Insomnia is more than a bad night’s rest. It affects your daily function, your memory and even your ability to concentrate. If you read this post on why sleep really is that important, you know that your insomniatic habits need to end.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes trouble falling and/or staying asleep. It comes in two types, primary and secondary insomnia, and two degrees, acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) insomnia.

Primary insomniacs are those who have problems sleeping without being associated with any other health conditions. Secondary insomniacs are those who have sleep problems because of other health conditions, such as asthma, depression, cancer, etc.

Causes of Insomnia

The causes of insomnia depend on the degree.

Acute insomnia is caused from stress, illness, emotional/physical discomfort, environmental surroundings, or some medications.

Chronic insomnia is caused from depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and discomfort at night.

Symptoms of Insomnia

The most common symptoms are:

  • Tired during the day
  • General sleepiness
  • Irritability
  • Problems concentrating or remembering things
  • Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep at night
  • Waking up during the night
  • Feeling restless after sleeping

Treatment for Insomnia

There are a number of behavior therapies, prescription medications, and over-the-counter sleep aids to treat insomnia. Behavior therapies, such as cognitive therapy, relaxation techniques and stimulus control, are typically equal or more effective than prescription medications and over-the-counter sleep aids.

One of the more common behavior therapies is education on good sleeping habits. That means learning why you should have and need a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulating activities before sleep, and having a comfortable sleep environment.

 

You should see a doctor if your trouble sleeping affects your daily function. Your doctor may be able to determine what the cause of your insomnia is and help you treat it.

Do you have trouble sleeping? Call our office at 801-724-9840. Talk to you soon!