Ask A Question About Sleep Study

You are here

Insomnia – What You Need To Know

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects 25% of all people at some point in their life. Here’s how you can identify many of the symptoms of insomnia and what to do if you suffer from sleep deprivation.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder which is seen and shown in four basic behaviors. The most common of these behaviors is the inability to fall asleep at any time during the day. A lot of people suffering from this disorder have a difficulty in remaining asleep. They may wake up too early or experience very poor quality of sleep.

Insomnia Symptoms

Most symptoms of insomnia are related to a lack of sleep. A person experiencing this insomnia may feel irritated or grumpy throughout the day, have trouble concentrating on any type of work, be unable to perform activities that are a part of their daily routine and have a tendency to feel sleepy, without getting a restful night’s sleep.

While many people may experience the symptoms of insomnia due to a lack of sleep, because of their work schedule or simply staying up too late, this does not always mean that they have insomnia. The lifestyle that some people have can cause them to suffer insomnia-like symptoms without actually suffering from the condition.

An occasional poor night’s sleep also does not mean that one has insomnia. Often, poor sleep may simply be a result of stress. For most people, as this stress alleviates and subsides, the sleep usually becomes more restful and sleep problems go away naturally. For some people however, these symptoms will start to regularly repeat, worsen, and eventually develop into actual insomnia. Insomnia that results from depression or stress may require additional treatment.

Insomnia Causes

Sleep deprivation and insomnia can both result from various psychological and physiological causes. The most common and repeating psychological causes that can cause insomnia are stress, anxiety and depression. Often, the lack of sleep resulting from insomnia makes stress, anxiety and depression worse, creating a vicious cycle that may be difficult to break without therapy.

There are many physiological causes of insomnia including medical conditions like hypertension, heart conditions, and asthma. Hormonal changes can also trigger insomnia, especially in women during menopause, and pain from injuries or general illnesses can also become a cause or trigger of insomnia.

While insomnia is often caused by or made worse by other sleep disorders; medications, jet lag, stimulants such as caffeine, and trying to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings such as a new house, a hotel room or even different pillow can often trigger temporary insomnia.

Insomnia Treatment

Often, simply making changes to your immediate environment and lifestyle can help resolve insomnia and sleep deprivation . If you are on specific medications that can cause insomnia, changing these medications may also help you return to a restful night’s sleep.

Although many sleep inducing medications such as sleeping pills are available, most forms of insomnia can be treated without having to resort to medication. Behavioral therapy and counseling for anxiety, stress and depression may help improve getting a restful night’s sleep and most treatments for insomnia are directed toward identifying the specific cause or causes of the condition and then diagnosing the best treatment based on the individual patient’s needs.

How to Know If You Have Insomnia?

If you have trouble consistently falling asleep and wake up feeling drained and tired even after lying in bed for the whole night, this may be an indication of insomnia. While these symptoms may be related to depression and anxiety, if the symptoms persist despite regular opportunities for good night’s sleep, then you are most likely suffering from Insomnia.

Other indications of insomnia include an inability to pay attention or concentrate, fatigue and lethargy, lack of motivation, poor performance at work or school, headaches, digestive distress, sleepiness during the day, mood changes, tensions, headaches and even regular frustration at the fact that you are unable to fall asleep despite your best efforts.

When To See An Insomnia Specialist?

If you are unable to regularly get good sleep, you should discuss the condition with your primary healthcare provider. In many cases making simple changes to your lifestyle may help overcome insomnia. However, if the treatment measures suggested by your doctor are not working out, you see a sleep specialist in order to have a sleep study performed for a proper diagnosis of your condition.

For more information about insomnia treatment options, call The Los Angeles Sleep Study Institute at 1-855-690-0563.