The first step to improving your sleep and managing sleep problems is making changes to your sleep habits. Poor sleeping surface, room temperature (too hot/ too cold), noisy environment, partner (snoring, sleep talking, sleep walking) How can I treat insomnia? 6Ĭommon causes and risk factors that can contribute to insomnia include: 2,6,8,9īereavement, redundancy, work pressures, retirement, new baby, exams, financial troubles MedicationĪntidepressants, heart and blood pressure medication (anti-hypertensives, diuretics), asthma medication (inhalers & corticosteroids), anti-epileptic drugs, pain medication (opioids), NRT Sleeping Environment codeine) and drugs like cocaine and amphetamines. Poor sleep has also been linked to the misuse or dependence of substances like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, opioids (e.g. 2,6įind out more information on the connection between mental health and sleep with our article on anxiety and sleep. 8 Chronic insomnia is found to commonly co-exist with medical conditions like depression, anxiety, COPD, chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and musculoskeletal conditions. In the Great British Sleep survey a ‘racing mind’ was identified as the main cause of sleeplessness. These include daytime napping or prolonged time in bed, 2 and unhelpful cognitive processes (how we think). The causes of chronic insomnia are not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a result of poor sleep habits. 2Īccording to the Great British Sleep survey the top 5 physical factors affecting sleep were: 8 2,6Ĭhanges in sleeping patterns due to the birth of a child or environmental disturbance (such as excess noise or light or extremes of temperature) are also linked to short-term insomnia. Short-term (acute) insomnia can occur as a result of stressful events such as bereavement, illness, changes in employment, exams, pending deadlines or financial difficulties. There can be numerous reasons to have disturbed sleep. Is when people wake up earlier than intended in the morning. Each type is characterised by how long it lasts, how it affects your sleep, and the underlying cause. There are several different types of insomnia that you might find yourself suffering from. Difficulty with attention, concentration or memory.If you suffer from sleeplessness you might find yourself having the following symptoms during the day: 2,6 The impact of sleep disorders is often not just limited to the night though. Waking up early and not being able to go back to sleep.Waking up several times during the night.The symptoms of insomnia can be separated into night-time and daytime symptoms. 2 It can last a few days, weeks, or continue long term. Insomnia can affect anyone, but it’s considerably more common in women and older adults. It can also be a difficulty staying asleep, early waking, or not feeling well-rested after an adequate number of hours sleeping. 4 Insomnia is not simply defined by a difficulty in getting to sleep. Insomnia means you regularly have sleep problems. In this article we will explore what is insomnia, how to recognise the symptoms, what causes insomnia, and what treatments and advice are available. 1 However, sleep problems, such as insomnia, affects around 1 in 3 people in the United Kingdom. Getting enough quality sleep with a healthy sleep cycle can help protect your mental health and physical health. Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being. What is insomnia: symptoms, causes & treatments
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