral
treatments may be used as therapies.
- Behavioral
approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in
one-on-one counseling sessions.
Medical treatments
Medical
treatments for insomnia include:
treatments for insomnia include:
sleeping pills or anti-depressants
sleep aids available online or over-the-counter
antihistamines
melatonin, which can be purchased online.
Home remedies
Home
remedies for insomnia include:
remedies for insomnia include:
Improving “sleep hygiene”: Not sleeping too
much or too little, daily exercise, maintaining a regular sleep schedule,
avoiding caffeine at night, avoiding smoking, avoiding going to bed
hungry, and ensuring a comfortable sleeping environment.- Using
relaxation techniques: Examples include yoga and
muscle relaxation. - Stimulus
control therapy means you only go to bed when sleepy. Avoid watching TV,
excess use of mobile phones, reading, eating, or worrying in bed. Set an
alarm for the same time every morning even on weekends and avoid long
daytime naps.
Diagnosis
- The
asleep specialist will start by asking questions about the individual’s
medical history and sleep and wake cycles. - A physical
exam may be conducted to look for possible hidden conditions.
The doctor might screen for various disorders and drug and alcohol use.
“The term insomnia is often used to refer to disturbed or
improper sleep.”
improper sleep.”
For a diagnosis of insomnia, disturbed
sleep should last for a month or so. It should also negatively affect the
patient’s health, either through the causing anxiety or
disturbing mood or performance. The patient may be asked to keep a sleep diary
to help them to diagnose.
sleep should last for a month or so. It should also negatively affect the
patient’s health, either through the causing anxiety or
disturbing mood or performance. The patient may be asked to keep a sleep diary
to help them to diagnose.