Insomnia Symptoms
ALthough there are many symptoms of insomnia that are obvious, such as difficulty in falling asleep and staying asleep, sometimes the sleep interruptions can go almost unnoticed, or at least are not remembered.
Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Typical daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:
Poor concentration and focus
Difficulty with memory
Impaired motor coordination
Irritability and impaired social interaction
Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers
Long term sleep deprivation can also cause depression and other serious emotional and mental disturbances, and/or mood & behavior changes.
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Causes Of Insomnia: Common Psychological Causes
Although there are many physical causes that can case insomnia, psychological issues are probably the most common cause of sleep problems for the average person.
The most common psychological problems include anxiety, stress, and depression.
Insomnia may also be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness.
Who Is At Risk For Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common disorder. One in 3 adults occasionally has insomnia. One in 10 adults has chronic insomnia. Insomnia affects women more often than men, and it can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people. People especially prone to insomnia include those who are:
Under a lot of stress
Depressed or who have other emotional distress
Working at night or having frequent major shifts in their work hours
Traveling long distances with time changes (jet lag)
Types Of Insomnia
There are two types of insomnia: the most common type is called secondary insomnia. More than 8 out of 10 people with insomnia are believed to have secondary insomnia. Secondary means that the insomnia is a symptom or a side-effect of some other problem, such as these common contributing factors:
- Medicines that delay or disrupt sleep as a side-effect
- Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that affect sleep
- Certain illnesses, such as some heart and lung disease
- Pain, anxiety, and depression
- Another sleep disorder, such as restless legs syndrome; a poor sleep environment; or a change in sleep routine
In contrast, primary insomnia is not a side-effect of medicines or another medical problem. It is its own disorder, and generally persists for least 1 month or longer.
Causes of Insomnia: Common Physical Causes
There are many possible causes of insomnia. Insomnia may result from either psychological or physical causes.
Physiological causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. Following are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:
Chronic pain syndromes
Congestive heart failure
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease (Often insomnia is the deciding factor for nursing home placement.)
Insomnia Treatment At Home
Insomnia Treatment: Setting The Stage for A Good Night’s Sleep!
There are a number of simple things that are often very beneficial in overcoming temporary insomnia, once you have determined that there is no underlying medical cause that may require a specific medical treatment:
1) Exercise regularly.
Aerobic exercise and general fitness are important to maintaining good health.
You should exercise in the early part of the day and avoid strenuous activity before bedtime.
2) Avoid large meals and excessive fluids before bedtime.
3) No caffeine products within 3 hours of bedtime (this means no coffee, non-herbal teas, chocolate, or sodas before bedtime!)
4) Control your environment.
Light, noise, and elevated room temperature can disrupt sleep. Shift workers and night workers especially must address these factors. Your body’s circadian rhythm (biological clock) is particularly sensitive to light. Parents who need to sleep during the day may have to make child care arrangements to allow them to sleep.
Natural Insomnia Treatments
Have insomnia? Chances are you have probably tried a lot of different things to get a good night’s sleep, but for me personally, I have tried to take the natural route whenever possible rather than going the prescription drug route.
Personal preference, but I have battled insomnia since childhood and I have had more long term success with no side effects with natural insomnia treatments than with the doctor’s prescriptions.
Herbs For Insomnia
Herbal remedies have long been popular and there are several that are commonly used and widely available:
Valerian has long been used as a natural sleep aid to cure insomnia. It is widely available over the counter and packaged by many major reputabel companies. You can choose to take it in capsule form, or as a tea. As a tea, it is often mixed with other herbs, such as peppermint, as the taste can take a bit to get used to.
Overview Of Insomnia
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a condition in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. many people with insomnia may initially fall asleep easily but don’t stay asleep, waking up within a few hours of falling asleep, while others may have trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep.
Regardless of the symptoms of insomnia, the end result is poor-quality sleep, which if left untreated, can pose a threat to your health.
Overview
Insomnia is a very common health problem. It can cause lack of energy, inability to concentrate or think clearly, excessive daytime sleepiness, and mood swings.??Long-term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable; have trouble paying attention, learning, and remembering. Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family, job or career.
