What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a disorder in which one finds it hard falling or staying asleep. It could also mean one not getting enough sleep at night but feels sleepy during the day. This is normally detected by one’s self (self-detectable) and doesn’t need to be tested in the laboratory before one knows he or she has Insomnia. Insomnia is a disorder that affects millions of people globally all around the world with more than 1.5 million cases per year in Nigeria.
According to centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults need a minimum of 7-9 hours of sleep per day depending on one’s age. This condition can be short-termed or long-termed. Short term or acute Insomnia lasts from a night to a few weeks. Long term lasts from at least three nights.
Who is an Insomniac?
An Insomniac is one who has problems falling or staying asleep. They may persistently wake up so early which can cause:
· Sleepiness during the day
· Extreme fatigue or drowsiness
· Prolonged sleep patterns
· Mood swings, anxiety and irritability
· Sluggishness or Laziness
Also, Insomnia may lead to lifelong build up of diseases such as:
· Obesity
· Depression
· Diabetes
· Cardiovascular Disease
Insomnia can limit or slow down a person’s activities.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia can be classified in different categories. They include:
By Cause
· By Duration
· By Severity
Classification by Cause:
· Primary Insomnia: This means one’s sleep issues aren’t related to any other health problem.
· Secondary Insomnia: This means one has problem falling or staying asleep due to an health condition such as cancer, asthma, substance abuse etc.
Classification by Duration:
· Acute or Short term Insomnia: Lasts for a short while. It comes and goes.
· Chronic or Long term Insomnia: Lasts for a long time. It can Lasts for months or years.
Classification by Severity
· Mild Insomnia: Ranges from lack of sleep that results to weariness.
· Moderate Insomnia: May disrupt daily activities.
· Severe Insomnia: Marks a significance on one’s life.
Other factors considered by Doctors identifying the type of Insomnia includes:
· If the person wakes up early
· Has issue falling asleep
· Has issue staying asleep
· Getting a nap
What are the symptoms of Insomnia?
These are signs that mean one has asides having problems, other issues that could lead to Insomnia include:
· Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
· Sluggishness at work
· Difficulty concentrating
· Anxiety, Depression, Irritability
· Gastro-Intestinal problems
Risk factors of Insomnia
Insomnia affects women more than men and as well as older people more than younger people. Women and young people are at higher risk of having Insomnia. It can occur at any age. They include:
· Chronic illness
· Mental/ Physical Health Problems
· Working at shifts
· Menopause
· Family History
· Being Pregnant
· Use of substance or alcohol
What causes Insomnia?
Insomnia can be caused by random factors which could be physical or psychological. Most times, it could be stress which is temporary or an underlying health problem.
Causes include:
· Stress which could be as a result of work, life events, loss of a loved one or job, divorce.
· Noise, Light or a change in Temperature ( cold or hot).
· Work Shifts
· Mental Health Issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder.
· Health conditions such as chronic pain.
· Hormonal changes due to Menopause
· Use of too much technological gadgets before bed. This could increase chances of having Insomnia.
· Medications such as corticosteroids, stations and so on
How to diagnose Insomnia:
A sleep specialist or your doctor can help diagnose for Insomnia by:
· Asking for or about your medical history, sleep patterns or history
Performing a physical exam or interrogation
· Request a sleep diary to keep track of your sleeping patterns
· Talk to your bed partner as regards your sleep pattern
How well to prevent Insomnia:
Can be otherwise referred to as Home-care solutions.
Below are some tips:
Sleeping at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each day this creating a sleep pattern.
· Avoid using phones or other devices before going to bed. The radiation from the device makes it hard for one to sleep.
· Avoid taking caffeine, alcohol and nicotine late in the day. They are stimulants that keeps one from falling asleep or awake.
· Exercising regularly but should not be within the limit of 3-4 hours before bed.
· Avoid eating heavy meals late at night.
· Make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature before bed.
· Develop a routine before bed. Example listen to music, take a bath, read books etc.
Treating Insomnia
For an acute Insomnia, a sleep specialist or doctor may prescribe sleeping pills for you.
For Chronic Insomnia, therapies are recommended which could be behavioural and help construct your sleep patterns.
Other treatments include:
· Counseling
· Melatonin; though no strong evidence that it is a proven aid.
· Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It creates focus and increases one’s motivation and energy to work.
In conclusion, insomnia can be managed and properly treated. The most important thing is reporting symptoms as early as possible.
naturally like your web site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I抣l definitely come back again.
I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks , I抣l try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks Nonetheless I am experiencing problem with ur rss . Don抰 know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss problem? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
I really wanted to jot down a remark so as to express gratitude to you for all the precious tricks you are sharing on this website. My prolonged internet lookup has now been recognized with reliable points to write about with my company. I ‘d admit that we site visitors are undoubtedly lucky to dwell in a fantastic place with so many marvellous people with insightful techniques. I feel very much fortunate to have come across your entire site and look forward to so many more awesome times reading here. Thanks again for everything.
We are fortunate to have such a detailed reader and follower like yourself. Thank you!
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂
Thanks! I am so happy to learn that.
It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this publish and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles referring to this article. I wish to learn more issues about it!
Thank you so much for your suggestion. We look forward to including them in our future publications.
hello!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
Yes. Sure. Please go on.
Thanks for the guidelines you have shared here. Yet another thing I would like to talk about is that computer memory specifications generally go up along with other breakthroughs in the know-how. For instance, whenever new generations of processor chips are introduced to the market, there is usually an equivalent increase in the scale demands of all pc memory plus hard drive space. This is because the program operated by means of these processors will inevitably rise in power to take advantage of the new technology.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later on. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your web site by chance, and I am shocked why this twist of fate didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
Great write-up, I抦 regular visitor of one抯 site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
I have noticed that car insurance organizations know the automobiles which are prone to accidents as well as other risks. Additionally, these people know what form of cars are prone to higher risk and the higher risk they’ve already the higher your premium price. Understanding the uncomplicated basics involving car insurance will let you choose the right types of insurance policy that could take care of the needs you have in case you get involved in any accident. Appreciate your sharing the actual ideas on your blog.
Thank you so much for providing individuals with remarkably splendid opportunity to read critical reviews from this website. It is usually so awesome plus packed with a great time for me personally and my office co-workers to search your web site really thrice in a week to learn the latest tips you will have. And definitely, I am just actually contented with all the attractive tricks you give. Some 2 facts in this article are in fact the most suitable we’ve ever had.
I抦 not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Whats up very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally厈I am satisfied to search out a lot of useful info right here in the submit, we want develop extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specially the final section 🙂 I handle such info much. I used to be looking for this particular info for a very lengthy time. Thank you and good luck.
I抳e recently started a website, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
Good post. I study one thing tougher on different blogs everyday. It’s going to always be stimulating to learn content from different writers and observe somewhat one thing from their store. I抎 choose to make use of some with the content material on my weblog whether you don抰 mind. Natually I抣l provide you with a link in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.