Updated on April 1, 2023
We’ve all heard of the term “insomnia.” It is one of the most popular buzzwords when it comes to discussing a lack of sleep. But, insomnia is also known as a sleep disorder. It is a major disruptive sleeping habit affecting millions of people of all ages around the world. Most people know it as the culprit for making it hard to fall asleep, tough to remain asleep or cause you to wake up early and not be ready to get back to sleep.
Insomnia will affect your energy, mood, health, work performance, and quality of life. It can place you at risk of injury or even injuring others. To understand why we suffer from insomnia, let’s take an in-depth look at the causes of the sleep disorder, which can range from psychiatric and medical conditions to depression, anxiety, and hormones.
Insomnia and Its Common Causes
Hormones
Changes in our levels of hormones will affect how well we sleep, for both men and women. Hormonal variations change along with your age. You need to grasp the connections between hormones and sleep to boost your sleep and well-being. Hormones manage a number of body procedures including growth, development, reproduction, responding to worry, metabolism, and strength.
Hormones are associated with sleep in many ways. Some hormones, like adrenaline, permit you to feel more alert and ready for action, therefore, hindering you from sleep. Doing quiet activities during the daytime, instead of stressful work tasks, prevents this adverse impact.
Depression
Depression is a medical condition that can cause serious sleep disorders for many people while unaffecting for others. Generally, poor mental health and depression will evoke mood changes, and psychological disturbance will make it harder to sleep. Anti-depressants and other medicines can be problematic too, causing insomnia, because of the relocation of hormones and physiology.
On the other hand, sleeping issues are also symptoms of depression. Patients with major depressive disorders have higher risks of severe sleep disorders. Studies have shown that sleep disorders in males and females alike will activate or worsen depression.
The symptoms of depression are low energy, loss of interest or motivation, disappointment, or despair. Depression and sleep disorders are treatable no matter which came first. Treatment for stress and poor mental health can be holistic or medicinal, but it’s essential to address these symptoms soon.
Anxiety problems
Sleepiness often disappears as soon as worries overtake the mind. Many grown-ups have minor sleeping troubles as a result of feeling worried or nervous, whereas, for others, it’s a pattern that hinders sleep regularly. Panic, past events memories, extravagant or expensive upcoming events, feeling pressured through obligations, and the stresses of everyday life are significant anxiety signs and symptoms that can bring about the sleeping disorder.
Anxiety is typically experienced at the early stages of insomnia. Once this persists for several nights, you would possibly begin to feel anxiousness, dread, or worry at simply the prospect of not sleeping, thus making you more anxious and escalating the situation furthermore. It’s like a vicious cycle that needs to be broken, perhaps with remedies such as medication or some other treatments, but is certainly the primary foundation to falling asleep faster.
Lifestyle
Your daily behavior and sleep patterns can trigger sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Poor bed etiquette or sleep routines and harmful lifestyles will generate sleep disorders without you realizing it. For example, watching t.v in bed before sleep or playing on smartphones can lead to sleepless nights. Also, too much alcohol or caffeine can disrupt sleep. Other lifestyle changes can be made to avoid lack of sleep, for example, using the bed for its designated use (sleeping!). Also, it should go without saying don’t eat sugary food or consume energy drinks for at least 3 hours before your bedtime.
As people become more health-conscious and busier at the same time, going to the gym is often a late evening occurrence. Some studies believe that exercising before sleeping can lead to insomnia. However, stated in a Harvard Medical School study it would suggest that you can exercise lightly late in the evening, provided you avoid vigorous exercise for at least one hour before going to bed.
Medical conditions
Various medical conditions, both minor and acute, can cause insomnia. A medical condition in itself can cause sleep disorders in some cases, whereas in other instances, the symptoms of the condition cause discomfort that can make it tough for someone to sleep.
Sinus issues, respiratory tract difficulties, endocrine cases, arthritis, asthma, neurologic affairs, chronic agony, and back pain are the most common examples of medical conditions that may lead to a sleep disorder.
Additionally, the medications which could be taken for certain medical issues, such as allergies, high blood pressure, thyroids, and depression, can be a cause of insomnia. Always read the leaflet which comes with the medicine. Although it may be a side effect you experience for the worse in terms of falling asleep, it may be a difficult balance to juggle if the treatment is for something much more serious. Staying safe is key, so always discuss new changes in your body with a doctor.
The Final Word
As you can see, insomnia has many causes, some of which are down to our own lifestyles and habits. Following some of these tips for improving sleep can perhaps lift this burden. However, other common causes which we didn’t discuss include sleeping near a snoring person, genetic conditions, and an over-active mind are also partly to blame for many people with insomnia. Sadly, there is nothing we can do to control these factors.
Insomnia can be mild for some, while for others, it can be life-threatening. If insomnia is affecting your health, you should seek medical help right away. There are plenty of medical procedures that may be undertaken to improve your sleep again. Consulting your physician to work out a course of action may be the vital step you need. Lack of sleep shouldn’t be accepted as the simplest way of life; you can see a doctor or sleep specialist to facilitate.