What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleeping problem in which a person feels difficulty in falling asleep. Almost everyone suffers from this once in their life. Insomnia may be for the short term or long term. Insomnia is acute when it lasts for one night within a week, and it is chronic when it happens at least three nights within three months. Insomnia causes drowsiness in the daytime and reduces the level of energy, and it may affect you mentally and physically.

How much sleep do you need?

There is nothing official about how much sleep you need to take every night because every person's lifestyle is different. On average, the amount of sleep in adults is considered to be seven to nine hours approximately. Children and newborns need more sleep than adults. What is more important is the quality of sleep and how long you sleep, you probably not get good sleep if you feel tired all day.

What are the types of Insomnia?

Insomnia is of two types-:

Primary Insomnia

Secondary Insomnia

Primary Insomnia- when your sleeping problem is not linked with your health condition, then that situation is called primary Insomnia.

Secondary Insomnia- when your sleeping problem is linked with your health condition like asthma, depression, cancer, and heartburn, then that situation is called secondary Insomnia. The case of secondary Insomnia also arises when you are using a substance like alcohol, pain medication, etc.
What are the causes of Insomnia?

The primary reason for Insomnia is stress and tension. Still, there are some physical conditions for this: sleep apnea, overactive thyroid, certain medications, gastrointestinal problems, gastroesophageal reflux, and substance abuse, which can also be the other reason for the significant sleep disruptor.

In people, the reason for Insomnia is the change in shifts at the workplace, jet lag, and too much consumption of caffeine. People who do not get sufficient sunlight during the day they also have trouble sleeping.

What are the insomnia risk factors?

Risk factors mean the condition responsible for getting the disease. It is within reach of Insomnia to develop with or without the risk factors. However, the more risk factor you have, the more chance of Insomnia is there. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to decrease the risk factors. Insomnia is also the

Long-term illness

Mental health issues

Working night shifts

Rotation of shifts

the elderly

users of illegal drugs

adolescent

young adult students

pregnant women

menopausal women

travelers

What are the symptoms of Insomnia?

The most common symptom of Insomnia that people feel is difficulty sleeping, whether going to bed, staying asleep, and waking up too early. Other symptoms of Insomnia are-:

Unrefreshing sleep

Fatigue

low energy

Cognitive impairment like difficulty in concentrating

Mood disturbance

irritability

Behavior problems

feeling impulsive

aggression

Stress at work and school

Difficulty in personal relationships, whether in family, friends, and caregivers.
When to call the doctor?

Call your doctor under the following conditions:

If you find a problem while sleeping without any cause for continuously for more than one month

If you watch severe snoring

If you fall asleep without warning in the daytime

If you stop breathing for a while during sleeping at night

If the medicine for Insomnia you are taking is not working correctly.

If you do not get sufficient sleep during day or night.

How to diagnose Insomnia?

The diagnosis of Insomnia depends on your condition, its diagnosis, and search for its cause depends upon the factors like Physical exam, Sleep habits review, Sleep study.

Physical exam- when the sign of Insomnia is unknown, the doctor will do the physical exam to look for signs of a problem related to Insomnia. Blood tests may be done to check the thyroid, which may be the reason for the problem associated with Insomnia.

Sleep habits review- After asking sleeping related questions, the doctor will conduct a questionnaire on the pattern of your sleeping routine and the level of sleepiness in the daytime. He will suggest you prepare a record of your sleep for some weeks.

Sleep study- In case the reason for Insomnia is not apparent to the doctor, or there are some other signs of sleeping disorders like sleep apnea, restless and legs syndrome, etc. then you are suggested to spend some nights in the sleep center. Various tests are done to keep an eye on you and record your body activities while sleeping, including breathing, heartbeat, eye movements, and body movements.

What are the treatments of Insomnia?

Changing your sleeping habits and any issues related to Insomnia like stress, medical conditions, or medications can help you in peaceful sleep. If this does not work on you, then the doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy and some remedies to assist in improving your sleeping related problems.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for Insomnia- It is a therapy for Insomnia that helps you control and eliminates negative thoughts that cause sleeping problems. This is the first treatment for the problem related to Insomnia. It is as effective as other sleeping treatments. It helps you develop a good sleeping habit that keeps you fresh, and you can have a good sleep.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia strategies include Stimulus control therapy, Relaxation techniques, Sleep restriction, Remaining passively awake, and Light therapy.

Stimulus control therapy- This helps you in removing the factors that keep you awake.

Relaxation techniques- There are some ways like progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and breathing exercises, which help you reduce anxiety during sleep. While practicing these techniques aids in controlling the birthrate, heart rate, muscle tension, and mood so that you can feel relax and take a nap.

Sleep restriction- This technique helps you decrease the time of activities that you do to avoid taking a nap.

Remaining passively awake- It is also called paradoxical intention. This technique helps you reduce anxiety and worry, which helps in getting the sleep early and reducing the problems related to Insomnia.

Light therapy- This therapy helps you in falling asleep soon.

Your doctor may recommend some other strategies depending upon your lifestyle and sleep environment.

What are some prescribed medicines for Insomnia?

Prescription medications for insomnia are as follow-:

Eszopiclone

Lunesta

Ramelteon

Rozerem

Zaleplon

Sonata

Zolpidem

Ambien

Edluar

Intermezzo

Zolpimist

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