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Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders, impacting individuals of all ages. This condition is characterised by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up overly early and being unable to return to sleep. Insomnia affects one’s physical health, mental well-being, and general quality of life. Although short-term sleep disturbances are prevalent, your everyday functioning can still be affected long-term due to chronic insomnia.
An Overview of Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by persistent difficulties with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality, despite sufficient opportunities for sleep. It can be categorised into short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) insomnia. Acute insomnia normally happens because of stress, life changes, or temporary illness, while chronic insomnia persists for at least three nights a week over three months or beyond.
Difficulty Falling Asleep
Many insomniacs lie awake for long periods; they are unable to sleep despite feeling tired.
Constant Night-Time Awakenings
People may wake up several times at night and struggle to return to sleep.
Early Morning Awakenings
Some people wake up far earlier than they planned, as they cannot go back to sleep even though they need more rest.
Non-Restorative Sleep
Despite having a seemingly sufficient sleep duration, the sleep may not feel refreshing or restorative for an insomniac.
Daytime Impairments
Prevalent daytime symptoms include fatigue, irritability, mood disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and poor memory.
Possible Causes of Insomnia
There is no sole cause of insomnia; it can stem from many psychological, physical, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Knowing these can help personalise treatment plans that are effective for you.
Stress and Anxiety
Work pressure, money concerns, family issues, or trauma may cause racing thoughts that keep you from falling asleep.
Depression and Mood Disorders
Mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are normally connected to poor sleep.
Medical Conditions
Long-term pain, asthma, heartburn, overactive thyroid, menopause, and neurodegenerative disorders can disrupt sleep cycles.
Medications
Certain medications, such as antidepressants, decongestants, corticosteroids, and stimulants, may have side effects that affect sleep.
Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol
Sleep onset can be delayed due to stimulants—caffeine and nicotine. Alcohol, though initially a sedative, can interfere with sleep cycles later in the night.
Poor Sleep Habits
Infrequent sleep schedules, using screens late at night, heavy meals before bed, and an uncomfortable sleep setting lead to insomnia.
Travel or Shift Work
Constant travel across time zones or working night shifts can interfere with your circadian rhythm, leading to sleep problems.
Health Risks of Insomnia
Insomnia is not just a nighttime annoyance—it can cause severe health complications if it remains untreated. Long-term sleep deprivation affects almost every system in the body.
Weakened Immune System
Lack of sleep damages immune function, increasing vulnerability to infections and slowing recovery.
Elevated Risk of Chronic Diseases
Insomnia is connected to conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Mental Health Disorders
Continuous insomnia can exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety or even initiate new episodes.
Hormonal Imbalance
Sleep regulates numerous hormones, including those that govern appetite and stress. Weight gain and metabolic dysfunction might result from disrupted sleep.
Poor Cognitive Function
Insomnia impacts concentration, attention, decision-making, and memory retention, decreasing work productivity and elevating accident risk.
Treatments for Insomnia
Insomnia can usually be effectively treated through a mix of behavioural therapy, lifestyle changes, and medical interventions. Finding the correct treatment depends on the cause and seriousness of your symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
CBT-I is an organised, research-based method that assists in detecting and changing the ideas and actions that lead to insomnia.
Relaxation Techniques
Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can soothe anxiety and improve sleep initiation.
Medications
In certain cases, doctors may prescribe temporary sleep aids or medications for underlying conditions causing insomnia. However, these are usually used as a short-term solution.
Treating Underlying Conditions
An essential part of treatment is addressing medical or psychological issues that cause insomnia. This may involve hormone therapy, pain management, or sleep apnoea treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can insomnia resolve on its own?
- How can I tell if I'm experiencing a few poor nights or have insomnia?
- Can insomnia only be treated with medication?
- Can children and teenagers experience insomnia?
- Can children and teenagers experience insomnia?
Acute insomnia usually goes away on its own without treatment. However, chronic insomnia normally requires a targeted intervention to detect and manage underlying causes.
If you find it challenging to fall and stay asleep at least three nights per week for more than three months, it may be categorised as chronic insomnia.
No. In fact, it is more effective to go through cognitive behavioural therapy and lifestyle adjustments in the long term compared to medication.
Yes. Children and teens can develop insomnia because of stress, academic pressure, or poor sleep habits. If it continues, it should be assessed by a doctor.
Hormonal fluctuations, like during menopause, pregnancy, or menstrual cycles, can notably affect sleep patterns and lead to insomnia.
Schedule an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals
Insomnia may start off as a tiny inconvenience, but it can have severe consequences on your physical, emotional, and mental health in the long run. Insomnia can deplete your energy, interfere with your ability to concentrate, and make daily living difficult, regardless of the cause—stress, lifestyle, or underlying medical conditions. The longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, depression, and diabetes.
Do not wait—schedule your appointment today and begin your journey toward better sleep. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. You may also schedule an appointment via our website or download our My Health 360 application which can be obtained at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
