When people say that they have trouble sleeping; the first thing that comes to our mind is that they may have insomnia. Amongst the various sleeping disorders, insomnia is one of the most common conditions that affect many people. At some point of our lives, we all have trouble falling asleep; however, that does not mean that we are insomniacs.
If you have trouble sleeping occasionally, it does not mean that you have insomnia. A person is diagnosed with this condition when they have problem sleeping for weeks, months and even years. In such cases, they need to ensure that they meet a specialist as soon as possible.
The different types of Insomnia
There are two main reasons why a person may be termed as an insomniac. The first type of insomnia AKA as Primary insomnia means that there is no specific reason why the person cannot sleep. This kind of sleeping disorder is not linked to any medical condition or health concerns.
On the other hand, if a person has health issues like heartburn, cancer, arthritis, depression or asthma; then they can develop Secondary insomnia. This type of insomnia also affects those who take medicines regularly. Even people who are heavy drinkers have issues sleeping.
Different factors that lead to insomnia
Consumption of drugs, alcohol or too much of caffeine
Drugs, alcohol or too much of caffeine are addictions that can cause sleeping issues. People who addicted to coffee, alcohol or drugs often think that such substances will help them to sleep. This is not true, in reality these substances disturb the sleeping patterns of the body, which leads to insomnia.
Stress
While some may be having problems at work, some may be going through a bad time in their personal life. Divorces, loss of a loved one, joblessness are some of the reasons that can lead to stress. Stress not only affects your health but also causes sleeping issues. When a person is stressed out, he or she starts over thinking, which in turn affects his/her, sleep.
Mental and Emotional disorders/problems
People who are prone to anxiety, fear, acute stress or depression often face sleeping issues. Such issues affect the quality of life and leads to various other health concerns and conditions including Insomnia.
Regular Medications
Some medicines have side effects like constant cough, excessive urination, headaches/migraines etc. These sorts of effects also affect the sleeping pattern of a person. They may have issues falling asleep or may wake up multiple times during the night.
Adjustment to a new lifestyle/Work Schedule
The body clock is tuned to ensure that it gets sufficient amount of rest. However, things can go haywire when there is a drastic change in the lifestyle. People who are constantly travelling to various parts of the world often face sleeping issues. Even those who are used to working during the day and suddenly shift to nighttime working hours have problems sleeping.
Personality changes due to Insomnia
A person’s personality can change drastically due to insomnia. Not only do they develop mood swings, they also tend to be depressed. They feel drowsy throughout the day and often have problems focusing on their work. These things do not happen overnight because generally the misconception is that their moodiness or change in personality is just a passing phase.
A few tips to help you overcome Insomnia
Treating insomnia is a gradual process, which requires a lot of efforts. Even if you are seeing a specialist, here are some useful tips to help you overcome Insomnia
- Do not take long naps during the day as it becomes difficult for you to sleep at night. If you feel tired, take a 10-minute break and meditate. This will help to boost your energy level as well as calm your mind down.
- Avoid eating a heavy dinner, instead you can eat small frequent meals throughout the day. This will help to improve your overall help and reduce digestion issues.
- Avoid smoking, drinking or having drugs an hour or two before you sleep
- A warm bath, listening to some soothing music or reading a book can help you fall asleep.
About the Author
Carol James has MA degree in social science and is a professional writer and senior editor. She writes on a variety of topics and also spends time answering the questions her readers have. You can even get in touch with her if you want to find help with your essay on EssayLab.
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