peterhutch asked:


 

Insomnia is a symptom of a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or “rest their mind” for more than a few minutes at a time. Both organic and non-organic insomnia constitute a sleep disorder.

Insomnia Causes

The most common psychological problems include anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness.

Many people have insomnia. People who have insomnia may not be able to fall asleep. They may wake up during the night and not be able to fall back asleep, or they may wake up too early in the morning.

Insomnia contributes to excessive daytime tiredness, which in turn may be responsible for accidents, recurrent infections, poor concentration, irritability, work and relationship problems and a general inability to cope.

Anxiety, a condition in which individuals feel increased tension, apprehension, and feelings of helplessness, fear, worry, and uncertainty. This may be due to the effects that other people at work have on us, financial worries, concerns over relationships outside work or numerous other causes.

Symptoms

Insomnia symptoms may include:

Difficulty falling asleep at night

Waking up during the night

Waking up too early

Daytime fatigue or sleepiness

Daytime irritability

It’s common for older adults to sleep less deeply and for less time than they did earlier in life, and to experience fragmented sleep. However, these normal changes in the sleep patterns of older adults do not mean that they should expect inadequate rest and to awaken feeling unrefreshed.8 Routine poor-quality sleep due to health problems, medication use, and major life changes can lead to chronic sleep problems.

Diagnosis of Insomnia

Surprisingly, a sleep study is not routinely recommended for those complaining of insomnia. The reason is that when a sleep study is performed in someone suffering from insomnia, it does not generally give any new information; it simply confirms that the patient is having trouble sleeping. The best way to find the cause for insomnia is by careful history taking. Assessment of recent onset insomnia should focus on acute personal and medical problems.

Treatment

The treatment of insomnia depends on its cause and severity. If insomnia results from another disorder, treatment of that disorder may improve sleep. For most people who have insomnia, some simple changes in lifestyle, such as following a regular sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine after lunch time, can improve sleep.

In addition to daytime tiredness or fatigue, chronic insomnia can be associated with a complaint of compromised intellectual function, mood disturbance, or an increase in physical complaints (e.g., headaches and gastrointestinal problems). Beyond these outcomes, there is now considerable evidence that individuals with chronic insomnia have an increased risk of psychiatric illness (especially major depressive disorder) and substance abuse and there is mounting evidence that insomnia is associated with absenteeism from work, higher health care costs, and reduced quality of life.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy helps patients change thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep. Treatment methods are often used in combination for increased effect.

 

You may find that if you are unable to fall asleep or wake up in the night, you spend a lot of time in bed trying unsuccessfully to sleep. If so, you may benefit from a sleep restriction program that initially allows only a few hours of sleep during the night. Gradually this time is increased until a normal sleep period is achieved.

 

Antihistamines

 

Diphenhydramine (for example, Sominex, Nytol) and doxylamine (for example, Unisom) are antihistamines that are currently marketed as OTC sleep aids. Diphenhydramine is the only agent that is considered to be safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration. The safety and effectiveness of doxylamine has not been evaluated adequately for FDA approval.

peterhutch asked:


What is insomnia?

Insomnia is the inability to get high-quality sleep. It can last a day or two, a month, or even months on end. Because different individuals need different amounts of sleep, insomnia is not defined by the number of hours you sleep or by how quickly you fall asleep. Instead, it depends on the quality of your sleep, and how you feel after sleeping. Even if you are sleeping eight hours a night, if you’re still feeling drowsy and fatigued during the day, you may be experiencing insomnia.

Insomnia may be classified by how long the symptoms are present.

Transient insomnia usually is due to situational changes such as travel, extreme climate changes, and stressful events.

Short-term insomnia usually is due to ongoing stressful events, medication side effects, medical conditions, and lasts for one to three weeks

Chronic insomnia (long-term insomnia) often results from depression or substance abuse and continues for more than three weeks.

Insomnia affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age.

Insomnia is also a problem that is prevalent among people with HIV/AIDS.

What are the main causes of insomnia?

psychological health problems such as stress or anxiety

physical health problems such as asthma or pain

medicines like those taken for asthma, vertigo and depression

jet lag (for more information see Related topics)

A number of other diseases and conditions can cause secondary insomnia

environmental factors such as noise, an uncomfortable bed or being too hot or cold

lifestyle habits, eg eating late at night, drinking alcohol or using stimulants such as nicotine

Exposure to stress may contribute to the development or worsening of insomnia. Relationship problems, a chronically ill child, or an unrewarding career may contribute to sleep problems. If you suffer from these types of stresses, you should seek counseling to gain a new outlook on your troubles and more control in your life.

People who work alternating shifts may develop insomnia because of a continually fluctuating sleep-wake schedule. For example, if a person works five nights a week and then works a day schedule for the next days, insomnia may result from changes in circadian rhythm.

Caffeine most commonly disrupts sleep. While a drink or two before bed may help a person relax, more than that can lead to fragmented sleep and wakefulness a few hours later.

The levels of melatonin, the hormone that helps control sleep, decrease as a person ages. By age 60, the body produces very little melatonin.

Long-term use of sleep medications. If you need sleep medications for longer than several weeks, talk with your doctor, preferably one who specializes in sleep medicine.

Stimulants. Prescription drugs, including some antidepressants, high blood pressure and corticosteroid medications, can interfere with sleep.

Heavy, spicy, or high-sugar foods eaten at night can cause indigestion strong enough to wake you.

Depression and sleep problems are closely linked: insomnia can be an early sign of depression.