| What is Insomnia? | | | | imbalances can affect your body's ability to fall asleep, |
| The average person spends approximately 1/3 of his | | | | and dietary deficiencies can cause insomnia, as well. |
| or her life sleeping. Although we do not yet fully | | | | Exposure to toxic elements such as heavy metals, |
| understand either the purpose or the mechanics of | | | | molds, and other environmental pollutants have also |
| sleep, we do know that an insufficient amount can | | | | been shown to impair sleep. |
| have far-reaching consequences: our work | | | | Finding the Cause of Insomnia |
| performance, our personal relationships, and our | | | | By determining what is causing your insomnia, your |
| physical and mental health all depend on getting an | | | | health care provider will be better able to help you |
| appropriate amount of rest. | | | | design a plan for managing your sleep problem. To find |
| The inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep throughout | | | | out what is keeping you up at night, your doctor may |
| the night is a condition known as insomnia, and it is | | | | ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle, your |
| among the most common of all medical complaints; | | | | sleeping environment, and even the sleep habits of |
| approximately 1/3 of all people experience a period of | | | | your partner. A variety of lab tests can also be useful |
| insomnia at least once during their lifetime. Individuals | | | | in pinpointing the cause of your insomnia in the event |
| with insomnia typically experience at least one of the | | | | that a health problem is involved. |
| following symptoms: | | | | Managing Insomnia |
| - Difficulties falling asleep; | | | | The first step to getting back to sleep is to treat the |
| - Inability to stay asleep, or waking up too early; | | | | underlying cause. Establishing good sleep habits may |
| - Sleepiness during the day; | | | | include nutritional support, exercise, detoxification, and |
| - Fatigue or lack of energy; | | | | incorporating a relaxation technique into your daily |
| - Irritability; | | | | routine. |
| - Headache; | | | | Good sleep hygiene is important for getting the rest |
| - Decreased ability to concentrate; | | | | you need. By following the guidelines listed here, you |
| - Increased errors or accidents; | | | | will find yourself drifting off easily, without the constant |
| - Depression and/or anxiety; | | | | worry about getting enough sleep every night. |
| - Continual worry about sleep. | | | | - Stick to a constant sleep schedule, with a consistent |
| Health Risks of Insomnia | | | | bed time and wake-up time; |
| If you are not getting the sleep that you need, your | | | | - Avoid bright lights (including the television and |
| insomnia may eventually lead to serious consequences | | | | computer) for at least two hours before bedtime; |
| for your health. In the short term, your alertness and | | | | - Do not exercise within three hours of bedtime; |
| focus are impaired, which can have a negative effect | | | | - Make sure your bedroom is for sleeping - keep the |
| on your school or work performance. Relationship | | | | TV, computer, and any other distractions in another |
| problems may result from irritability due to lack of | | | | room; |
| sleep, while fatigue may prevent you from participating | | | | - Make sure your sleeping environment is cool, dark |
| in your normal activities. | | | | and quiet; |
| In the long-term, the complications of insomnia can be | | | | - Avoid caffeine, smoking, and alcohol, especially |
| even more severe. Hypertension, cardiovascular | | | | before bed; |
| disease, obesity, and mood disorders are all associated | | | | - Don't eat right before you go to bed; |
| with chronic insomnia; these conditions can be | | | | - Try a relaxation exercise such as deep breathing |
| life-threatening, and they will certainly reduce the quality | | | | before you turn in. |
| of your life. | | | | Over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications |
| What Causes Insomnia? | | | | are best avoided; they may help you fall asleep, but |
| Insomnia is symptomatic of a large number of | | | | they can be habit-forming, and they have a variety of |
| physiological disorders; if you are having difficulty | | | | negative side effects. By identifying the cause of your |
| sleeping, chances are that an underlying health problem | | | | insomnia and making some adjustments to your |
| is to blame. Illness, infection, mental health disorders, and | | | | lifestyle, you should be able to overcome your sleep |
| medications can all keep you from getting the proper | | | | difficulties naturally. |
| amount of rest. Hormone and neurotransmitter | | | | |