What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder that makes sleep challenging for you and you remain unable to sleep properly. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being unable to get back to sleep again.
Types of Insomnia
There are two different types of insomnia: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia.
Primary insomnia: It refers to sleep problems that are not directly related to other health conditions, psychiatric or environmental causes.
Secondary insomnia: It refers to sleep problems that are caused by some other underlying health conditions such as mental disorders, or other sleep problems.
Depending upon the severity, insomnia can be acute or short-term insomnia or chronic insomnia.
Acute/ short term Insomnia
Acute/short-term insomnia is a brief episode of difficulty in sleeping that is caused by stressful events in life such as the death of a loved one, change in relationship or job, withdrawal of a drug, etc. This is also called adjustment insomnia.
Acute/short-term insomnia usually lasts for less than three months and its symptoms fade away with time as soon as a person overcomes the stress. However, short-term insomnia can be prolonged and become persistent, and turn to chronic insomnia.
Chronic Insomnia
If a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at least three nights per week for three consecutive months or longer then he/she might be suffering from chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is most common among women as compared to men.
Chronic insomnia can also be due to stressful life events but some other factors can contribute to chronic insomnia such as irregular sleep patterns, poor sleep hygiene, persistent nightmares, mental health disorders, underlying physical or neurological problems, medications, a bed partner, etc.
Chronic insomnia can be a risk factor for developing anxiety and depression as for a healthy mind and body a peaceful sleep is vital.
Symptoms of insomnia
Insomnia itself is a symptom of some health-related issues, some of the common signs or symptoms associated with insomnia include:
- Being unable to sleep and worrying about it
- Waking up too early
- Staying up throughout the night
- Not feeling rested after sleep
- Irritability or mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
- Sleepiness or fatigue during the day
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Trouble focusing or paying attention
- Difficulty with memory
Causes of Insomnia
Primary insomnia is often caused by changes that occur in our lifestyle and such changes have a direct impact on our sleep. The factors that have an impact on our sleep pattern are:
- Eating at bedtime
- Poor sleeping habits or changes in sleep patterns
- Work schedule or alternate work shifts
- Noise, light, temperature, or other environmental disturbances
- Traveling
- Stress
- Traumatic events
- Alcohol consumption
- Drugs / medications
- Stimulants (coffee, tea, nicotine, etc.)
On the other hand, secondary insomnia is associated with some underlying conditions. This could include conditions, such as:
- Heartburn
- Arthritis
- Anxiety or depression
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic pain conditions (arthritis, back problems, etc.)
- Respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, etc.)
- Cancer
- Endocrine problems like hyperthyroidism
There are some factors that can contribute to insomnia, including:
- Overage (i.e., >60 years )
- Being a woman
- Rotating work schedule
- Having mental health or physical conditions that are known to cause insomnia in some people
- Chronic, high levels of stress in daily life
Diagnosis of Insomnia
To make a diagnosis for insomnia, your healthcare provider might ask you some questions regarding your regular sleep habits, your sleeping schedule, and also the severity of symptoms that you are experiencing. He/she might do a physical analysis as well.
If the insomnia is secondary insomnia your healthcare provider might ask you for some tests to determine the underlying cause of insomnia and will act accordingly.
If your healthcare provider is unable to make a clear diagnosis then he/she might order a sleep study to make a clear decision regarding your condition.
Once a clear diagnosis will be made then your healthcare provider will be in a better position to recommend some treatment for your insomnia and that treatment will surely address your specific needs.
Treatment of Insomnia
Certain types of insomnia can be treated by making some lifestyle changes, such as:
- Sleep restriction i.e. wakes up at the same time each day and limiting naps.
- Restrict the use of alcohol and stimulants such as nicotine, caffeine, etc.
- Exercise regularly
- Do not eat or drink at bedtime
- Make your sleeping environment comfortable
- Reduce stress and let go of all the worries
- participate in cognitive therapy
When such lifestyle modifications and cognitive therapy do not help then your healthcare prescriber will prescribe you sleep medications that will be helpful if used properly.
When to see a doctor for insomnia?
Almost every other person has difficulty in falling asleep and is struggling somewhere in his/ her life. But if you’ve been experiencing severe insomnia symptoms or chronic signs of insomnia, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.
Insomnia can have a huge impact on our mental health and our daily life. You don’t have to manage insomnia alone as we are here for you. You can get help that you need from sleep moments so you can get back to feeling rested.
Reference Links
Zhang, B., & Wing, Y. K. (2006). Sex differences in insomnia: a meta-analysis. Sleep, 29(1), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/29.1.85
Bjorøy, I., Jørgensen, V. A., Pallesen, S., & Bjorvatn, B. (2020). The Prevalence of Insomnia Subtypes in Relation to Demographic Characteristics, Anxiety, Depression, Alcohol Consumption and Use of Hypnotics. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 527. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00527
Neckelmann, D., Mykletun, A., & Dahl, A. A. (2007). Chronic insomnia as a risk factor for developing anxiety and depression. Sleep, 30(7), 873–880. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/30.7.873
Sateia M. J. (2014). International classification of sleep disorders-third edition: highlights and modifications. Chest, 146(5), 1387–1394. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.14-0970