Insomnia : Sleep Disorder

What is insomnia?

Insomnia includes a wide range of sleeping disorders, from lack of sleep quality to lack of sleep quantity. Insomnia is commonly separated into three types:

• Transient insomnia- occurs when symptoms last up to three nights.
• Acute insomnia- also called short-term insomnia. Symptoms persist for several weeks.
• Chronic insomnia- this type lasts for months, and sometimes years.

According to the national institutes of health, the majority of chronic insomnia cases are side effects resulting from another primary problem.

Insomnia can affect people of any age; it is more common in adult females than adult males. The sleeping disorder can undermine school and work performance, as well as contributing to obesity, anxiety, depression, irritability, concentration problems, memory problems, poor immune system function, and reduced reaction time.

Insomnia has also been associated with a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. According to the national sleep foundation, 30-40 percent of american adults report that they have had symptoms of insomnia within the last 12 months, and 10-15 percent of adults claim to have chronic insomnia

Causes of insomnia

Insomnia can be caused by physical and psychological factors. There is sometimes an underlying medical condition that causes chronic insomnia, while transient insomnia may be due to a recent event or occurrence. Insomnia is commonly caused by:

• Disruptions in circadian rhythm- jet lag, job shift changes, high altitudes, environmental noise, extreme heat or cold.
• Psychological issues- bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, or psychotic disorders.
• Medical conditions- chronic 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 and estrogen, hormone shifts during menstruation.
• Other factors- sleeping next to a snoring partner, parasites, genetic conditions, overactive mind, pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms of insomnia

Insomnia itself may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. However, there are many signs and symptoms that are associated with insomnia:

Difficulty falling asleep at night. Waking during the night. Waking earlier than desired. Still feeling tired after a night's sleep. Daytime, fatigue or sleepiness. Irritability, depression, or anxiety. Poor concentration and focus. Being uncoordinated, an increase in errors or accidents. Tension headaches (feels like a tight band around head. Difficulty socializing. Gastrointestinal symptoms. Worrying about sleeping.

Sleep deprivation can cause other symptoms. The afflicted person may wake up not feeling fully awake and refreshed, and may have a sensation of tiredness and sleepiness throughout the day.

Having problems concentrating and focusing on tasks is common for people with insomnia. According to the national heart, lung, and blood institute, 20 percent of non-alcohol related car crash injuries are caused by driver sleepiness

Non-pharmacological approaches and home remedies for insomnia include:

• Improving "sleep hygiene"- not sleeping too much or too little, exercising daily, not forcing sleep, 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- such as meditation and muscle relaxation.
• Cognitive therapy- one-on-one counseling or group therapy.
• Stimulus control therapy- only go to bed when sleepy. Avoid watching tv, reading, eating, or worrying in bed. Set an alarm for the same time every morning (even weekends) and avoid long daytime naps.
• Sleep restriction- decrease the time spent in bed and partially deprive the body of sleep, this increases tiredness ready for the next night.

Medical treatments for insomnia include:

Prescription sleeping pills anti-depressants over-the-counter sleep

Who gets insomnia?

Some people are more likely to suffer from insomnia than others; these include:

Travelers - particularly through multiple time zones shift workers with frequent changes in shifts (day vs. Night) the elderlydrug users adolescent or young adult students pregnant women menopausal women those with mental health disorders.