Insomnia is one of the most common as well as most neglected disorders. Insomnia is characterised by lack of sleep from one night to a period of three months. Insomnia can be acute as well as chronic, acute ranging from 1 day to three weeks and chronic from the minimum of three days in a week to three months. Insomnia is also characterised into primary and secondary depending upon the underlying disease or reason from which the condition arises.
Insomnia which is a result of stress, surrounding noise, light, jet lag is categorised into primary insomnia.
Insomnia which arises from depression, anxiety, medications, caffeine, hyperthyroidism or any other disease is categorised into secondary insomnia.
Common symptoms of insomnia are:
- Either difficulty in falling sleep or staying asleep, including frequent waking up in the middle of night (lack of sound sleep).
- Loss of concentration and attention during the day.
- Anxiety about lack of sleep.
- Unending fatigue.
- Lack of coordination usually resulting in accidents or errors in daily routine.
Insomnia is characterised by patterns of sleep disturbances including if a person has trouble:
- Falling asleep.
- Staying asleep.
- Getting full or restorative sleep.
Insomnia is also characterised into:
- Acute Insomnia: Short term insomnia.
- Chronic Insomnia: Long term insomnia.
- Mild Insomnia: Lack of sleep due to tiredness.
- Moderate Insomnia: The severity is moderate affecting the daily routine.
- Severe Insomnia: It is extremely serious and has grave impact on daily life.
Causes:
- Stress is a very common cause of insomnia which could be a result of any worries relating to the personal, work or social life.
- Work schedule.
- Having improper eating habits or disturbance in eating cycles like eating too late right before sleeping.
- Irregular bedtime naps or naps during the daytime.
- Medications can cause insomnia. Medications that interfere with the sleeping patterns include the antidepressants, blood pressure medications, pain killers, weight-loss products etc.
- Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, GERD (Gastrointestinal reflux disorder), COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) etc.
- Caffeine can cause insomnia.
- Frequent smoking can also be the reason.
- Lethargic lifestyle.
- Recreational drugs like cocaine.
- Chronic pain can also cause sleep disturbance.
Treatment & Prevention:
- Regular physical activity.
- Limiting nicotine and caffeine.
- Cutting large meals right before bedtime and switching to lighter options.
- Limit the daytime napping.
- Consulting a counsellor and using prescription medicines if the disorder is severe in its impact.
- Meditation.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy.
- Bedtime reading or listening to soothing music before sleeping.
- Maintain a healthy sleep hygiene.
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