Insomnia | Sleep Disorder | Short-Term (acute) Insomnia



Insomnia is generally described as a sleep disorder which makes you very hard to sleep peacefully, hard to stay asleep or it wakes you up early without getting back to sleep. You will also experience tiredness when you wake up.This sleep disorder not only saps your energy levels and mood but also your health wellness,work performance and quality of life. Generally, how much sleep you need varies from person to person, but most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep.


At some point, most adults will experience acute insomnia which usually lasts for days to weeks. Usually, it is because of stress or a traumatic event. But some of the people will experience long-term chronic insomnia which lasts for a month or more. In some cases, insomnia might be the primary problem or it may be along with some other health conditions or medications or drugs. Simple changes in your behaviours will help you to manage this disorder.


Types of insomnia


Generally, two main ways that researchers use to put insomnia into these categories:


  • Time: Specialists classify insomnia into acute or chronic form. Acute form of insomnia means short term and chronic form of insomnia means long-term. This severe type of chronic long term form is known as insomnia disorder.

  • Cause: Primary insomnia disorder happens on its own. But secondary insomnia disorder is the symptoms of other health conditions or circumstances.


Insomnia Causes


Causes of primary insomnia disorder include:


  • Stress which is related to big life changing events like job loss or job change, sudden death of a loved one, divorce or moving somewhere

  • Things that are surrounded by you like noise, light, or temperature

  • Sudden changes to your sleep time like jet lag, sudden shift changes at work, or bad habits you followed because of other sleep problems.

  • In some cases, it is because of your genes. Experts found that a tendency for this disorder might run in families.


Secondary causes of insomnia include:


  • Mental health conditions or illness that includes depression and anxiety

  • Medications or drugs for colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma.

  • Pain or sudden discomfort at night

  • Use more of Caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol, and also use illicit drugs.

  • Health issues like Hyperthyroidism and other endocrine problems

  • Some other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome

  • Pregnancy

  • Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia

  • ADHD

  • PMS and menopause


Risk factors for insomnia


Insomnia disorder is more likely to happen in people with the associated characteristics:


  • Light sleepers

  • People who use more often alcohol

  • People, especially those who live in places like where repeated violence or abuse happen then they will have a high risk of getting it.

  • People who facing fear or anxiety about sleep like those who are with disruptive sleep issues such as panic attacks or nightmare disorder


Diagnosis


Healthcare professionals can diagnose insomnia by the help of a combination of methods particularly by asking questions about your medical history, personal circumstances, your habits of sleep and some other symptoms and more. But they suggest specific tests to rule out other medical conditions which cause or contribute to insomnia.


Some other tests to rule other medical conditions


  • Sleep apnea test which involves an overnight sleep research in a sleep lab called polysomnography or with the help of at-home sleep apnea screening device

  • Actigraphy

  • MSLT - Multiple sleep latency test


Treatments for Insomnia 


Usually, the treatment for insomnia will depend on how long a person has been facing sleep issues and some other factors which are contributing to their sleep loss illness. If insomnia is caused because of  another health condition like sleep apnea or depression so that treatments for other health conditions improve sleep.


Few of the treatment approaches are available for people who are affected with insomnia which persists for weeks or months.


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)


Specialists consider this cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia called CBT-I is the effective initial treatment for chronic insomnia.Usually CBT-I helps people to manage the anxiety they feel about their sleep issues and improves better sleep habits.


Sleep Medications


If a person is facing significant symptoms from insomnia, or in cases CBT- I don't help, medications might be suggested for you. Medicines or drugs which help you to promote sleep but it may come with some side effects like daytime drowsiness or confusion.


Homeopathic Treatments 

Some people who are affected with insomnia disorder are very much interested in exploring varieties of activities like melatonin or dietary supplements, yoga and meditation, hypnosis therapy, or aromatherapy. Scientific evidence will support the use of above methods to treat insomnia which is lacking at this time.


Complications


Sleep deprivation can increase the highest rate of specific medical conditions:


  • Depression.

  • Anxiety.

  • Hypertension - High blood pressure 

  • Heart attack.

  • Stroke.

  • Obstructive sleep apnea.

  • Type 2 diabetes.

  • Obesity.

  • Conditions that involve psychosis.


Prevention


Good sleep habits help you to prevent insomnia and it improves sound sleep:


  • You must keep your bedtime and wake time constant from day to day including weekends.

  • Regular activity and staying active will help you to improve good night’s sleep.

  • Check your medicines or drugs to look if they contribute to insomnia

  • Try to avoid unnecessary laps or limit naps.

  • Try to avoid consuming more caffeine and alcohol and do not use nicotine.

  • You should avoid large meals and cool beverages before bedtime.



Frequently Asked Questions


Q1. What is the main cause of insomnia?

Ans: It's not always clear what triggers insomnia, but it's often associated with: stress and anxiety.


Q2. Can insomnia be cured?

Ans: The good news is that most cases of insomnia can be cured with changes you can make on your own.


Q3. Who suffers from insomnia?

Ans: Women are more likely to have insomnia than men. 


Q4. How long can insomnia last?

Ans: But one in 10 suffer from chronic insomnia, which lasts for more than three nights a week for three or more months.


Q5. Is insomnia part of anxiety?

Ans: Insomnia, and other serious disturbances of sleep, are well established as a common symptom of anxiety disorders.

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