Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder that has affected millions of people worldwide , causing them problem in falling or staying asleep . In a long run , it may lead to major health issues . Mood swings, irritability, and anxiety are its common associated symptoms. It commonly leads to daytime sleepiness and lethargy among people .
Facts About Insomnia
There are many possible causes of insomnia.
An estimated 30-40 percent of Americans report experiencing insomnia each year.
Often, insomnia is due to a secondary cause, such as illness or lifestyle.
Causes of insomnia include psychological factors, medications, and hormone levels.
Treatments for insomnia can be medical or behavioral.
In INDIA there are about 10 million cases per year .
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Insomnia can be caused by physical and psychological factors. There is sometimes an underlying medical condition that causes chronic insomnia, while transient insomnia may be due to a recent event or occurrence.
Disruption in sleep-wake cycle ( circadian rhythm ) : High altitudes, environmental noise, extreme heat or cold.
Medical Conditions : acid-reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sleep apnea, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, brain lesions, tumors, stroke.
Psychological issues : anxiety disorders, or psychotic disorders , depression .
Hormones – estrogen, hormone shifts during menstruation.
Other factors – sleeping next to a snoring partner, genetic conditions, overactive mind, pregnancy.
Media technology in the bedroom
Several small studies in adults and children have suggested that an exposure to light from televisions and smartphones prior to going to sleep can affect natural melatonin levels and lead to increased time to sleep.
In addition, a study conducted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that backlit tablet computers can affect sleep patterns. These studies suggest that technology in the bedroom can worsen insomnia, leading to more complications.
Some Medication that can cause INSOMNIA
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the following medications can cause insomnia in some patients:
corticosteroids
statinsalpha blockers
SSRI antidepressants
ACE inhibitors
ARBs (angiotensin II-receptor blockers)
cholinesterase inhibitors
second generation (non-sedating) H1 agonists
Symptoms might include :
Difficulty falling asleep at night.
Waking during the night.
Waking earlier than desired.
Still feeling tired after a night’s sleep.
Daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
Irritability, depression, or anxiety.
Poor concentration and focus.
Being uncoordinated, an increase in errors or accidents.
Tension headaches (feels like a tight band around head).
Difficulty socializing
TYPES
It includes a wide range of sleeping disorders, from lack of sleep quality to lack of sleep quantity. Insomnia is commonly of three types:
Transient insomnia – occurs when symptoms last up to three nights.
Acute insomnia – also called short-term insomnia. Symptoms persist for several weeks.
Chronic insomnia – this type lasts for months, and sometimes years. According to the National Institutes of Health, the majority of chronic insomnia cases are side effects resulting from another primary problem.
TREATMENT
Some types of insomnia resolve when the underlying cause is treated or wears off. Once identified, this underlying cause can be properly treated or corrected.In addition to treating the underlying cause of insomnia, both medical and non-pharmacological (behavioral) treatments may be used as therapies.
Medical treatments for insomnia include:
HOME REMEDIES | HOME TREATMENTS
These might include :
Improving “sleep hygiene”: Not sleeping too much or too little, exercising daily, not forcing sleep, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine at night, avoiding smoking.
Using relaxation techniques: Examples include meditation and muscle relaxation.
Stimulus control therapy – only go to bed when sleepy. Avoid watching TV, reading, eating, or worrying in bed. Set an alarm for the same time every morning , avoid log daytime naps .
Sleep restriction: Decreasing the time spent in bed and partially depriving the body of sleep can increase tiredness.
RISK FACTORS :
Insomnia can affect people of any age , but is commonly observed in adult females only than adult males . It can undermine school and work performance, as well as contributing to obesity, anxiety, depression, irritability, concentration problems, memory problems, poor immune system function, and reduced reaction time.
travelers, particularly through multiple time zones
shift workers with frequent changes in shifts (day vs. night)the elderly
users of illegal drugs
adolescent or young adult students
pregnant women
menopausal women
person with mental disorder
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