The causes of insomnia cover a wide range
of possibilities, including jet lag, health problems, pain and even insomnia
medications. No matter what the causes of insomnia, however, the symptoms of
insomnia tend to have similar effects.
Symptoms of Insomnia
All of us have difficulty getting to sleep at some point in our lives. An
occasional period of sleep disruption doesn't necessarily warrant a visit to
the doctor's office for an insomnia diagnosis. The following symptoms indicate
possible insomnia:
- difficulty falling asleep at night
- inability to get adequate sleep at night
- feeling tired after sleep
- waking up at early hours
- waking up through the night.
Again, anyone can experience these symptoms of insomnia periodically. When the
symptoms listed above become severe enough, they result in additional symptoms
that affect people during their waking hours, including:
- daytime sleepiness
- depression
- diminished performance at school or work
- fatigue
- impaired alertness
- impaired concentration
- irritability
- muscle aches.
you can read also : Disorders Related to Insomnia
People suffering from symptoms of insomnia may find themselves falling asleep
at work, while watching television or while driving. Rates of car accidents are
higher than normal amoung night-shift workers, a group who are at a high risk
for symptoms of insomnia.
Quality, Quantity and Insomnia Symptoms
Some people are surprised to find they have symptoms of insomnia when
they're sleeping through the night. Quality of sleep is just as important as
quantity of sleep: some insomnia causes disrupt deep sleep, leaving people
tired even though they have no difficulty falling asleep.
Causes of Insomnia
Many causes of insomnia exist. In fact, insomnia is usually considered a
symptom of some other condition, rather than a condition itself. Depending on
individual circumstances, any of the following insomnia causes could result in
symptoms of insomnia.
Age
As people age, symptoms of insomnia become more common. Aging brings a
tendency to need less sleep, and also to have less restful sleep. Many of the
health conditions that are causes of insomnia become more common with age,
increasing the risk of insomnia symptoms.
Women entering menopause often develop sleep disturbances. The hot flashes
common to menopause can wake women up at night, disrupting sleep and causing
insomnia.
Men may develop an enlarged prostate as they age. Enlarged prostates result in
more frequent nocturnal urination, which disrupts sleep.
Health Conditions
Physical conditions are some of the most common causes of insomnia. Any
conditions that result in pain or discomfort are potential insomnia causes,
including conditions as diverse as arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), asthma, cancer and muscle sprains.
A full list of health conditions that result in symptoms of insomnia would go
on for pages. If you have symptoms of insomnia, report any existing health
conditions to your doctor.
Mental Health Insomnia Causes
Depression and anxiety are often associated with symptoms of insomnia.
Insomnia is, in fact, one of the most common warning signs of depression.
Determining whether depression causes insomnia or whether pre-existing insomnia
causes depression can be challenging. If insomnia is causing depression, the
root cause of the sleep disturbance must be found for successful treatment.
Anxiety disorders are also causes of insomnia. A person with anxiety disorders
may lie awake worrying, or may suffer from busy, uncontrolled thoughts that
prevent sleep.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse often results in symptoms of insomnia, but even small
amounts of legal substances can disrupt sleep. Caffeine and nicotine are both
stimulants and too much of either in the evening will cause insomnia.
Alcohol is a depressant, and initially makes people drowsy. However, as
alcohol's effects wear off, sleep tends to be disrupted, so symptoms of
insomnia may develop after a few hours of sleep.
Even eating can cause insomnia. Eating a large meal in the evening can make
people feel uncomfortable when they lie down to sleep.
Lifestyle and Insomnia Causes
Disruptions in daily schedules, night shift work and travel can result in
symptoms of insomnia. People who work night shifts have difficulty adjusting
their bodies' circadian rhythm, or internal clock, to sleeping during the day.
Jet lag is one of the most famous temporary causes of insomnia. Traveling
across several time zones disrupts the circadian rhythm, and it can take days
for symptoms of insomnia to subside as the body readjusts.
Medication and Insomnia
Many medications are listed as causes of insomnia. Resolving symptoms of
insomnia can be as simple as changing a medication. Side effects of
antidepressants and high blood pressure medication include symptoms of
insomnia, as do a long list of other prescription medications.
Over the counter medications can also cause insomnia. Many non-prescription
pain medications contain caffeine or other stimulants that can disrupt sleep,
as can decongestants and weight loss medication.
Antihistamines are known for their ability to make people drowsy, but they can
also cause insomnia. Antihistamines stimulate urination, which can disrupt
nighttime sleep patterns.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders, by their very nature, disrupt normal sleeping habits.
Possible causes include:
- teeth grinding (bruxism)
- bedwetting
- narcolepsy
- night terrors
- parasomnias
- periodic limb movement disorder
- restless leg syndrome
- sleep paralysis.
Stress
Stress is a common insomnia culprit. A family death, serious illness, job
loss or any other stressor can cause anxiety and worry, leaving people lying
awake at night.
Behavioral insomnia describes insomnia caused by worrying about being able to
get to sleep. In such circumstances, symptoms of insomnia become the stressor
that causes insomnia.
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