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GeneralInsomnia: Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders affecting more than 30% of the population, wherein the sufferers have difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. An insomniac patient may still feel tired when they wake up. Insomnia can not only sap your energy levels and mood but also your health, physical and cognitive performance as well as the quality of life.

The condition can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Acute insomnia may last from a single night to a few weeks. Chronic insomnia is when it occurs at least three nights a week for three months or more.

It may also come and go occurring in occasional bouts of sleeplessness.

Types of insomnia:

  1. Primary insomnia: In this case, your sleep problems aren’t related to any underlying health condition.
  2. Secondary insomnia: In this case means sleep issues are caused because of a health condition like arthritis, cancer, asthma, depression, or heartburn; pain; medications; or substance use.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

  • Difficulty falling asleep at night
  • Frequently waking up throughout the night
  • Waking up too early
  • Not feeling well-rested after waking up
  • Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
  • Irritability, anxiety, or depression
  • Struggle at work, school, or in relationships.
  • Difficulty concentrating, focusing, or remembering.
  • Increased errors or accidents
  • Ongoing worries about sleep

What causes insomnia?

Various things can contribute to the development of insomnia, including environmental, psychological, and physiological factors, including:

  1. Stress-related to major life events, like a job loss or change, the death/loss of a loved one, divorce, or shifting residency.
  2. Things around you such as noise, light, or temperature
  3. Changes to your sleep schedule like jet lag, changes in shift at work.
  4. Unhealthy lifestyle including irregular sleep timings, unhealthy foods, and substance use (drugs, alcohol, nicotine)
  5. Depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD or other mental health issues.
  6. Chronic diseases like diabetes or cancer.
  7. Chronic pain due to fibromyalgia, arthritis, or other conditions.
  8. Hormone fluctuations due to thyroid disease, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, etc.
  9. Medications for depression, colds, allergies, high blood pressure, and asthma.
  10. Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease.
  11. Gastrointestinal disorders, such as indigestion (dyspepsia) or heartburn.
  12. Other sleep disorders, including sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.

What are the risk factors for insomnia?

Almost everyone has sleepless nights occasionally. But your risk of suffering from insomnia is greater if:

You don’t have a regular sleep schedule. For instance, changing shifts at work or traveling can disrupt your routine and sleep cycle.

You’re under a lot of stress. Stressful events and times can contribute to temporary insomnia. Major or long-lasting stress may cause chronic insomnia.

You suffer from mental or physical health condition can impact and disrupt sleep.

You’re a woman. Hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause, or pregnancy may play a huge role.

You’re over the age of 60. Because of changes in health and sleep patterns, insomnia increases with age.

Your genetics. Research has found that a tendency for insomnia may be passed down to children as it runs in families.

Treatment for insomnia:

Short-term insomnia generally gets better on its own. However, for chronic insomnia, your healthcare adviser may recommend:

1. Medications:

Behavioural and lifestyle changes can best help improve sleep problems in the long run. In some cases, though, sleeping pills give a head start and can help them sleep for a short time. Some of the most commonly prescribed sleeping pills are Zopiclone, Zolpidem, Trazodone, etc. Amongst the available medications, Zopiclone is the most frequently prescribed for treating short term insomnia in many countries, especially in the New Zealand. You can buy Zopiclone online using a valid doctor’s prescription from legit online pharmaceutical stores.

2. Melatonin supplements:

Melatonin is a naturally found chemical (hormone) in our body that promotes sleep. Some people make use of melatonin supplements as a sleep aid to regulate the production of the hormone and thereby regulate sleep.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Insomnia:

This therapy is a brief, structured treatment for insomnia that helps sufferers identify and modify thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that may cause or worsen sleep issues with habits that promote sound sleep. Unlike other sleeping aids, CBT-I helps them overcome the root (underlying) causes of your sleep problems.

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