What are the Main Causes of Insomnia?

[Alex Samuel]

Insomnia is a problem that affects more than 10% of the adult population. It results in a decrease in the quantity and quality of sleep (difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakening, early awakening in the morning, etc.). Sleep is then experienced as not restful. The day is accompanied by fatigue, drowsiness and the insomniac is often irritable.

When to talk about insomnia?
We talk about insomnia is when we have a difficulty falling asleep at bedtime (initial insomnia) or when doing the nighttime awakenings frequent or prolonged , or finally when we wake up early the morning with an inability to regain sleep . A person may suffer from a mixture of these symptoms, or may change symptoms over time.

Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, or spending more than 30 minutes awake in the middle of the night, with less than 6.30 hours of sleep a night is a problem with insomnia. If you sleep 6 or 7 hours a night and feel rested the next day, you have no insomnia. If you have trouble staying asleep or falling asleep at least three times a week, you probably have insomnia.

You can suffer from transient insomnia (life problems, worries), in the medium term (things can still get back in order or get worse) or in the long term: insomnia becomes chronic .

The hygiene of life at the origin of insomnia
Hygiene problems can be the cause of these difficulties falling asleep. Thus, excessive consumption of stimulants (coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco) or eating too much or not enough in the evening can be responsible for the difficulties in falling asleep or other kind of diseases rehabcure.org/physiotherapy/physiotherapists/slipped-disc/. The lack of physical activity or conversely too intense physical activity may also be involved. We must not forget causes that are simply linked to the environment : noisy or too bright bedroom, poor quality box spring or mattress ...

The organic causes of insomnia
Insomnia can sometimes have an organic cause, such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea . Restless legs syndrome is common in pregnant women and people over the age of 60. It results in burning sensations, irritations, tingling (paraesthesia) in the legs at bedtime. These sensations force the person to get up, walk, cool legs in the shower and prevent falling asleep. This syndrome is accompanied by periodic movements of the legs during the night, which can annoy the spouse. Sleep apnea is another organic cause that causes insomnia. It is very difficult to detect and causes significant fatigue in the morning and memory and concentration problems. These restless legs and sleep apnea problems are generally highlighted thanks to the testimony of the spouse.