Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. It affects about 30%
of the general population, but is even more prevalent in older people.
Women seem to be more susceptible than men. | The major complaints associated with insomnia sleeping disorder are:- inability to fall asleep
- difficulties with maintaining sleep
- waking up too early in the morning
- feeling tired and unrefreshed in the morning regardless of the number of hours of sleep
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Individuals with insomnia often have to deal with fatigue, daytime sleepiness, decreased concentration, headaches, irritability, memory impairment and difficulty completing assignments, mood changes, and stomach upset. On top of that, many people don’t qualify sleeping troubles as a health issue and don’t mention them to their physician or tend to minimize them. As a result, they are at risk of traffic or work related accidents, panic disorders, and alcohol or drug abuse.
Based on duration, we can differentiate insomnia into 3 categories:
| Transient insomnia is caused by minor stress, environmental factors like noise or extreme temperatures, shift work or jet lag caused by traveling between time zones. It usually lasts only several nights and is resolved by itself without any health consequences.
Short-term insomnia may be related to illness, acute pain, stress, medication side effects, and lasts up to 3 weeks.
Chronic insomnia may continue for months, sometimes even years and may be associated with many different factors like physical or psychological illness, including sleep disorders (sleep apnea, |
restless leg syndrome), often depression or anxiety, pain, caffeine, pruritus or unfavorable sleeping environment or lifestyle.
International Classification of Sleep Disorders classify insomnia into 11 categories based on causing factors. For more information on insomnia causes
click here.
Here are some books with more information and more facts about insomnia:
Interestingly, even though sleeping troubles are so common and insomnia is such a prevalent disorder, only about 5% of adults visit a physician specifically for this reason.
There are many options to cure insomnia. Treatment strategies should be personalized with consideration to severity and underlying problems, and aimed at maximization of patient outcomes. In any case, your health care provider can help you to choose treatments right for you.
If the cause of sleeping troubles is just an environmental factor, it is relatively easy to overcome it with one of natural treatments for insomnia or even changes in your lifestyle. The best general advice for somebody with sleeping problems would be to stay active during the day, avoid stress, go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Click here
for some helpful tips.
A relatively large number of sufferers try to self-medicate with either herbs such as valerian root or dietary supplements like melatonin. Some try over the counter or prescription medications.
Check out Insomnia Treatment Options: |
Herbal Sleep Aids
Natural Treatments for Insomnia
Dietary Supplements
Over the Counter Sleep Aids
Prescription Sleep Aids
When to see a doctor?
When you have trouble falling asleep almost every night for more a week and you are so tired during the day that you are unable to cope with your daily responsibilities.
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