Most adults have experienced some form of acute insomnia that lasts for a few days, but when insomnia lasts for months or years it can have many adverse effects on one’s health. No matter what your age, insomnia is usually treatable.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep. The condition can be short-term (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). It may also come and go. Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. Insomnia affects women more than men and older people more than younger ones.
How much sleep do you need?
Everyone needs different amounts of sleep.
On average, we need:
• adults: 7 to 9 hours
• children: 9 to 13 hours
• toddlers and babies: 12 to 17 hours
You probably do not get enough sleep if you are constantly tired during the day.
What are some causes of insomnia?
Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be associated with other conditions. Chronic insomnia can be a result of stress, life events or habits that disrupt sleep. Treating the underlying cause can resolve the insomnia, but sometimes it can last for years.
Common causes of chronic insomnia include:
• Stress. Concerns about work, school, health, finances or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. Stressful life events or trauma — such as the death or illness of a loved one, divorce, or a job loss can also cause insomnia.
• Travel or work schedule. Your circadian rhythms act as an internal clock, guiding such things as your sleep-wake cycle, metabolism and body temperature. Disrupting your body’s circadian rhythms can lead to insomnia. Causes include jet lag from traveling across multiple time zones, working a late or early shift, or frequently changing shifts.
• Poor sleep habits. Poor sleep habits include an irregular bedtime schedule, naps, stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and using your bed for work, eating or watching TV. Computers, TVs, video games, smartphones or other screens just before bed can interfere with your sleep cycle.
• Eating too much late in the evening. Eating a heavy meal late at night could also cause insomnia.
• Chronic insomnia may also be associated with medical conditions or the use of certain drugs. Treating the medical condition may help improve sleep, but the insomnia may persist after the medical condition improves.
• Mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, may disrupt your sleep. Awakening too early can be a sign of depression. Insomnia often occurs with other mental health disorders as well.
• Medications. Many prescription drugs can interfere with sleep, as well as many over-the-counter medications.
• Medical conditions. Several medical disorders cause insomnia such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Sleep-related disorders. Sleep apnea can cause insomnia.
• Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Coffee, tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks are stimulants. Drinking them in the late afternoon or evening can cause insomnia. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but it prevents deeper stages of sleep and often causes awakening in the middle of the night.
Treatment
If you have insomnia for more than a few weeks, you should seek professional help. A detailed history and examination is required and your doctor might request a number of investigations to rule out other medical disorders. A number of treatment options might be recommended.
Changing your sleep habits and addressing any issues that may be associated with insomnia, such as stress, medical conditions or medications, can restore restful sleep for many people. If these measures do not work, your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, medications or both, to help improve relaxation and sleep.
What are some complications of insomnia?
Sleep is as important to your health as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically. People with insomnia report a lower quality of life compared with people who are sleeping well. Complications of insomnia may include:
• Lower performance on the job or at school
• Slowed reaction time while driving and a higher risk of accidents
• Mental health disorders, such as depression, an anxiety disorder or substance abuse
If you have insomnia you have an increased risk and severity of long-term diseases or conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Conclusion
Chronic insomnia should be treated to prevent long term health problems. Often simple changes in your habits can help with insomnia, but often professional help is needed. There are many treatment options available for treating chronic insomnia. It should be pointed out that the majority of people suffering from insomnia can be treated successfully.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-seven years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
