Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or difficulty in staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed the next morning.
Insomnia can be caused by psychiatric and medical conditions, unhealthy sleep habits, specific substance and certain biological factors.
Causes of Insomnia
- Stress and anxiety
- A poor sleep environment
- Lifestyle factors
- Mental health conditions such as depression
- Physical health conditions
Medical Causes of Insomnia
There are medical conditions whether mild or serious that can lead to insomnia. These medical conditions causes discomfort which make it difficult to fall asleep.
Examples
- Nasal/sinus allergies
- Gastrointestinal problems such as reflux
- Endocrine problems such as hyperthyroidism
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Low back pain
Insomnia can also be a symptom of underlying sleep disorders. For example, restless leg syndrome: a neurological condition in which a person has an uncomfortable sensation of needing to move his or her legs.
Sleep Apnea is another sleep disorder linked to insomnia. The person’s airway becomes partially completely obstructed during sleep and it pauses the breathing and drop in oxygen levels.
If you have trouble sleeping on a regular basis. It is advised that you review your health and lifestyle to see if there is an underlying medical issues and disorders which can contribute to your sleep problems.
How long do I have to sleep?
The general standard sleep duration is between six to eight hours at night. You can work with that.
What can I do?
You can help yourself have a good night sleep if you have insomnia by doing the following:
- Set regular time for going to bed and waking up
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or heavy meals few hours before bedtime
- Avoid watching TV or using your electronic gadgets (phones, laptops) at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime
- Don’t take long naps during the day
- Make a list of worries and ideas before going to bed. Writing them down will help relieve you
I hope this helps.
Have you ever had Insomnia? How did you deal with it? You can share with me in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to not miss a post.
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