Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which it is difficult to get or maintain sleep.
Causes
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Excessive caffeine or alcohol
- Excessive use of sleeping pills
- Changes in work shifts
- Pain from medical problems such as arthritis
- Certain medical conditions
- Worrying about not getting sleep
- Environmental factors like noise, light or temperature
Symptoms
- Difficulty getting sleep at night
- Waking up often during the night
- Waking up very early and unable to fall asleep again
- Not feeling refreshed after waking up
- Feeling irritable during the day
- Poor concentration
Treatment
- Counseling can help in finding out the cause responsible for insomnia and curing the cause.
- Lifestyle changes may include decreasing intake of stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol etc.
- Behavioral therapy may be used for creating behavior and atmosphere conducive for getting good sleep.
- Medication to induce sleep can be used as a temporary measure.
Prevention
- Avoiding stress
- Avoiding caffeine
- Avoiding alcohol
- Avoiding stimulants
- Avoiding naps during the day
- Increasing physical activities
- Setting a fixed time for going to bed and getting up
- Relaxing the mind and body before sleeping
- Creating a comfortable sleeping environment
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