Insomnia: 8 Things You Must Know

Definition of Insomnia

Insomnia is a disorder related to your sleep pattern. In this disorder, the affected person either cannot fall asleep or finds it hard to have prolonged sleep.

An Insomniac person can suffer either 3 days a week or a few times in a year, depending on the type of insomnia he/she suffers from.

This is not a disease but a disorder causing some serious physical & mental health issues. The following are the most randomly asked questions.

Can insomnia be cured?

Is insomnia a disease?

What insomnia can cause?

In this article, we will be addressing all these questions in a much easier way. The preventive measures discussed below will help you ahead in your daily life to restrain from this irritating disorder.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Here lays the answer to the most asked question that what insomnia can cause?. When insomnia hits a person, it can cause several irritating & stressful changes in his daily life. Here are the following signs and symptoms of insomnia that an insomniac person will feel:

• Finding it difficult to sleep.
• Cannot get enough or prolonged sleep.
• Get up early.
• Feeling restless & exhausted after waking up.
• Lack of focus.
• Increased mistakes.
• Short-term memory.

Types of Insomnia

There are two major types of insomnia

1. Primary insomnia (also known as acute insomnia, adjustment insomnia, short-term insomnia) is a sleep disorder that hits the person especially during some environmental or sometimes emotional changes around him. People recover from it within 3 months or less as soon as the impression of the incident starts fading away.
2. Secondary insomnia (also known as long-term insomnia & Chronic insomnia) is a long-term sleep disorder where a person suffers from it three days per week for more than months. Multiple factors contribute to this like prolonged primary insomnia, physical or mental health issues, neurological issues like schizophrenia, or persistent nightmares.

Reasons for Insomnia

Now a simple yet important question arises that Is insomnia a disease? So the answer is very simple that it is not a disease rather a combination of certain changes in your lifestyle or some unnatural activities happening in your life that can cause Insomnia. Many factors & reasons contribute to insomnia.  Below are given some trigger points causing Insomnia.

• Increased stress
• Not following sleep routines
• Being physically unfit
• Age factor
• Neurological problems
• Certain medicines
• Working late at night
• Use of drugs
• Taking more caffeine or nicotine

Effects of Insomnia

Insomnia is not merely a sleep disorder but it has numerous side effects on a patient’s physical, mental & emotional health. I have summarized some of the insomnia effects which damage the overall health of the insomniac person.

• The risk for strokes increase
• The immune system gets weaker
• Obesity level increases
• You become more sensitive
• Mental health gets deteriorated

Insomnia while being Pregnant

Every pregnancy is a different experience for every woman. The fluctuation in hormones level causes different effects on ladies. Usually, during the first & third trimester, most ladies face insomnia.

To some extent, it is good because you have to change your sleep pattern for the new life ready to come into this world. Insomnia, while you are pregnant, might be tough but it is normal.

There are some activities if followed can help pregnant ladies to deal with insomnia while they are pregnant:

• Meditation
• Staying hydrated
• Exercising
• Healthy diet
• Building a proper sleep schedule

Treatment of Insomnia

Now a simple yet important question arises that Is insomnia a disease? So the answer is very simple that it is not a disease rather it is a combination of certain changes in your lifestyle or some unnatural activities happening in your life that can cause Insomnia. Treatment for insomnia includes both medical & non-medical procedures.

Medications for insomnia include several sleeping pills with different potencies. They can only be prescribed by the general physician.

Non-medical procedures include exercises & meditations, which might help to reduce the pain but can not eliminate it.

Hacks for Preventing Insomnia

Let’s get straight to the preventive measures which are discussed below:

1. If you are feeling insomnia symptoms cut down your daytime naps.
2. Avoid using mobile phones before bedtime.
3. Alcohol, nicotine & caffeine destroy your sleep quality, so try not to take these drinks before sleep.
4. Do exercise but avoid doing it late at night or before bedtime.
5. Do not take heavy dinners.
6. Prefer sleeping in a bedroom which is set according to your comfort.
7. Take shower before bed.
8. Do not use your bed except for sleep or spending quality time with your spouse.
9. Do not push yourself to sleep until & unless you are feeling sleepy enough.
10. If you are lying awake on the bed, try to do something productive rather than scrolling social media platforms or regretting your past decisions.