Insomnia Instigators; Causes And Concerns
January 9th, 2009

Insomnia can be described in several different ways. It is the failure to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia can also be described as the inability of waking up from your sleep feeling rested and refreshed. The most popular definition of insomnia can be described as a hybrid of those first two explanations. Insomnia is a condition in which an individual fails to get sufficient sleep in order to feel rested. Regardless of which definition fits you the best, millions of people suffer from it. You can be affected for just a few nights or suffer for years. Long-term insomnia is not the norm however. Rather, many people might suffer insomnia intermittently, depending on the stress in their lives or a particular health condition.

If you are not waking up feeling rested or you have difficulty falling asleep, you just might have insomnia. But do you have any idea of other symptoms that could indicate insomnia? Here is a brief list:

Feeling irritable or being in a bad mood

Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep

Waking multiple times at night or waking up too early

Concentration difficulties or daytime grogginess

Sleep that is unfulfilling and not restful

Without paying heed to your insomnia and seeking treatment, you could end up a variety of health and life issues. You could be more susceptible to illnesses or take longer to get over an illness. Depression can develop in people who do derive enough rest from their sleep. When you sleep, it should be rejuvenating and restful. If this is not the case, you have to examine your life and try to determine the underlying causes of your insomnia.

For many people with intermittent insomnia, the biggest contributor to this sleep condition is stress. Sometimes, it could be related to work or being unemployed. Other times, it could be something personal like having a baby, a death in the family or divorce. These are the more obvious insomnia instigators. But what if your work and personal life is going along pretty well and you still have sleep issues? A physical by your doctor is probably in order. You could have an underlying medical condition that is hindering your sleep. Allergies and asthma are two culprits as are sleep apnea and headaches. The medications you take for illnesses like diabetes or heart conditions could also be a factor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of the medications you take.

There are a number of techniques and ideas to help you get through your insomnia. It is just a matter of determining what might best work with those insomnia instigators. If it is stress-related, behavior modification techniques could be beneficial. These could be anything from changing your sleeping environment to visual imagery to strict bed scheduling. Yoga and other exercises along with deep breathing techniques also help. But what if it is related to health issues, specifically some medications you take? It is not always in your best interests to change medications or stop them all together. When this is the scenario, you might find sleep medications work best to get you through the insomnia.

While you are working through the various techniques and tips to try to combat your insomnia, there are a few things you can do that might help make your situation more conducive to sleep. For instance, stop drinking any liquids at least two hours before bedtime. Potty breaks are one of the problems that contribute to insomnia. Limit your caffeine intake as well as alcohol and smoking. Try not to take naps and institute some form of exercise in your daily activities. Take the television out of the bedroom. Focus on the fact that the bedroom is only for sleeping and other extra-curricular activities. And speaking of those extra-curricular activities, sex is a great stress release and just might help you in the snoozing department.

If you have trouble falling or staying asleep for any number of reasons, consider that you are suffering from insomnia. Keep a diary or journal of your daily sleep habits for a few weeks. When you visit a doctor about your possible insomnia, the journal is very helpful in pinpointing possible triggers and can help in determining the best course of action for combating that insomnia so you can get a good night's sleep

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