Insomnia - Symptoms, Treatment, Causes & Types

Types of Insomnia

Insomnia can be caused by long-distance travel, changing time zones, particular medications, a change in lifestyle, emotional shock or grief, or simply prompted by what you consume close to bedtime. Other types of insomnia can be triggered by existing or underlying medical conditions.

There are three types of Insomnia:

• Acute insomnia: Acute insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. It can last between a few days to a few weeks.
• Transient insomnia: Transient insomnia is an extremely short-term type of insomnia that tends to last between a few days to a week. Transient insomnia is different in comparison to other types of insomnia as it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition that needs a doctor’s attention.
• Chronic insomnia: Chronic insomnia is long-term insomnia that leaves a person struggling to sleep three or more nights a week for many months.

Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is caused by several factors. Some common causes of insomnia are:

• Age
• Stress
• Jetlag
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Excessive caffeine
• Certain medications
• Poor sleeping habits
• Working night shifts
• Severe emotional shock
• Underlying medical conditions

Insomnia Risk Factors

It is not recommended to ignore signs of insomnia if symptoms persist & begin to interfere with your quality of life. A severe lack of sleep & not getting at least six hours of sleep every night can be dangerous.

These factors could increase your risk of getting insomnia:

Lifestyle habits

• Caffeine, alcohol, & tobacco consumption close to bedtime
• Mentally & physically strenuous activities before bedtime
• Working unusual or erratic hours, disrupting your body clock

Emotional stress

• Depression
• Long-term or sudden intense stress
• Grieving a loved one’s passing or illness
• Anxiety & overthinking when you’re trying to fall asleep

Jetlag

• Crossing time zones can make it difficult to fall asleep

Being 60 & older

• Advanced age can lead to trouble with falling asleep

Medical conditions & medication

• Certain types of medication can cause bouts of insomnia
• Certain chronic diseases & chronic pain can cause insomnia

Unpleasant sleep environment

• A switched on television or laptop screen can interfere with sleep quality
• A brightly lit or noisy environment can make it difficult to fall asleep
• A room that is too hot or cold can make it difficult to fall asleep
• Phone alerts can disturb light sleepers, making it difficult to fall back asleep

Insomnia Complications

A full eight to nine hours of sleep is recommended to stay physically & mentally healthy. Poor sleep or a lack of sleep can cause these complications:

• Tiredness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression
• Memory issues
• Concentration issues
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Decreased quality of life
• Slow reaction to your environment
• Poor quality of social relationships

Getting Diagnosed for Insomnia

Insomnia can occur when a lifestyle change, from jetlag to emotional shock, occurs. If you find yourself struggling to sleep for more than a week & that your lack of sleep is decreasing your quality of life, it’s time to consult a doctor.

A doctor will perform a physical exam & ask questions about your sleep pattern, ability to concentrate, & related topics to diagnose your condition