Insomnia - Types, causes, symptoms and treatment

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty in going to sleep and/or staying asleep.

Types of Insomnia

1)Acute Insomnia - sudden in onset and short lasting. It may occur due to stress, certain medications that one may be taking or underlying medical condition.

2)Chronic Insomnia - it develops gradually and is more long lasting.It can occur due to a number of reasons listed below.

Causes:

- Stress, anxiety or depression.

- Certain medications may affect sleep pattern.

- Underlying medical conditions.

- Lack of exercise.

- Poor diet.

- Smoking and drinking.

- Longer naps during day time.

Symptoms:

- Difficulty in getting sleep.

- Waking up several times during the night.

- Waking up way earlier than the desired wake up time.

- Loss of energy and sluggishness.

- Difficulty in concentrating on task at hand.

- Tiredness and fatigue after waking up from sleep.

- Irritability, short temper and mood swings.

- Drowsiness.

Treatment:

Since there are a number of possible causes for insomnia, the treatment is based on curing the cause of insomnia.Some common remedies to deal with insomnia are:

- Leading a healthy and stress free life. Yoga and meditation may help.

- Moderate exercise during day time.

- Shorter or no naps during the day.

- Treatment of any medical condition which may be causing insomnia.

- Stopping or substituting any medication which may be affecting sleep (after consulting your doctor)

- Avoiding caffeine ,fried and high sugar food before sleeping.

- Stopping or minimising alcohol and smoking.

- Sleeping pills can be taken, but only after consulting your doctor about possible side effects.