The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep every night, but this amount varies from person to person. Just as important as the quantity of sleep is the quality. Constant tossing and turning while trying to fall asleep is detrimental to our health. Several factors can contribute to insomnia, including life stressors, chronic pain, and hormone fluctuations. A sleep disorder may also result from a neurological disease or an underlying medical condition.
Insomnia can have a range of health risks - Photo by newsharvard
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common disorder that affects many people. It can be acute or chronic, lasting a few nights or months. Acute insomnia lasts a few nights, while chronic insomnia can last weeks or months. The cause of insomnia can vary, from a temporary reason, like a painful breakup, to a long-term issue like drug or alcohol abuse. Getting the correct diagnosis is essential for your overall health and wellbeing.
Chronic insomnia: Insomnia is a condition of inadequate sleep duration and quality, which causes significant suffering and impairment of daily activities. The ICD-10 classification system categorizes insomnia as 'non-organic,' meaning it lacks objective or quantitative criteria. Insomnia is defined as an abnormal sleep-wake pattern lasting at least three nights. Patients with chronic insomnia focus on their sleep disorder during the night and often have daytime symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
While most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, this varies between people. While quantity matters, quality sleep is just as important. Tossing and turning while trying to sleep can be just as bad for you as not getting enough sleep. Insomnia can result from mental health problems, chronic pain, and hormonal fluctuations. People who have insomnia often cannot sleep for a long time or experience difficulty waking up in the morning.
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Causes
Poor sleeping habits are one of the most common causes of insomnia. These include irregular bedtimes, excessive use of the bed for work, and eating and drinking before bed. Eating and drinking before sleep can also contribute to early awakenings. Certain medications and underlying medical conditions can also cause chronic insomnia and persist even after treatment. Mental health disorders are another common cause of insomnia, and some forms of medication can cause the problem to stay in remission.
People with mental health problems are more likely to have insomnia. These people tend to have sleep problems because of chemical imbalances in their brains or other bodily malfunctions. They have trouble getting to sleep; if these issues persist, they can cause insomnia. Other possible causes of insomnia include medication for high blood pressure, birth control, or depression. Similarly, aging can cause problems with sleep. The body's sleep cycle changes as we get older.
Older adults experience insomnia more often because of various medical problems that disrupt their sleep. Common causes of insomnia include arthritis, gastrointestinal distress, frequent urination, and lung and heart diseases. Neurologic conditions can also affect sleep, increasing the risk of falls in the elderly. Shift workers are also vulnerable to insomnia. Night shift workers report high rates of sleeplessness. They may also experience insomnia as a result of shifting work schedules.
Michael J. Thorpy, MD, states that insomnia is the second most common complaint. After upper-airway symptoms, insomnia affects nearly 10% of the population at any given time. But its prevalence varies widely, and there are several ways to treat it.
Symptoms of Insomnia
Insomnia is a common symptom of several different medical conditions. Blood tests can help rule out pre-existing medical conditions and thyroid issues. There are many other causes of insomnia, including lifestyle factors, medications, and pre-bedtime habits. Because the causes of insomnia are so diverse, you may need to see more than one doctor before determining the cause of your sleep issues.
Insomnia affects about 35 percent of adult populations, with women and older adults suffering the most. It is also more common in people with stress and mental health problems. About fifteen to twenty percent of people have short-term insomnia, which lasts up to three months. Ten percent of individuals have chronic insomnia, which lasts longer than three months. It can also signify chronic illnesses like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Diagnostics and Tests
To begin with, your doctor will want to know how many hours of sleep you have daily. Your doctor may also want to know about your daily mood and any physical activity you do. It may be helpful to consult with a therapist or seek medication. Insomnia is a severe problem that can have physical and mental effects, so it is essential to seek professional help to find the best treatment. Insomnia may indicate a medical condition, but it's important to remember that many people with this condition are unaware of their sleep habits.
An insomnia diagnosis may require a sleep study, which involves sleeping in a lab for several hours with the help of trained technicians who monitor your brain activity, eye movements, oxygen levels, and heart rate. There are many possible causes of insomnia, and different types require different treatment plans. To determine the cause of insomnia, your medicals will first evaluate your sleep habits and medical history. Sometimes, a sleep study may also be recommended to rule out sleep apnea or other conditions.
One test for insomnia is a polysomnogram (also known as a sleep study), which records your physical state during sleep. This test helps the doctor evaluate your sleep by identifying the stages of sleep, the level of oxygen in your blood, and other vital indicators. During the sleep study, the doctor can monitor your brainwaves and identify any irregularities. During a sleep study, your doctor can determine which factors contribute to your insomnia and which ones may not.
While these tests and investigations are valuable tools for determining the cause of insomnia, their results may not correlate with patient reports of their sleep problems. Therefore, a careful clinical evaluation should be conducted before recommending a sleep study or treatment. Insomnia is a subjective diagnosis, so the patient's description of their sleep problems should have the highest priority in guiding treatment. It is best to ask patients about their experiences and how they have changed over time. For primary sleep disorders, referral to a sleep lab is appropriate.
Treatment of Insomnia
There are several treatments available for insomnia. Depending on the cause of your sleep disorders, you may be prescribed medication or nonmedical therapy. Some medicines are more effective than others, and changing your medications may be helpful. Before making any medication changes, consult with your health care provider. Some sleep disorders may be caused by psychological conditions or side effects of medications.
The initial visit to a physician may not require further evaluation. If the primary cause of insomnia is acute and is not complicated by other comorbid conditions, non-pharmacologic treatments may be the best option. Cognitive behavior therapy, for example, has shown significant results in treating chronic insomnia. Physical exercise can improve sleep and has several additional health benefits. The following table summarizes the main comorbid conditions that contribute to insomnia. Insomnia and depression are often co-occurring.
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Complications
Insomnia can have a range of health risks, including major depressive disorders and substance abuse. In addition to its impact on health, chronic insomnia is associated with poor prognoses in older adults. Even in its mild form, chronic insomnia can contribute to depression, hypertension, and even mortality. While it is impossible to eliminate the causes of insomnia, the following lifestyle changes may help alleviate the condition and reduce your risk of complications.
Prevention
Insomnia is often a transient condition. It resolves after the underlying trigger is removed. However, some cases can persist for months. Establishing a sleep diary to understand how transient insomnia occurs is essential. When you go to bed, how you wake up, and whether you take any medication can help identify the cause. During the day, you should avoid caffeinated drinks, nightcaps, and any sexual activity before bed. The key to preventing insomnia is improving your sleep habits. This may take time, but the results are worth the effort.
Changing your daytime habits: The first step to solving the problem of insomnia is to identify the factors that trigger your sleep disorder. Excessive caffeine or alcohol, napping, sugary food, and excessive exercise may disrupt your sleep cycle. These are all common triggers of insomnia. By changing these habits, you can overcome the problem once and for all. And because insomnia is not a disease, it's not contagious.
Determining whether someone has insomnia is not tricky. Most people with this disorder are aware of their condition when they don't sleep well, but some do not realize they are suffering from it. These people may mistake daytime fatigue for other chronic health issues or a hectic schedule. Regardless of the cause, talking to your primary care provider is essential in identifying the exact cause of your insomnia. If you suspect you may have insomnia, your physician may be able to recommend a specialized sleep disorder treatment.
