What Causes Insomnia and Who Suffers From It?
It is commonplace for several people to suffer at least an
occasional night of almost non-existent sleep. The causes of
insomnia differ from person to person. What made a student
insomniac varies from what caused a shift worker or a traveler
or an employee to acquire such sleeping disorder.
Insomnia, which is the inability to sleep satisfactorily or to
have any sleep at all, is one of the most common sleep
disorders. It is characterized by restlessness, sleep
interruptions, decreased sleeping time than the usual, or
sometimes complete wakefulness.
Aside from the annoyance that insomnia can cause to its
sufferers, this sleep disorder causes those afflicted to lose
enthusiasm and energy, acquire memory and concentration
problems, feel lethargic, frustrated, and of course sleepy.
Worse cases that may be induced by insomnia is one's being prone
to accidents, reduced work productivity and the aggravation of
psychological and medical conditions.
So what exactly are the culprits that make insomnia one menacing
sleeping problem?
1. Emotional Distress
More particularly when it is from internalized anxiety or anger,
emotional problems can easily trigger this sleep disorder.
2. Substance Abuse
Drinking too much coffee, colas or other "energy-upper drinks"
is known to cause insomnia. Caffeine from these drinks is the
main reason. Chain smokers can also be easy victims of insomnia
because of the nicotine that cigarettes contain. Herbal
remedies, alcohol and other medications can also make one prone
to becoming an insomniac. Some may think that alcohol, when
consumed, can make one feel drowsy. But little did they know
that in the long run, when the alcohol gets metabolized, sudden
wakefulness will follow.
3. Biological Clock Disturbance.
Also known as circadian rhythm, one's body clock, when altered,
can damage the amount of sleep one can peacefully enjoy. This
body clock disturbance can be caused by an irregular slumber
schedule because of too much siesta or partying too late at
night. It can also be jetlag or body clock disturbance due to
traveling by plane to some place where there is a different time
zone. Other causes may be the grave yard schedules of workers
and cramming review season for students induced by exams.
4. Environmental Factors
Extreme temperatures can disrupt one's sleeping patterns. Noise
and bright lights can have the same effect too. Homesickness or
when one is forced to sleep in an unfamiliar place is also one
reason behind getting into the habit of not having enough sleep.
5. Health Problems
Health disorders such as diabetes, heart failure,
hyperthyroidism, ulcers, and Parkinson's disease can also induce
insomnia. Asthma may also be one health problem that makes one
prone to insomnia because of an asthmatic's shortness of breath.
Frequent urination, heartburn, and chronic pain from leg cramps,
tooth ache and arthritis can also cause insomnia.
Psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and depression are
also possible culprits for insomnia. Snoring with prolonged
pauses in breathing while at sleep, also known as sleep apnea
can also cause insomnia. Periodic arm and leg movements during
sleep causing the muscles to twitch excessively is one
underlying cause of this sleep disorder. Another cause is
narcolepsy or one's lack of control on whether to stay awake or
to fall asleep, is another cause of this sleep disorder.
6. Pre-bedtime Activities
Engaging to vigorous activities such as exercise just right
before bedtime can deprive one of a good night's sleep.
Consuming large meals when one is just about to sleep can also
make one experience this sleeping disorder. This is because when
metabolism is at its most active thus the body prompts one to
stay awake.
Who are Prone to Insomnia?
Reports have it that 90% of people can acquire transient
insomnia at some point in their lives. While an estimate of 30%
suffers from its chronic form.
a. Women are said to be more at risk in acquiring insomnia
because of the following reasons:
- Pre-menstrual syndrome with symptoms of irritability,
depression and anxiety, and bloating due to menstruation
disturbs a woman's sleeping pattern. - Menopause can also change
a woman's sleeping pattern. - Pregnancy makes sleeplessness one
common thing to happen.
b. Elderly people are also prone to getting insomnia because
ageing alters one's sleeping patterns.
c. Depressed people have lighter slumbers compared to those who
don't feel this psychological condition.
d. Students or younger ones who are conscious with their grades
(because of cramming) can easily become insomniacs too.
With that vast information on what causes insomnia and who are
at risk with this sleeping disorder, one can easily ward off
this annoying condition.