Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep.The disease can be severe and chronic. It may also appear and disappear.Severe insomnia can last anywhere from one night to several weeks. Insomnia is considered chronic if it occurs at least three times a week for three months.
Apart from insomnia, there are other sleep-related disorders such as; sleep apnea, which is symptomized by frequent difficulty in breathingand disruptingsleep. Unpleasant sensations identify Restless Legs Syndrome of one’s legs and an almost irresistible push to move it, which may hinder one from falling asleep.Other sleeping problems are caused by intake patterns of Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
What are the Symptoms of Insomnia?
How do you know that one is experiencing insomnia? These are some of the signs to look out for:
- Having trouble sleeping at night
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Getting up very early in the morning
- Feeling unwell after a good night’s sleep
- Tiredness or drowsiness during the day
- Anger, depression, or anxiety are all symptoms of irritability
- Paying attention, focusing on tasks, or remembering is difficult
- Errors or accidents have increased
- Frequent worries about sleep.
Types of Insomnia
These are the most common five types of insomnia;
- Acute insomnia – this is severe
- Chronic insomnia – when it now becomes a condition
- Onset insomnia- this is at the early stages
- Maintenance insomnia – appears regularly
- Behavioral insomnia of childhood.- caused by children’s behaviors
Causes of Insomnia
Different issues cause chronic and severe insomnia. In some cases, insomnia is a symptom of another underlying condition.Chronic insomnia can be caused by a variety of daily human activities, including:
- Depression from work, education, health, finances, or family worries can keep the mind busy at night, making it difficult to sleep.
- Insomnia can also be caused by stressful life events or traumatic events, such as the death or illness of a loved one, the end of a marriage, or termination of employment.
- Travel or work obligations. Circadian rhythms act as an internal clock that controls your sleep cycle, body, and temperature. Causing your body’s circadian rhythms to be disrupted can lead to loss of sleep. Flying in multiple time zones, working late or early, or changing shifts frequently is the cause of lack of sleep.
- Unusual bedtime schedules such as restless sleep and using the bed for work, eating, or watching TV are all examples of bad sleep habits. Before going to bed, avoid using computers, televisions, video games, smartphones, or other screens.
- Eating too much at night. It is good to eat junk food before dinner, but eating too much can make you physically uncomfortable while you sleep. Heartburn, or the flow of acid and food from the stomach to the throat after a meal, is common and may keep you awake.
Chronic insomnia can also be connected to medical issues or certain medications.Although treating a medical problem may be helpful for sleep, these are long-term and lifestyle diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and others.Insomnia becomes more common with age. As you grow older, you may find:
- Changes in sleeping routines. Sleep happens to be a little more relaxing as one age. Hence noise or other disruptions in their environment will probably awaken them. As people grow older, they easily get fatigued and arise very early in the morning. Unfortunately, older people still require an equal quantity of sleep as young people.
- Changes in the workplace and routines. Older people may no longer be physically strong and are forced to retire. Not working anymore interferes with a good night’s sleep. Moreover, if they are not moving very well or not active, they may be able to get a few naps each day, which frequently disrupts sleep at night.
- Changes in life with old age complications such as arthritis or back problems and depression frequently interfere with sleep. Problems that increase the demand to urinate at night – such as prostate or bladder problems – also tamper with sleep. Sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are more common with age.
- Additional medications resulting from old age increase the risk of drug-induced insomnia.
Insomnia In Children And Adolescents
Children and adolescents might suffer from sleep issues as well. However, one research by Malow, et al. (2012)., reported a possibility of eradication of insomnia in children, adults, and autistic children when a proper diagnosis is given. because their internal clocks are so far behind, some children and teenagers have trouble sleeping or resisting a regular bedtime routine. They prefer to sleep in later and get up later in the morning.
Insomnia Diagnosis And Treatment
Research by Benca, (2005). showed a review of the treatment of chronic insomnia even in prevalent rates. The diagnosis of insomnia and the search for its explanation may include the following, depending on your situation:
- Examination of the body if the cause is not known. The physical examination may include a blood test.
- Examination of sleeping habits through a questionnaire or sleep-related questions.
- Sleep research is conducted if the cause is already known and trying to figure out another cause. Here, one might be required to sleep at a sleep center.
Treatment of insomnia may include;
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps with doing away with habits and thoughts that will prevent one from sleeping.
- ● Prescription medications are long-term pills prescribed by doctors to improve one’s sleep after researching the cause of their insomnia.
- Over-the-counter aids comprise non-prescribed pills, which in most cases are antihistamines that make one drowsy.
Conclusion
Sleep insomnia is a very serious issue that should not be taken lightly or ignored by a majority of the population. Rather people should be keen to observe insomnia symptoms as stated in our article and identify the kind of sleep insomnia they are experiencing or visit a doctor to diagnose them. After which, proper treatment should be sought. By doing this, most people will escape the effects of sleep insomnia in their daily lives.It is important to note that most sleep insomnia medications have side effects. Therefore many precautions should be taken while taking those pills.
References
Benca, R. M. (2005). Diagnosis And Treatment Of Chronic Insomnia: A Review. Psychiatric Services, 56(3), 332-343.
Malow, B. A., Byars,
K., Johnson, K., Weiss, S., Bernal, P., Goldman, S. E., … & Glaze, D. G.
(2012). A Practice Pathway For The Identification, Evaluation, And Management
Of Insomnia In Children And Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pediatrics, 130(Supplement_2), S106-S124.
Sleep specialist
Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health - depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.
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