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Insomnia
Home » Common Ailments » Sleep Disorders » InsomniaInsomnia is often characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. However, insomnia can manifest itself in other ways as well, such as waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep, waking up too early in the morning and having trouble going back to sleep, and waking up in the morning feeling tired. There are two types of insomnia. Primary insomnia is when a person is having sleep problems that are not related to any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia is when a person's sleep problems are caused by a health condition or problem such as asthma, depression, arthritis, heartburn, etc., or by pain, medication the person is taking, or a substance they are using, such as alcohol. Insomnia can also be acute (short-term) or chronic (long lasting). Acute insomnia can last anywhere from one night to a few weeks; chronic insomnia is when a person suffers for at least three nights a week for a month or longer.
Causes of insomnia have many contributing factors. Here are some causes of acute insomnia:
• significant life stress (job change, move, divorce, death of a loved one)
• illness
• emotional or physical discomfort
• environments that are not conducive to sleep (noise, light, uncomfortable temperature)
• some medications (usually those used to treat colds, allergies, depression, asthma, and high blood pressure)
• interference in normal sleep schedule (vacation, time zone change, switching from day to night shift)
Causes of chronic insomnia include:
• depression
• anxiety
• chronic stress
• pain or discomfort at night
Symptoms of insomnia include overall fatigue, irritability, and problems with concentration or memory. If you think you have insomnia, your doctor may evaluate you by means of a physical exam, medical history, sleep history, and sleep diary. Your doctor may also wish to speak with your spouse or sleep partner about your sleeping habits. You may also be asked to visit a sleep center for tests.
If you have acute insomnia, you probably won't require treatment. Practicing good sleep habits can help you. These habits can be found in the "Sleep Well!" section. If you have chronic insomnia, treatment begins with treating the health conditions or problems that are causing the insomnia. Behavioral therapy can also be an effective treatment, as it helps you change your insomnia-increasing behaviors and learn new behaviors to help you sleep.
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