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Health > Conditions > I > Insomnia                          InsomniaInsomnia is a condition where a person has difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. This may result in the person feeling tired and irritable during the day, leading to poor concentration. In some cases, if the condition is not overcome it can lead to mental health problems such as depression. What causes insomnia and who can get it?Everyone has difficulty sleeping from time to time but this is usually short-lived. Insomnia is a very common problem, especially in older people and those under a lot of stress. There are many causes for insomnia. These can include: Physical causesThe insomnia results from an underlying medical condition, which may cause involuntary movements or make a person uncomfortable so that sleeping is awkward or painful. Environmental causesA person’s surroundings may prevent them from sleeping properly, such as temperature, noise, light or perhaps somebody else’s snoring! Pharmacological causesSome people find that their sleep is affected by medication; some medicines may cause a person to be unable to sleep. If you think that your medication is preventing you from falling asleep at night, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. Psychological causesInability to sleep can often be caused by bereavement, stress or worry. Also some mental health conditions can contribute to sleep problems such as anxiety and depression. What are the signs and symptoms of insomnia?Symptoms of insomnia can include:
If you have suffered from any of these symptoms over a period longer than a few weeks you may be suffering from insomnia and should visit your doctor. How is it normally diagnosed?A doctor will be able to diagnose insomnia. They will ask about your sleeping routines, how much alcohol and caffeine you drink each day and your general lifestyle habits, such as what you eat and how much you exercise. All these factors can effect how well you sleep. In addition they may ask you about what has been happening in your life over the past few weeks or months, if you have had any big changes to your daily routine or if you are having problems at school or work for example. There is usually a link between difficult events and insomnia. Your doctor will also check your medical history for any illnesses or medications that may be causing you not to get to sleep. In most cases, a cause of insomnia can be found just through looking at your basic lifestyle and medical history. If the cause is not immediately obvious, your doctor might ask you to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks to show when you went to sleep, how long for, and whether you were disturbed in the night. How is it normally treated?Your doctor can prescribe you sleeping tablets for a short time. Sleeping pills might be prescribed when your insomnia is caused by something like bereavement or jet lag. Tablets shouldn’t be relied on. It’s important to address the underlying cause of your insomnia. Sometimes small measures such as ensuring your bed is comfortable and your bedroom is dark and quiet can make all the difference. If your insomnia is caused by anxiety or depression your doctor may refer you to see a counsellor or psychologist to talk through the reasons you’re finding it hard to sleep. Ways to get a good night’s sleep?
Looking forwardAfter treatment most people manage to find the things that help them to get a good night’s sleep and combat their insomnia.
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