QUEEN VICTORIA
Age: 124
7813 days old here
Total Posts: 26285
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Lahore, Pakistan
Who Is At Risk For Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common disorder. One in 3 adults occasionally has insomnia. One in 10 adults has chronic insomnia. Insomnia affects women more often than men, and it can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people. People especially prone to insomnia include those who are:
Under a lot of stress
Depressed or who have other emotional distress
Working at night or having frequent major shifts in their work hours
Traveling long distances with time changes (jet lag)
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia?
The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling and/or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep. The lack of sleep can cause others symptoms, such as:
Waking up feeling tired or not well rested
Feeling tired or very sleepy during the day
Having trouble focusing on tasks
Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable
How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?
Your doctor will usually diagnose insomnia based on your medical history, sleep history, a physical exam, and a sleep study if the cause of your insomnia is unclear.
Medical History
Your doctor will ask questions to find out whether there is a medical cause for your insomnia. These include questions about whether you:
Have any new or ongoing health problems
Have painful injuries or health conditions (such as arthritis)
Take any medicines (over–the–counter or prescription)
QUEEN VICTORIA
Age: 124
7813 days old here
Total Posts: 26285
Points: 0
Location:
Lahore, Pakistan
Overview
Insomnia is a common health problem. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Long–term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable; have trouble paying attention, learning, and remembering; and not do your best on the job or at school. Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family.
Insomnia can be mild to severe depending on how often it occurs and for how long. Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights per week for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short–term or acute insomnia.
Outlook
Secondary insomnia often resolves or improves without treatment if you can eliminate its cause. This is especially true if the problem can be corrected soon after it starts. Better sleep habits and lifestyle changes often help relieve insomnia. You may need to see a doctor or sleep specialist to get the best relief for insomnia that is persistent or for which the cause of the sleep problem is unclear.
What Causes Insomnia?
Causes of Secondary Insomnia
Secondary insomnia is often a symptom of an emotional, neurological, or other medical disorder, or of another sleep disorder.
The emotional disorders that can cause secondary insomnia include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of common neurological disorders that can cause secondary insomnia.
A number of other diseases and conditions can cause secondary insomnia, including:
Conditions that cause chronic pain, such as arthritis and headache disorders
Conditions that cause difficulty breathing, such as asthma or heart failure
Overactive thyroid
Gastrointestinal disorders, such as heartburn
Stroke
Sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, also can cause secondary insomnia. In addition, secondary insomnia can be a side–effect of certain medicines or commonly used substances, including:
Caffeine or other stimulants
Tobacco or other products with nicotine
Alcohol or other sedatives
Certain asthma medicines (for example, theophylline) and some allergy and cold medicines
Beta blockers (medicines used to treat heart conditions)
Causes of Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia is not due to another medical or emotional condition and typically occurs for periods of at least 1 month. Whether some people are born with a greater chance of having insomnia is not clear yet. A number of life changes can trigger primary insomnia, including:
Major or long–lasting stress and emotional upset
Travel or other factors such as work schedules that disrupt your sleep routine
Even after these causes go away, the insomnia might stay. Trouble sleeping may persist because of habits formed to deal with the lack of sleep. These habits include taking naps, worrying about sleep, or going to bed early.
