Being unable to sleep for extended periods can be a torturous condition. Yet, insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects a significant amount of the population. People who have insomnia have issues with falling and staying asleep, which can last anywhere from a few days to years. In any case, insomnia can be quite detrimental to your quality of life and general health.

Types of insomnia

Insomnia can be categorised into acute, chronic, and transient.

Acute insomnia is when insomnia is temporary but last for weeks or even a few months.

Chronic insomnia is when your insomnia lasts over three months and has effects that tend to linger.

Transient insomnia is temporary and short-term (only a few weeks), whose cause can be pinpointed to solvable issues such as illness or stress.

In this article, we go into further detail about these conditions, their causes, and how they can be treated.

Symptoms

But how can we be sure that what someone has is actually insomnia? Here are some symptoms that are typically associated with the condition:

– Having trouble falling and staying asleep

– Having chaotic sleep patterns (waking up in the middle of the night, waking up still exhausted, becoming lethargic during the day)

– Forgetting things

– Having trouble staying focused and paying attention

– Experiencing anxiety, irritability, or depression

Causes of insomnia

Insomnia can have a wide range of causes. From anxiety to too much time spent at work to health issues like menopause, it can be difficult to pin it on any one thing.

People who have had a sudden and drastic change in work timings are also known to deal with insomnia. Doctors and nurses who work erratic shifts are a great example of this. If you don’t have a set sleep schedule, it’s likelier you will experience this disorder.

Research shows that the first few nights spent in a different place tends to force you into a very light sleep. If you’re someone who travels a lot, this can have a significant impact on your nights. Factoring in the effects of jet lag and insomnia and insomnia is one of the natural outcomes.

Insomnia can also be genetic. Studies have shown that chromosome 7 in humans can be attributed to insomnia. People are also known to be born with genes that allude to sleep disorders.

Consuming certain substances is also known to lead to insomnia. Some medication, drinks, and recreational drugs consist of stimulants like caffeine that impede sleep. Anti-depressants, medication for hypertension, and cholesterol can result in the same. Tobacco, alcohol, and spicy foods can also be detrimental to your sleep health.

Lastly, with the advent of technology, people have started to rest less and less. The emissions of light from these gadgets negatively impact your sleep.

Treatments

Fortunately, an increasing number of insomnia treatments are available these days. Many people have been turning to cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT) to help manage their condition.

Plenty of medications have become widely available to help you achieve a healthy sleep schedule (though they can only be taken for a short period).

Many individuals also try more traditional or alternative methods to aid their recovery. Some of these include:

– Herbs (valerian root, chamomile, ginseng, etcetera)

– Melatonin

– TCM (traditional Chinese medicine)

– Meditation

– Exercise

Conclusion

There are myriad reasons why an individual might suffer from insomnia. Fortunately, there are also myriad ways to treat this condition. For example, aside from therapy, medication, and other traditional methods, abstaining from daytime naps and consuming certain substances can also help greatly.

Finally, a great bedroom setup is always necessary to facilitate restful nights. A good quality chiro mattress and pillow can be the secret to great sleep. Here at Four Star, we’ve spent decades developing and providing you with a variety of unparalleled sleep accessories designed to improve your sleep health exponentially. Contact us today to learn more!