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Insomnia is a condition that affects many people and can have different causes. In this post, we will take a look at the some of the different types of insomnia and various causes of insomnia.
What are the different types of Insomnia?
There are three different terms of insomnia. Transient is when you cannot sleep well for a week or less. Short-term insomnia is defined as sleeplessness for a period of one week to tour weeks. The final type is known as chronic insomnia which is deficient sleep for over a month.
What are the main causes of insomnia?
There are two different root causes on insomnia.
- Health or psychiatric conditions
- Situational cases
Health or psychiatric conditions
One of the most common psychological causes of insomnia is anxiety. It is estimated that 30-40% of people who suffer from insomnia have an anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorders often have difficulty sleeping because they worry a lot about things and can’t turn their thoughts off at night. They may also experience physical symptoms such as racing heart, shortness of breath or dizziness that make it difficult to fall asleep.
Another common psychological cause of insomnia is depression. Up to 75% of people who suffer from depression also have problems sleeping. This may be due to the fact that depressed people often have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, experience a lot of negative thoughts or wake up frequently during the night.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are also common psychological causes of insomnia. People with these disorders often have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to the manic or psychotic symptoms of these conditions.
While most cases of insomnia are not caused by psychological problems, it is important to rule out any mental health issues if you are having trouble sleeping.
Chronic fatigue or pain are syndromes that lead to physiological insomnia. Heart problems like congestive heart failure or night time angina can be a cause of insomnia. Acid reflux, nocturnal asthma, obstructive sleep apnea are some other maladies that can make it difficult to sleep.
Sleep patterns can be interfered with by brain injuries such as tumors. Trauma or strokes. Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative diseases like Alzheimers disease can be the cause of insomnia.
Situational cases
Disturbances in regular sleep patterns are caused by transient insomnia. Things like jet lag or an alteration in shift work. Other causes have to do with environmental changes such as temperature or too much noise.
A couple of other causes of insomnia are withdrawal effects of things like alcohol or drugs or cigarettes. Loss of a close friend or relative can cause insomnia also. Sudden life alterations like becoming unemployed, divorced or separated can fill your mind while you are attempting to sleep.
High altitude is also a cause of insomnia although if you leave the high altitude, you should be able to sleep again. Even if you don’t leave the high altitude, the body will adjust to it in a few days..
Psychological or physiological conditions can both lead to long-term or chronic insomnia.
Psychological conditions such as anxiety, stress or depression can lead to insomnia. Other psychological maladies such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can also contribute to insomnia. Insomnia can be an indicator of mental illness and depression.
Stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine are known to interfere with sleep patterns. To fight this, just limit the amount of coffee or cigarettes before you go to sleep.
Alcohol is a big misconception as far as sleep is concerned. Drinking a nightcap doesn’t promote high-quality sleep. It will disrupt your sleep and you will wake up feeling tired.
Load snoring by your partner contributes to environmental insomnia. Another nocturnal problem comes with people whose partner have restless leg syndrome.
Insomnia can be a very frustrating condition to deal with. It can make it difficult to concentrate, to stay alert, and to function normally during the day. It can also lead to fatigue and mood swings. Insomnia can have many different causes, both physical and psychological. It is important to identify the cause of your insomnia so that you can treat it effectively. If you are unable to identify the cause of your insomnia, see a doctor for help.