Insomnia is more common in our society than you might think. At any given time, up to one-third of adults are affected in some way. It can affect both children and teenagers.
Because of its prevalence, it is critical that we understand what it is and how it affects our health.
Given the prevalence of insomnia, it is not surprising that you have experienced it or know someone who has.
However, you may be surprised to learn that there are different types of insomnia, each with its own severity and impact on your health.
Let’s look at some of the causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for insomnia so we can better recognise and treat it in the future.
Read – A Comprehensive Guide to Get More Deep Sleep
What exactly is insomnia?
Is insomnia considered a sleep disorder? Yes, the answer is yes. It is a sleep disorder in which people have difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. It is the most common sleep disorder, and almost everyone has experienced it at some point in their lives.[1] Some people only have a short period of insomnia, while others have it for the rest of their lives.
A Summary of Sleep Insomnia Symptoms:
- Sleeping difficulties
- Sleeping difficulties
- Getting up very early in the morning and still feeling tired
- Memory and concentration problems
- Irritability and rage Low motivation and productivity
- Ineffective decision-making
- drowsiness during the day
Insomnia Classification by Cause
Identifying the cause is one method of distinguishing between types of insomnia. There are two major categories for this:
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia occurs when a person has difficulty sleeping that is not caused by any other mental or physical health problems. Other conditions either do not exist or do not contribute directly to it.
Secondary Insomnia
Secondary insomnia occurs when a person is unable to sleep due to another condition such as pain, stress, depression, illness, medication, or substance abuse.
Other Ways to Classify Insomnia
Primary and secondary insomnia can be distinguished by specific characteristics. The following is a list of the major subcategories and what distinguishes them.
Acute Insomnia
Acute insomnia causes sleeping problems that last only a short time. It is usually brought on by stress or a significant change in a person’s life, such as moving, changing jobs, or receiving bad news.[2] Other than time and patience, this type of insomnia often resolves on its own. It can last from a single night to several weeks.
Chronic Insomnia
Chronic insomnia causes sleeping problems that become a long-term pattern. Acute insomnia progresses to chronic insomnia when a person has difficulty sleeping for at least three nights per week for at least three months.
Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors and is frequently treated medically.
Some people struggle to maintain control of their insomnia for the majority of their lives, and they go through long periods of time when they are extremely concerned about going to bed and/or staying in bed.
Insomnia comorbid
Comorbid insomnia occurs when insomnia is combined with another condition, such as chronic pain or mental health instability.
When a person is uncomfortable, either mentally or physically, their natural sleep patterns are disrupted, affecting their ability to rest properly.
Insomnia At First Occurrence
Sleeping problems are caused by onset insomnia. Many people are still tense and mentally stimulated when they try to sleep, which can lead to onset insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep. Without proper medical treatment, this can become a long-term pattern.
Insomnia due to upkeep
Maintenance insomnia makes it difficult to stay in bed all night. It causes people to wake up after going to bed and makes it difficult for them to fall back asleep. An overactive mind and stress can also contribute to this.
What Is the Best Way to Treat Insomnia?
Chronic insomnia should be addressed by a medical professional who can provide you with an accurate assessment of the situation. Websites such as WebMD and HealthyPlace are excellent resources that can assist you.
WebMD recommends keeping a sleep diary for a period of time to help them determine the extent of the problem and a plan of action for moving forward. WebMD also offers an online sleep habits quiz to help you figure out what keeps you awake at night.
To see if you have symptoms, you can also take the HealthyPlace online sleep insomnia test. Although these websites can be useful, it is important to remember that you should always consult your doctor for a professional diagnosis and treatment.
Acute insomnia can often be treated at home without the assistance of a medical professional by making changes to your bedtime routine and overall lifestyle.
Over-the-counter sleeping pills are available, but they frequently lose their effectiveness over time. Sleeping pills should be used only as a last resort.
An Overview of Some Good Sleep Habits That Will Aid in the Prevention of Insomnia
Try to get up and go to bed at the same time every day. Set a strict schedule and stick to it to train your body to recognise when it is appropriate to be in bed and awake.
Naps should be avoided because they can cause you to stay up later at night.
Limit your use of electronic devices before going to bed. Especially cell phones and tablets that are close to your face or are backlit. The light they emit can make it difficult to sleep.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine close to bedtime. Nicotine and caffeine are stimulating and can make it difficult to fall asleep. Alcohol can disrupt your sleep by making it difficult to stay in bed.
- Regular exercise will help you sleep better. However, working out within a couple of hours of attempting to sleep is not advised because it can keep you awake.
- Avoid late-night eating, or at the very least, eat your last meal at least two hours before going to bed.
- You should not use your bed for anything other than sleeping and having sex. You should train your body to recognise when it is time to sleep.
- Create a relaxing routine that you stick to every night. This will also contribute to a natural winding down of your body.
- If you have trouble falling asleep because you are worried about something, try keeping a journal in which you can write down what is bothering you. This has been shown to be cathartic for people, allowing them to sleep better.
Read – How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule: 7 Steps to Regaining Control
You Can Also Change Your Environment to Help With Insomnia:
Make sure your bedroom is dark and at a temperature that is comfortable for you. The more relaxing and soothing your bedroom is, the more relaxed you will be. Essential oils can be used to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
For full support, try sleeping on the floor or on a firm mattress.
You, Me, and the Various Types of Insomnia
We’ve talked about the facts about insomnia and how almost everyone suffers from it at some point in their lives.
We’ve also talked about how it affects our health and how important it is to get a professional diagnosis for such disorders.
Whether it lasts for one night or for a long time, it is critical to understand the various insomnia sleep disorders so that we can recognise their effects on ourselves and others. We can’t treat it if we can’t identify it.