Everyone has had insomnia at some time in their lives; it is usually one or two wakeful nights that may be due to jet lag or stress. This type of insomnia is known as short-term insomnia, and while irritating, it is usually not a serious medical problem. However, if you are unable to sleep on a regular basis you may have a more serious condition and should seek professional help.
There are three types of insomnia: transient (short-term), acute and chronic (long-term). Transient insomnia lasts for less than a week and may be caused by stress, worry or environmental factors. This type of insomnia usually stops when the cause is resolved or our bodies have had a chance to adjust to changes. Acute insomnia, lasting for longer than one week but less than one month, is also a fairly common form of insomnia. If acute insomnia is left untreated it could become chronic insomnia, which can be cause for concern. Chronic insomnia lasts for longer than one month and can put the sufferer at risk for the dangerous side effects of sleeplessness.
There are many causes of insomnia, some are easily recognized and therefore, easily remedied. Such simple things as bad sleeping habits such as napping during the day, or not keeping a regular sleeping schedule may be the cause of insomnia. Alcohol, tobacco and stimulants are all something we can cut down on or quit altogether that will allow us to sleep better. Certain medications prescribed for allergies, asthma or heart conditions can keep you awake at night. Sleep disorders or other illness can cause insomnia; a visit to the doctor may be necessary to take care of these causes. Obviously, noise will keep us awake; and of course, stress is one of the main causes of insomnia.
The first step to curing insomnia is to attend to any of the causes you are able to discern; this may mean skipping your afternoon nap or sleeping with earplugs if the neighbors are noisy. If your problem is not so easily fixed there are other things that may be of benefit. Herbal supplements such as kava kava, chamomile or valerian may be helpful. Decreasing stress through exercise may make falling asleep quicker and easier. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may help you learn to reduce anxiety and replace worries with positive thoughts. The most effective form of this therapy is several sessions with a trained therapist, however there are online versions that may work and cost less. And of course, there are medications your physician may prescribe to help you sleep. There may be serious side effects associated with these medications and they should only be taken as a last resort.
No matter what type of insomnia you suffer from, you are not alone. Most everyone has experienced insomnia at some point; the most important thing is to find out why you are not sleeping and what you can do to stop it. If the simple cures discussed above don’t work for you, it may be wise to schedule an appointment and discuss your insomnia with your doctor.