Insomnia: Time To Get Some Sleep

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is experiencing difficulty in falling asleep and/or staying asleep. It can be a short term (acute) condition which will generally pass without the need of treatment, or it can become a long-term (chronic) problem. Once difficulty in sleeping is experienced for at least three nights per week for three months or more, it is then considered to be a chronic case.

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms associated with insomnia include:

• difficulty in falling asleep;
• waking during the night with difficulty returning to sleep;
• feeling tired when waking in the morning;
• loss of energy or fatigue;
• difficulty concentrating, and;
• feeling irritable, moody or even aggressive.

What Are The Causes?

There are a number of known causes of insomnia. They can be classified as being medical, mood, lifestyle or dietary related. Medical conditions which are often linked to insomnia include: allergies; gastrointestinal problems; endocrine problems (such as hypertension); arthritis; asthma; neurological problems (such as restless leg syndrome and Parkinson’s disease); and pain. Problems with mental health have also been linked to insomnia. Those who suffer from depression or anxiety have a high likelihood of also experiencing insomnia. Lifestyle can also have an affect on sleep. Shift work can cause disruption to the body clock. Those who work late into the night may experience difficulty in unwinding. Regular naps during the day may reduce the need to sleep in the evening.Diet can also play role via in ingestion of stimulants such as caffeine which increase alertness. Heavy meals close to bedtime are also known to affect quality of sleep.