- Psychological: The most common psychological problems include anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the more severe phases of a mental illness (such as in mania of bipolar disorder). Mania causes the excessive release of neurochemicals such as dopamine. Feelings of grief, depression or major depression, worry, anxiety or stress, exhilaration or excitement all may cause insomnia, either acute or chronic, depending upon the individual.
- Physiological: Medical conditions can cause insomnia, such as chronic (long-term) pain (including arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer), enlarged prostate, cystitis (common in women), over-active thyroid glands, congestive heart failure (CHF), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, heartburn), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. These conditions cause imbalances and changes in circadian rhythm (24 hour light and dark balance) and sleep/wake balance.
- Medications: Certain prescription and non-prescription medications may also cause acute or chronic (long-term) insomnia. If the insomnia is related to a medication side effect, a normal sleep/wake pattern should be achieved shortly after discontinuing the medication. Medicines that stimulate brain neurochemistry may cause insomnia. These include nasal decongestants, weight loss drugs, amphetamines (including methamphetamine or crystal meth), some antidepressants, cocaine, and some asthma and heart medications. Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine may also contribute to insomnia by altering brain chemistry, thereby disrupting the normal sleep/wake cycle. The abrupt discontinuation of alcohol (in alcoholics) can also contribute to insomnia. The abrupt stopping of medications (such as sleeping pills, hypnotics, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants) can cause acute insomnia.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea may also cause insomnia. Sleep apnea means cessation of breath, and is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction (mouth, nose, throat) that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. Airway muscles relax and collapse when asleep, causing them to become obstructed (blocked) at several possible sites, resulting in snoring. The upper airway can be obstructed by excess tissue in the airway, such as large adenoids (tonsils) or a large tongue. Another site of obstruction can be the nasal passages. Sleep apnea can be a serious condition, and can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, morning headaches, hypertension (high blood pressure), weight gain, irritability and personality changes, depression, difficulty concentrating, excessive perspiring during sleep, heartburn, reduced libido (sexual drive), nocturia (frequent urination at night), restless sleep, and snorting, gasping, or choking.
- Other common causes: A disruptive bed partner with loud snoring or periodic leg movements (restless leg syndrome or RLS) may also cause insomnia. Nocturnal polyuria, or excessive nighttime urination, can be very disturbing to sleep. Excessive thirst or the use of diuretics can also cause these symptoms. Not getting enough light during the day can cause the natural circadian rhythm and the sleep/wake cycle to be disturbed, causing insomnia. Jet lag, shift work, wake-sleep pattern disturbances, bed or bedroom not conducive to sleep, aging, excessive sleep during the day, and excessive physical or intellectual stimulation at bedtime can all contribute to acute or chronic insomnia.
- Causes in infants: Most newborn babies wake several times during the night, but by the age of six months they typically sleep through the night. At one year, babies will sleep an average of about 16 hours in every 24. Two to three hours of this sleep will be during the day. Causes of sleeplessness in infants may include a desire for parental attention, infantile colic or other digestive problems such as indigestion, hunger, teething, and fever or other illness such as a cold or influenza.
Copyright ‚© 2007 Natural Standard Inc.
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