Faq

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that refers to any difficulty sleeping, including problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or returning to sleep after waking even when you have the opportunity to do so.

Consequently, people with insomnia often do not get enough sleep, and the sleep they do get is not refreshing.

The word insomnia itself comes from the Latin “in somus” (no sleep), and it is estimated this common disorder affects about 30% of adults.

The main symptoms of insomnia are difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, waking during the night, and having problems falling back asleep or waking up earlier in the morning.

As a result, people with insomnia often do not sleep much, which can result in the following symptoms:
– Sleep is nonrestorative
– Fatigue
– Daytime tiredness
– Lack of energy
– Difficulty concentrating or thinking
– Mood changes
– Irritability
– “Acting out” with impulsiveness or aggression
– Accidents or mistakes
– Problems at work or school
– Difficulty with relationships
– Frustration about sleeping

Women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men. Hormones seem to be the culprit. Hormonal changes women experience during their menstrual cycle and menopause can impact their sleep. During perimenopause(the years before menopause), women often have hot flashes and night sweats that disturb sleep.

Pregnancy is another sleep disruptor for women. The changes are hormonal, emotional, and physical. Later in pregnancy women may waken during the night to urinate, or because of physical discomfort.

Women are also more likely to develop medical conditions that cause secondary insomnia such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorders  such as restless leg syndrome (RLS). Women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men. Hormones seem to be the culprit. Hormonal changes women experience during their menstrual cycle and menopause can impact their sleep. During perimenopause (the years before menopause) women often have hot flashes and night sweats that disturb sleep.

Pregnancy is another sleep disruptor for women. The changes are hormonal, emotional, and physical. Later in pregnancy women may waken during the night to urinate, or because of physical discomfort.

Women are also more likely to develop medical conditions that cause secondary insomnia such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Secondary insomnia is insomnia that is a result of another problem such as a medical condition or medication.

It is the most common form of insomnia, affecting about 80% of sufferers. Problems that may cause secondary insomnia include:
– Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
– Pain
– Illness, such as some heart and lung diseases
– Medications
– Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol
– Another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
– Changes in sleep routine or shift work
– Poor sleep environment

Chronic insomnia is defined as insomnia that occurs at least three nights per week for three months or longer.

It affects 10% of people with insomnia. One possible cause for chronic insomnia is a poor sleep behavioral pattern, such as bedtime routines that do not cue your body to ready itself for sleep, or your sleep schedule does not sync with your biological clock. Another possible cause for chronic insomnia is when it is secondary insomnia, caused by another chronic medical or psychological issue that is not well-managed.

Insomnia that is short-term is called acute insomnia and it usually only lasts for a few days or a few weeks. This type of insomnia is generally the result of life circumstances, usually stressful ones such as divorce, death of a loved one, job loss, or an upcoming major exam. It could also be due to physical pain or discomfort, a bout with a cold, some medications, or jetlag. Acute insomnia may also be caused by the sleep environment being too hot or cold, too noisy, or not dark enough.

Sleep hygiene is the practice of promoting regular sleep habits.

Good sleep hygiene habits benefit everyone by promoting restful sleep and daytime alertness, and preventing sleep disorders. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following tips to improve sleep:
– Go to bed at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time each morning
– Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature that is not too hot or too cold
– Use your bed only for sleeping and not for watching TV, reading, or listening to music
– Keep the bedroom a ‘gadget-free’ zone, and remove the TV, computer, tablet, cell phone, and gaming consoles
– Don’t eat large meals close to bedtime.