All About Insomnia. Part 2
Approximately 30 percent of the population have insomnia that lasts longer (chronic insomnia). If one’s insomnia lasts longer than a few weeks and is affecting his/her mood, relationships or ability to function at work, it is advisable to see a doctor. There are many different causes of insomnia including medical disorders and drugs without a prescription, mental disorders and conditions, caffeine, over-the-counter medicines and herbal therapies. Alcohol, while helping some people fall asleep, causes problems with late night/early morning sleep. Sleep also worsens with age, menopause and pregnancy. In most cases, there are simple measures that can improve sleep.
Possible Causes
The most common causes of insomnia are stress, anxiety and depression. Insomnia can also be caused by factors such as daytime napping, caffeine, smoking or alcohol. Exercising before bedtime can make falling asleep difficult. Shortness of breath from asthma or other medical problems (such as prostate disease and heartburn), back or arthritic pain and leg discomfort can all cause significant sleep problems.
Various sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy and periodic leg and arm movements during sleep, often produce sleeping difficulties. Disturbances in one’s body clock may cause one to need sleep at atypical hours, such as 3 a.m. until noon. This disturbance of sleep timing is especially common with travel to different time zones, night shift work and in high school and college-aged individuals. It is often misinterpreted by parents or friends as laziness. Many medical illnesses such as pain, ulcers, diabetes and asthma can disturb sleep. Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and various medications (both over-the-counter and prescribed) contribute to sleeplessness as well.
Despite the variety of factors that can cause insomnia, there are very effective strategies that a patient, a doctor and a sleep specialist can undertake to overcome insomnia, whether it is mild or even chronic and disabling.