Insomnia

Insomnia Defined

Insomnia can be characterized by of the following: difficulty going to sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and disturbed or disrupted sleep. People with insomnia often feel tired or not refreshed upon waking up. Underlying medical conditions or illnesses, psychological and emotional problems and circumstances can cause insomnia.

How Insomnia Can Develop

Individuals who experience symptoms of insomnia for longer period of times tend to develop chronic insomnia. When this happens, their overall well-being can seriously suffer. This is because if the natural sleep cycle is constantly and continually interrupted, it can be very difficult to have it restored.

Some people unconsciously contribute to their sleeping problem by taking naps late in the afternoon or early in the evening. When they do this, they have trouble going to sleep when it is time for bed or they wake up often. Other people would deliberately not go to sleep, creating a sleep deficit that eventually leads to serious physical and mental issues.

When It May Not Be Insomnia

As we age, our sleep tends to become lighter and last shorter. This is why elderly people often find themselves tossing and turning in bed in the middle of the night or in the early morning hours. As we grow older, our body tend to have a lower physical need for sleep, but most elderly people believe that they must sleep a certain amount of time. Thus, their sleeplessness is not really insomnia, but their body actually telling them it does not need more sleep and rest than it already had.

Sleep Pattern in Brief

Sleep is important for mental and physical health. The sleep cycle consists of two different stages: REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). REM is the sleep stage wherein most dreams occur. NREM, on the other hand, further consists of four stages. Stage I happens when an individual passes from relaxed wakefulness; stage II is light sleep; stage III and stage IV are deep sleep. Stage IV is referred to as the delta sleep and happens during the first few hours of sleep. REM sleep then follows NREM sleep.

Insomnia: A Symptom, Not a Disease

Most people mistakenly regard insomnia as a disease. However, insomnia is largely a symptom of an underlying physical or mental condition, a behavioral problem or some other factor. For instance, insomnia can be caused by certain medications such as those that contain caffeine, a stimulant. Stress, emotional problems, physical or mental impairment, allergies and poor sleeping habits can cause insomnia. People diagnosed with bipolar disorder are often insomniacs. Medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, arthritis, depression and high blood pressure are possible underlying causes of insomnia.

Those who may be dealing with traumatic and minor events can experience transient insomnia. In such cases, the insomnia disappears after a while or when those affected become accustomed to the new situation. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, lasts for more than three weeks. People with chronic insomnia have a high risk of becoming injured or figuring in an accident, especially when they are driving.

People who have insomnia tend to shy from getting medical advice. Thus, many insomniacs do not know that there are treatments available for their condition.