Top Five Conditions That Can Cause Insomnia
January 9th, 2009

Almost everyone has battled with at least a short-term case of insomnia. Some people may be more prone to either transient or long-term, chronic insomnia. Here are the top five conditions that can cause insomnia.

1. Stress, anxiety, and depression. The undisputed number one cause of insomnia is excessive stress, anxiety, and depression. Almost everyone has experienced transient insomnia the night before a job interview, big presentation, wedding, or other significant personal event. Transient insomnia usually passes after the stress-inducing event has been overcome. Chronic insomnia is more serious because it can affect an individual for an extended period of time. Persistent stress at work or home can lead to chronic insomnia. Anxiety and depressive disorders are another major source for chronic insomnia.

2. Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, night leg disorders, and other sleep disorders. One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia is the presence of one or more sleep disorders. Sleep disorders can severely disrupt sleep patterns and interfere with an individual's quality of life.

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders (after excessive snoring and chronic insomnia). A person with sleep apnea will stop breathing several times during the course of a night's sleep. The pauses in breathing last about ten seconds, and can occur up to 30 times a night. A person with sleep apnea may not be aware of their condition. But the cumulative effect of waking up several times a night can cause them to lose sleep, leading many sleep apnea patients to conclude they are suffering from chronic insomnia.

Restless leg syndrome is another sleep disorder that can cause severe chronic insomnia. Individuals with restless leg syndrome will experience crawling sensations on their limbs, especially their calves and ankles. The symptoms of restless leg syndrome become magnified during long periods of inactivity, so sufferers will usually experience the majority of symptoms during the night. Individuals with restless leg syndrome can have a difficult time falling and staying asleep, and may experience significant discomfort. People with restless leg syndrome often experience involuntary jerking of their legs during the course of the night. It's no surprise that restless leg syndrome often causes chronic insomnia and daytime fatigue.

3. Environmental disturbances. Environmental factors such as light, noise, temperature, and partner's sleep habits can severely disrupt the quantity and quality of sleep. Excessive light at night has been shown to disrupt sleep. Very bright artificial light should be avoided, and sensitive sleepers should even avoid dim artificial lighting. Insomnia has also been linked to lack of sufficient light during the day. Studies have shown that individuals who expose themselves to bright daylight may suffer from significantly less sleep disturbances than those who do not get bright daylight.

Noise can obviously also adversely affect a person's ability to get restful sleep. People who live near busy city streets or next to noisy businesses or neighbors may have difficulty achieving a good night's rest. Temperatureâ€"too cool or too warmâ€"is another common cause of insomnia. It is recommended that individuals suffering from chronic insomnia experiment with the temperature of their sleeping area until they find the most comfortable sleep setting.

Another common environmental factor that can lead to insomnia has to do with the sleeping arrangements and sleeping partners. A partner's sleeping habits can have a detrimental effect on their bedmates ability to achieve a restful night's sleep. Loud snoring, tossing, and other nighttime habits can alter significantly the amount and quality of a person's sleep. For instance, if one person enjoys watching television in bed or reading before bed, the other person's ability to fall asleep easily and to remain asleep may become compromised.

4. Overuse of alcohol, stimulants, and sleeping aids. The consumption of alcohol, stimulants, and overuse of sleeping aids has been linked insomnia. Alcohol should be avoided several hours before bedtime. Stimulants such as caffeine and cigarettes should also be avoided. Research has shown that the overuse of sleeping pills can also compromise their ability to be effective, and lead to chronic insomnia.

5. The presence of a chronic medical condition, such as arthritis, kidney problems, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Many medical conditions have been shown to cause insomnia. Medical conditions that cause pain, such as arthritis and kidney disorders, usually cause insomnia. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease have also been linked to insomnia. Many times, insomnia may be triggered by medications used to control the medical condition

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