Insomnia is defined as the inability to sleep or maintain sleep. Three types of insomnia exists:
Insomnia may be a symptom of another problem, for example obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, a fever or other underlying medical conditions. It can be caused by any number of factors.
The 3 commonest causes of insomnia are, stress, anxiety and depression. Some other common factors include:
Aerobic exercise and general fitness is important for good health. Exercise in the evening is best and try to avoid strenuous activity before bedtime.
This is in order to avoid reflux at night.
Light, noise, and ambient room temperature is most important and can disrupt sleep. The body’s biological clock is particularly sensitive to light.
Insomnia is a symptom not a diagnosis. Some simple treatments:
Include sedating anti-histamines to benzodiazepines. Some hyponotics include eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien).
Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-sized structure at the center of your brain. At night, melatonin is produced to help your body regulate your sleep-wake cycles. The amount of melatonin produced by your body seems to decrease as you get older. Melatonin not only is a powerful anti-oxidant, but can help in promoting sleep.
If you lie in bed awake for more than 20-30 minutes, get up, go to a different room (or different part of the bedroom), participate in a quiet activity (e.g. non-excitable reading), then return to bed when you feel sleepy. Do this as many times during the night as needed.
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Insomnia is very common; studies suggest that about 30% of adults experience insomnia symptoms, with 10-15% experiencing it in a chronic form.
Diagnosis typically involves a sleep history, symptom assessment, and possibly a sleep study. Doctors may ask about sleep patterns, daily habits, stressors, and any mental or physical health conditions.
While some people can completely overcome insomnia, especially acute forms, others may experience long-term symptoms. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, symptoms can often be managed effectively.
Chronic insomnia can lead to several health issues, including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, weakened immune function, mental health disorders, and impaired cognitive function.
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