Lying awake at night? Counting sheep not working?

While most people experience difficulty sleeping from time to time, the inability to sleep for a number of consecutive nights or weeks is indicative of a sleep disorder. There are several types of sleeping disorders, which include circadian rhythm disorders, sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia. Insomnia is a condition where a patient fails to fall asleep or stay asleep. Chronic insomnia is a crippling disorder and can affect every aspect of your daily life.

Facts about insomnia

Most adults need at least eight hours sleep per night and not sleeping can cause serious health problems, including worsening diabetes and high blood pressure. Insomnia is more common in females, people with depression and those aged over 60 years of age. Certain medicines can make it hard to sleep, as can drinking alcohol or eating too close to bedtime. Stress, such as a death in the family or worrying about your finances can also make it hard to sleep.

Insomnia Triggers

Insomnia or sleeplessness can occur as a result of physical, psychological or emotional disorders. It can be triggered by grief, depression, anxiety, stress, physical imbalances, age, environmental factors and even some medications and stimulants. Insomnia can cause an imbalance in your hormone levels and hasten the aging process unless it is dealt with quickly. Insomnia has also been linked to disorders such as diabetes, obesity, depression and cancer.

Some of the problems with the medications

Many people with chronic insomnia resort to sleeping pills and other medications which can have side effects such as tiredness, mental dullness and extreme drowsiness which are much the same as the effects of the insomnia itself. It should be no surprise, therefore, that one of the greatest risks of insomnia is the increased likelihood of accidents.

Types of insomnia

There are several types of insomnia, ranging from mild to severe. Mild insomniacs experience poor sleep occasionally, and their working and social lives are not affect. In moderate insomnia, sleep deprivation has an effect on working and socializing. Severe insomniacs suffer serious impediments to normal function during the day. Insomnia is described as acute if the sleep disturbance lasts only a few days, or chronic if the disturbance lasts for several weeks or months.

Insomnia relief

There are several steps to take to treat insomnia before you try medicine. Establishing a routine, where you get up and go to bed at the same time each day can assist your body to feel sleepy.

  • Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the four to six hours before you wish to fall asleep.
  • Try to avoid large meals in the two hours before you sleep.
  • Skipping your afternoon nap if it is later than 3pm will mean that you are more likely to sleep through the night.
  • Ensure your room is dark and quiet, and that the temperature is not too hot or cold.
  • If you are still awake after 20 minutes of going to bed, try getting up and doing a quiet activity, such as reading, instead of lying there tossing and turning.

Other insomnia treatments

If you have tried to alter your routine and you’re still not sleeping, you may need the help of medicine. Common non-prescription drugs containing antihistamines, such as Tylenol, Benadryl or Nytol are often used for insomnia treatment. Prescription drugs, including ProSom, Dalmane and Restoril are also used. It is important to remember that all these drugs have side effects, which may include dependency and which may even worsen your condition if they are taken for too long, in too great a quantity or used in combination with other drugs. It is important to work with your doctor, who can advise you properly on the best solution to help you get good night’s rest.