The underlying cause of this can be insomnia – a sleep disorder characterized by an inability to sleep or staying asleep. The condition is often triggered by psychological, environmental or medical factors like stress, anxiety, sleep apnea, etc.
According to an estimation of CDC (Centre of Disease Control and Prevention), approximately 60 to 70 million adolescents suffer from insomnia in the world. Though sleep deprivation is common in people, the repercussions of insomnia can be very serious in terms of affecting vital organs and system of the body. CDC further linked poor sleep with:
- Impair judgment
- Deplete energy
- Weak memory
- Mood swings
- Irritability
Aside from this, the consequences of insomnia involve other chronic health issues like obesity, depression, diabetes, and heart diseases. Knowing how destructive this sleep disorder can be, it is crucial to surface some of itsmajor causes. Here, we’ve covered different causes of insomnia for you.
What Causes Insomnia?
Psychological Issues
Psychotic, bipolar, anxiety disorders and depression are some of the common psychological issues that can lead to insomnia.
Disturbance in Circadian Rhythm
Insomnia can be caused by a disruption in your circadian rhythm – a biological process of your brain that maintains your sleep cycle, also known as the sleep/wake cycle. Reasons like, jet lag, high altitudes, extreme temperatures, job shift and environmental noise can contribute to disrupting circadian rhythms.
Medical Conditions
People suffering from diseases like brain lesions, congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, Alzheimer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more likely to become a victim of insomnia.
Hormones
Hormonal changes in the body at different stages of life can also be the reason for insomnia.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia includes multiple sleeping disorders and is commonly compartmentalized in the following types.
1. Transient insomnia
It refers to the condition when symptoms of insomnia last up to more than three nights.
2. Acute insomnia
It refers to short-term insomnia in which symptoms last up to more than 4 weeks.
3. Chronic insomnia
This refers to the most severe stage of the disease that persists for several years.
How Can You Identify Insomnia?
You are suffering from insomnia if you experience the following symptoms:
- Find it difficult to fall asleep
- Wake up on and off during sleep
- Feel tired, fatigued even after taking night sleep
- Often have a headache
- Feel disoriented and uncoordinated
- Have depression and anxiety
- Have gastrointestinal symptoms
- Feel difficulty in socializing
How Can You Treat the Condition
Generally, the treatment depends on determining the underlying causes of insomnia. Besides treating the underlying cause, following behavioral and medical therapies can be used.
- Use of antidepressant
- Sleeping pills (if recommended)
- >Relaxation techniques (muscle relation or meditation)
- Stimulus control therapy- going to bed only when feeling sleepy