Possible causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder, affecting nearly 35 percent of the adult population. Marked by the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep during the night, insomnia can lead to serious effects and give rise to a variety of health issues. The fact that you are not able to complete your sleep at night is very likely to make you feel tired and sleepy during the day. As such, you may find it rather difficult to focus on what you are doing and also face higher risks of automobile accidents. As per the best doctor for sleep disorders in Kolkata, sleep deprivation can affect you both physically, as well as mentally. But, the question here is, ‘What causes Insomnia?’

 

Before we answer this question, it is important for you to understand that the condition is not the same for everyone and different people can understand distinct forms of insomnia, depending on various factors, including the reason behind it. While short-term insomnia is experienced only for a brief period of time, chronic insomnia may be experienced for months at a stretch. While, for some, the major problem is falling asleep, for others, it is the inability to maintain that sleep.

 

There are numerous causes of insomnia, and in certain cases, more than one factor may be involved.

 

Experts offering the best treatment for insomnia suggest that the problem might be caused by a state of hyperarousal, which interferes with your body’s ability to fall asleep. These can be either mental or physical and may be triggered by numerous factors.

 

• Insomnia caused by stress – Mental stress can affect your body in a number of ways which can directly or indirectly impact the quality of your sleep. No matter what the source of the stress is, whether it is due to excess workload, relationship problems, exposure to traumatic situations (post-traumatic stress disorder), or any other reason. Our body physically responds to stress, leading to hyperarousal. The fact that you are not able to sleep properly may add to your stress and the chain continues. Studies have shown that some individuals are more prone to stress-related sleeping problems compared to others. This is due to higher sleep reactivity.

 

• Insomnia caused by an irregular sleep schedule – Ever heard about the circadian rhythm? Well, in simple terms, it can be defined as the body’s internal clock, which somewhat works in synchronization with the natural day and night. In some people, the circadian cycle can get misaligned owing to their irregular sleep patterns. For instance, people who work night shifts, or people who travel from one time zone to another. While the rhythm may be shifted backward in certain cases, in others, it may be shifted forward.

 

• Insomnia caused by unhealthy lifestyle –  Experts from the best multispeciality hospital in Kolkata suggest that unhealthy lifestyle practices, too, can be a contributing factor behind your insomnia. Unhealthy routines and lifestyle habits can affect your body in countless ways, however, we do not usually realize this until the damage is done. These habits include:

 

• Staying up late for work or any other reason, which keeps your brain stimulated

 

• Napping frequently during the daytime

 

• Waking up late in the morning

 

• Taking caffeine late in the evening or at night

 

• Insomnia caused by pain and other medical conditions – It is extremely difficult to fall asleep when you are in pain, as the situation can be very uncomfortable and make it difficult for you to lie still in bed. The pain may be due to an injury or an underlying condition. In some cases, insomnia may also be the result of the medication that you have been taking for the management of some other medical condition.