Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. It include wide range of sleep disorders, from lack of quantity of sleep to lack of quality of sleep. There are two types of insomnia primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition [like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn] ; pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using like alcohol.
Causes of insomnia
Insomnia may be caused by a host of different reasons. These causes may be divided into situational factors , medical or psychiatric conditions, or primary sleep problems. Insomnia could also be classified by the duration of the symptoms into transient, short-term, chronic. Transient insomnia generally last less than seven days; short-term insomnia usually lasts for about one to three weeks, and chronic insomnia lasts for more than three weeks.
Many of the causes of transient and short-term insomnia are similar and they include-
Uncontrolled physical symptoms [fever, pain, breathing problems, nasal congestion, cough, diarrhea etc ] may also cause someone to have insomnia.
Causes of long-term or chronic insomnia
The majority of chronic or long-term insomnia are usually linked to an underling psychiatric or physiologic condition.
Psychological causes of insomnia
The most common psychological problems theses may lead to insomnia include:
Physiological causes of insomnia
Physiological causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. The following are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:-
Symptoms of insomnia
Doctors associate a variety of signs and symptoms with insomnia. Often the symptoms intertwine with those of other medical or mental conditions.
Some people with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night. The problem can begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem can become chronic.
Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:
Many people with insomnia don't complain of daytime sleepiness, and in fact, they may have difficulty falling asleep during intentional daytime naps.
Treatment of insomnia
In general, transient insomnia resolves when the underlying trigger is removed or corrected. Most people seek medical attention when their insomnia becomes chronic.
The main focus of treatment for insomnia should be directed towards finding the cause. Once a cause is identified, it is very important to manage and control the underlying problem, as this alone may eliminate the insomnia all together. Treating the symptoms of insomnia without addressing the main cause is rarely successful. Chronic insomnia can cured in the majority of causes if its medical or psychiatric causes are evaluated and treated properly.
The following therapies can be used in conjunction with therapies directed towards the underlying medical or psychiatric cause. They are also the recommended therapies for some of the primary insomnia disorders.
Usually, treatment of insomnia entails both non-medical and medical aspects. It is best to tailor treatment for individual patient based on the potential cause. Studies have shown that combining medical and non-medical treatments typically is more successful in treating insomnia than either one alone.
Causes of insomnia
Insomnia may be caused by a host of different reasons. These causes may be divided into situational factors , medical or psychiatric conditions, or primary sleep problems. Insomnia could also be classified by the duration of the symptoms into transient, short-term, chronic. Transient insomnia generally last less than seven days; short-term insomnia usually lasts for about one to three weeks, and chronic insomnia lasts for more than three weeks.
Many of the causes of transient and short-term insomnia are similar and they include-
- Jet lag
- Changes in shift work
- Uncomfortable room temperature
- Excessive or unpleasant noise
- Stressful situation in life
- Withdrawal from drug, alcohol, sedative, or stimulant medications
- Insomnia related to high altitude(mountains)
Uncontrolled physical symptoms [fever, pain, breathing problems, nasal congestion, cough, diarrhea etc ] may also cause someone to have insomnia.
Causes of long-term or chronic insomnia
The majority of chronic or long-term insomnia are usually linked to an underling psychiatric or physiologic condition.
Psychological causes of insomnia
The most common psychological problems theses may lead to insomnia include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress [mental, emotional, etc.]
- Schizophrenia
- Mania [bipolar disorder]
Physiological causes of insomnia
Physiological causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. The following are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:-
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Congestive heart failure
- Acid reflux disease[GERD]
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]
- Nocturnal asthma [asthma with night time breathing symptoms]
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Brain tumors, strokes, or trauma to the brain
Symptoms of insomnia
Doctors associate a variety of signs and symptoms with insomnia. Often the symptoms intertwine with those of other medical or mental conditions.
Some people with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night. The problem can begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem can become chronic.
Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:
- Poor concentration and focus
- Difficulty with memory
- Impaired motor coordination [being uncoordinated]
- Irritability and impaired social interaction
- Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers.
Many people with insomnia don't complain of daytime sleepiness, and in fact, they may have difficulty falling asleep during intentional daytime naps.
Treatment of insomnia
In general, transient insomnia resolves when the underlying trigger is removed or corrected. Most people seek medical attention when their insomnia becomes chronic.
The main focus of treatment for insomnia should be directed towards finding the cause. Once a cause is identified, it is very important to manage and control the underlying problem, as this alone may eliminate the insomnia all together. Treating the symptoms of insomnia without addressing the main cause is rarely successful. Chronic insomnia can cured in the majority of causes if its medical or psychiatric causes are evaluated and treated properly.
The following therapies can be used in conjunction with therapies directed towards the underlying medical or psychiatric cause. They are also the recommended therapies for some of the primary insomnia disorders.
Usually, treatment of insomnia entails both non-medical and medical aspects. It is best to tailor treatment for individual patient based on the potential cause. Studies have shown that combining medical and non-medical treatments typically is more successful in treating insomnia than either one alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment