Is it often that you feel like you are not getting enough sleep?
Do you have trouble falling asleep at night?
Do you feel your sleeping is uncomfortable and constantly interrupted, and wake up exhausted in the morning with hardly any energy for work?
If the answer to these questions is YES on a daily basis then, you might be having a sleep disorder called Insomnia.

There are many types of sleep disorders, most common of which are: Insomnia, Narcolepsy, Sleep apnea, Restless leg syndrome , and there are others.
Today We Are Going to Take a Better Look at INSOMNIA.

Have a Good Night's Sleep
There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep

This is a very widely complained about sleep disorder, almost all of us at one point or another suffer from the lack of sleep, However, insomnia could be just a temporary problem or it could be a persistent one.

It is not just the inability to go to sleep, or stay asleep, the problem with insomnia isn’t only about the amount of sleep you are getting, it’s about the quality of it as well, in some cases you might go to sleep only to wake up feeling exhausted rather than rested, not having enough energy to perform well at whatever you do.
This lack of sleep creates a lot of stress and irritation which affects your daily activities and even your relationships.

  • Symptoms of Insomnia:

    1. Difficulty sleeping.
    2. Waking up often in the middle of the night.
    3. Not being able to go back to sleep after waking.
    4. Irritation and lack of concentration.
    5. Feeling tired and sleepy during the day.
    6. Lack of energy and ability to work.
    7. Dozzing off and having memory problems.

    Now insomnia could be related to a variety of causes and conditions, and here are some of them :

  • Causes of Insomnia :

    a) Anxiety or stress: undergoing severe life trauma, difficult work conditions, and other stressful events.
    b) Psychological disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
    c) Several medical conditions such as cancer, allergies, asthma and kidney problems.
    d) Some medications like diuretics, antidepressants and cold and allergy medications.
    e) High intake of caffeine or alcohol.
    f) Environmental changes interfering with sleep cycle such as Jet lag.
    g) Other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.

    So how do you treat insomnia?

    Mostly, insomnia can be treated with some simple lifestyle changes that would help you get a better night sleep.
    However, medication sometimes can help ease down insomnia and restore a normal sleep cycle.
    If the cause of insomnia was a different underlying condition or disorder, then treating the underlying problem would be key to treating insomnia.
    CBT ” cognitive-behavioral therapy ” is a counseling used to relieve anxiety, which could be a cause of prolonged or chronic insomnia.

    Now here are some lifestyle modifications you need to make:
    1. Keep a sleep diary: write down the time you go to bed, how long it takes you to go to sleep, the duration and quality of your sleep.
    2. Avoid smoking before you go to bed.
    3. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
    4. Try to exercise about 5 hours before you go to bed.
    5. Adjust your bedroom to be soothing, quiet and dark before you sleep.
    6. Avoid stressful thinking before you go to sleep.
    7. Avoid taking naps and go to bed around the same time every night.