By: Maha Mustensir
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects approximately 1.5 million people worldwide. The National Institutes of Health estimates that roughly 30 percent of the general population complains of sleep disruption, and approximately 10 percent have associated symptoms of daytime functional impairment consistent with the diagnosis of insomnia. Insomnia commonly leads to daytime sleepiness, lethargy, and a general feeling of being unwell, both mentally and physically.
In order to learn more about the disorder, it is important for one to understand the symptoms and the conditions that lead to this disorder. The most common symptoms that are experienced for insomnia include a lack of concentration, slowness in activity, waking up too early/during the night, irritability, depression, and increased errors or accidents.
There are numerous medical conditions that can lead to insomnia. In some cases, a medical condition itself causes insomnia, while in other cases, it is simply the person’s sleeping position causing the disorder. Examples of medical conditions that can cause insomnia are nasal/sinus allergies, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, asthma, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, low back pain, and many others. On another note, medications such as those taken for the common cold and nasal allergies, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, birth control, asthma, and depression can also cause insomnia.
Insomnia can be either short-term (acute) or persisting (chronic). However, it can also come and go. Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. Moreover, there are two types of insomnia; primary and secondary. Primary insomnia means that sleep problems aren’t linked to any other health conditions or problems. Secondary insomnia means that a person has trouble sleeping because of a health condition like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, heartburn, and/or substance use like alcohol.
Insomnia is a common sleep problem for adults. The National Institutes of Health estimates that roughly 30% of the general population in America complains of sleep disruption, and approximately 10% have associated symptoms of daytime functional impairment consistent with the diagnosis of insomnia. Furthermore, one in every four women and every one in five men has insomnia, indicating that it affects women more than men. Insomnia also affects older people more than younger ones, and according to many studies young and middle-ages African Americans also have a higher risk.
Although many people assume that they have insomnia, it is not appropriate to diagnose yourself with this disorder. If a person experiences any of the mentioned symptoms, they should contact their doctor before their symptoms get worse. In most cases, the doctor does a physical exam and asks about the person’s medical and sleep history. They might ask you to keep a sleep diary to keep track of sleep patterns and your feelings/emotions throughout the day before doing any other tests.
Acute insomnia does not need treatment. If there are some symptoms that you experience, the doctor may prescribe sleeping pills for a short time. The pills can help avoid drowsiness and make the person feel comparatively alert. However, if they are taken in larger amounts, they might have side effects and could gradually become ineffective. For chronic insomnia, treatment for the conditions that are causing this disorder would be needed. A person might be suggested behavioral therapy depending on his/her condition and seriousness.
Our bodies and brains need sleep so that they can repair themselves and function normally and efficiently. Sleep is very crucial as it helps an individual in learning, memory, and the quality of life in general. To prevent insomnia and stay on the safe side, we should take care of our routine. There should be a routine for everything and although things don’t always go according to plan this would still help limit overwhelmed feelings and anxiety. Don’t use your phones before going to bed. This can be extremely challenging for many, but it helps in the long-run. Don’t eat a heavy meal at night, try to exercise daily, avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that can keep us from falling asleep. If all of these things are kept in mind and heeded, there is little to no chance of insomnia that is currently wrapping a high percentage of individuals in its blanket.
Works Cited
“Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9155.
Robinson, Lawrence. “Insomnia.” HelpGuide.org, www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/insomnia-causes-and-cures.htm#:~:text=Anxiety, stress, and depression are bipolar disorder and trauma.
“What Causes Insomnia?” Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/what-causes-insomnia.