The Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is a rather common sleep complaint for which there are many possible causes. For each sufferer, a proper diagnosis and treatment plan needs to address the underlying reason for the condition, in order to bring about satisfactory results.

Actually, insomnia is both a perception and a medical problem. By definition, it can be a condition in which the quality and quantity of sleep is inadequate to maintain normal daily activities. There are various levels of insomnia including difficulty falling asleep, light sleeping or waking early in the morning with the inability to get back to sleep. To be considered a physical disorder, impaired functioning and a feeling of distress must accompany insomnia. A doctor will first evaluate a patient with a complete examination to determine if there is a physical cause. A sleep study that involves personal observation and data collecting, may also be recommended to diagnosis and determine a treatment plan.

The possible causes of insomnia are conditional on the type of insomnia the patient is experiencing. This disorder can occur on a short-term basis or it may be chronic. In a short term or intermittent situation, the triggers can include stress, temperature changes, side effects of medication, noise or a different sleep schedule that may occur because of a job change or traveling. In each of these situations, addressing these specific factors by eliminating or altering them can successfully cure the insomnia.

Chronic insomnia, which lasts more than 6 months, is a more complex condition that makes determining the exact cause a bit harder. Often, there is a combination of physical and mental problems that needs to be accurately diagnosed and treated. The most common cause of chronic insomnia is depression. A variety of health problems may also cause this disorder, including sleep apnea, heart failure, asthma, arthritis, kidney failure and narcolepsy. In some cases, lifestyle changes and choices like alcohol or drug use, a change in working hours or taking daytime naps, bring on the condition.

There are also certain types of people who are prone to insomnia. Seniors, those over 60 years old, are more likely to have difficulty sleeping. Females and anyone with depression are often candidates. People who travel frequently, young adult students and shift workers have bouts of insomnia caused by their lifestyles. Hormonal changes, like those experienced in pregnancy and menopause, increase the likelihood of insomnia. Poor eating habits and a lack of exercise often contributes to this condition, as can certain over-the-counter drugs and nicotine.

It's best to remember that insomnia is really a symptom and not a disease. The presence of this condition points to a cause that is occurring in the person's body, lifestyle or mind. For this disorder to be successfully cured, patients need to work with their doctor to help pinpoint the cause. Emotions that may lie repressed during the day may surface at night, leading to disrupted sleep patterns. Candidly discuss anxieties and fears with your doctor.

In many cases, some simple changes can bring about dramatic relief. If the insomnia is caused by a physical condition, like congestive heart failure or COPD, an adjustment in medication may be necessary to better manage these medical disorders. For many people, natural supplements may also be effective. It’s important to know that insomnia can be cured and normal sleep patterns can resume. All that's needed is some proper detective work and a determination to find out the true cause.

Michael Rupkalvis manages the LifeFormulas website, which offers a unique blog about his day-to-day activities with ITV Ventures and their many health-related products. One of the products sold through that business is Straight to Sleep, which is a natural sleeping supplement that can help resolve insomnia issues.