What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder that makes it difficult for a person to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up too early and being unable to fall back asleep despite having sufficient opportunity for rest.
Insomnia can lead to:
- Depletion of energy
- Negative impact on overall health
- Affects attitude and mood
- Affects attitude and mood
- Decreased work performance
- Overall reduction in quality of life
- Sleep problems based on duration:
Insomnia or Sleep problems are classified into different types depending on whether they occur intermittently or persistently.
- Transient Insomnia:
- Short-term disruption in sleep patterns
- Factors : Stress, changes in sleep environment, jet lag, illness, medication side effects, or emotional disturbances.
- Duration : Days to 1 week
- Short-term Insomnia:
- Typically associated with short-term stressors like accidents, loss of family members, or changes in routine.
- Duration : one to six months
- Chronic Insomnia:
- Persistent sleep problems lasting longer periods.
- Often, it is a symptom of underlying medical conditions such as depression, anxiety or chronic pain.
- Comparatively less common than short-term Insomnia.
- Duration : More than six months
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Symptoms of Insomnia:
The following symptoms are able to identify if a person has Insomnia:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Awake during the night
- Sleeping only for a short duration
- Restlessness throughout the day
- Daytime sleepiness
- Worries before sleep and stress
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of concentration / Difficulty in paying attention
- Accidents ( or ) increased errors
When To See a Doctor?
Insomnia requires the immediate attention of the doctor if it lasts more than 3-4 weeks or if it interferes with a person's daytime activities and ability to function.
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What are the causes of Insomnia?
Insomnia can be categorized into primary and secondary Insomnia based on its causes:
Primary Insomnia:
This type is not linked to any underlying health conditions.
- Poor sleeping habits
- Irregular sleep schedules
- Excessive use of caffeine
- Alcohol consumption and smoking
- Use of electronic devices before bedtime
- Mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression
- Environmental factors like light, noise, and temperature
Secondary Insomnia:
This type of Insomnia is caused by underlying health conditions and medication. Below are the causes
Although there are many conditions responsible for Insomnia, it is yet treatable. Simple alterations in the routine can be beneficial.
What are the risk factors of Insomnia?
Insomnia, the difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep, can be influenced by a variety of factors. Here are some common risk factors associated with Insomnia:
- h3-Age : Old age people have more of a tendency to experience insomnia
- h3-Gender : Women suffer predominantly from insomnia than men
- h3-Genetics : Individuals with a predisposition to insomnia are also more likely to experience it.
Diagnosis of Insomnia
Insomnia is typically diagnosed through a combination of methods such as physical examinations, health history, and sleeping habits, along with some diagnostic tests.
Screening tests conducted to Diagnose Insomnia:
- Polysomnography : It is a type of sleep study test conducted to monitor overnight sleep in a sleep lab.
- Actigraphy : It is a non-invasive method used to monitor sleep and wake patterns over an extended period, typically several days to weeks.
Treatment of Insomnia
Many people can get proper sleep by changing their sleeping habits and addressing the concerns that cause insomnia. If these methods do not work, doctors may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy, sleep medications, or a combination.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often suggested as the first line of treatment, which helps to manage stress and remove unpleasant thoughts. It is more effective than medications. The cognitive behavioural therapy may include:
- Stimulus control therapy : This plan helps you get rid of things that stop you from sleeping. For instance, it suggests you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, skip naps, and if you can't fall asleep in 20 minutes, leave the bedroom until you feel sleepy again.
- Relaxation techniques : Anxiety can be reduced during bedtime using progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, and breathing exercises. These strategies can help you relax by allowing you to control your breathing, heart rate, muscle tension, and mood.
- Sleep restriction : This therapy reduces the time spent in bed. It also discourages daytime naps, resulting in partial sleep deprivation and increased fatigue the next night. Your time in bed is gradually increased once your sleep has improved.
- Passively awake : This therapy is for learned Insomnia, which is also called paradoxical intention. It aims to reduce worry and anxiety over not being able to fall asleep by staying in bed.
- Light therapy : A light can be set as an internal clock to help you get a good night's sleep.
Medications for Insomnia :
Medications like benzodiazepines and zopiclone are sometimes used to treat insomnia. However, it's essential to talk to a doctor before taking any medication for insomnia. They can help you figure out which one might work best for you and what possible side effects to watch out for.
Dos and Don'ts
The following lifestyle changes and tips may help to reduce Insomnia
Complications of Insomnia:
Insomnia can lead to various complications if left untreated. These include
Insomnia Care at Medicover Hospitals
We have the most excellent team of neurologists with a proven track record in treating different types of sleep disorders such as Insomnia with high success rates at Medicover Hospitals. Our doctors have extensive experience to diagnose and treat all types of sleep disorders. Medicover Hospitals has world class experienced doctors having expertise in various types of insomnia problems. Consult with our highly experienced doctors for the best and finest care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Natural techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and limited screen time before going to sleep can help improve the quality of sleep.
Yes, chronic Insomnia can lead to various health issues like depression and impaired cognitive function.
A sleep medicine specialist is the best person to diagnose and treat Insomnia. Psychiatrists, neurologists, and other doctors with extra training are also eligible to treat sleep problems.
Foods rich in tryptophan, like turkey, milk, nuts, and seeds, promote better sleep. Magnesium-rich foods such as spinach and bananas also aid in combating insomnia.
Yes, regular physical activity can improve sleep quality and duration, but it's best to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
