Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia can be defined as “the perception or complaint of inadequate sleep”. That is, in fact, how the National Institute of Health describes insomnia which affects millions of people worldwide. In fact, most people have suffered from insomnia at some point in their lives but it is the people who are chronic insomniacs that have the hardest time dealing with this condition. The most common people affected by insomnia are pregnant women, elderly people and menopausal women (due to hormonal imbalances).
Lifestyle, mental health and physical disorders are the three main causes of insomnia.
Lifestyle
If your lifestyle is busy and hectic, then chances are, you are stressed. This stress can stop you sleeping simply because your brain is too active. Your diet also plays a huge part here.
Mental Health
Mental health conditions that cause insomnia include stress, anxiety, depression and more. Things like grief, schizophrenia, panic disorder and psychiatric conditions can play havoc with sleeping patterns. You should see a doctor if you think any of these are affecting you.
Physical Health
If you are physically unhealthy then this can drastically affect your sleeping patterns. Overweight people may find it harder to sleep all night just as people with certain conditions find it difficult to sleep.
A small example of the conditions which can cause insomnia include:
Sleep apnea
Restless leg syndrome
Arthritis
Asthma
Parkinson’s diseases
Hyperthyroid
Fibromyalgia kidney disease
Rhinitis
Other causes of insomnia can include your sleeping environment. If your bed is uncomfortable, there is too much light, buzzing appliances or even a certain fragrance is in the air, this can affect your sleep! You should try to eliminate any bedroom “distractions” before sleeping.
Certain medications can also cause insomnia. These can include:
Decongestants
Bronchodilators
Anti hypertensives
Anti depressants
Diuretics
Thyroid medications
Histamine H2 inhibitors
If you are taking any of the above medication types and believe it is causing insomnia then you should speak to your doctor about alternative medications.
Lack of sleep eventually leads to chronic fatigue and a general reduction of your quality of life due to the fact you are always tired. There are many products on the market which aim to improve your sleep without medication. Hypnosis and various techniques have worked very well for some people. Others simply find a change of environment, change of work hours or even a change of diet can improve their sleep and reduce or eliminate insomnia.
