Sleep and Insomnia Articles | Sleep

By: J.Morgan

Most people experience insomnia occasionally. It is normal to go through times when you have trouble sleeping. Going for prolonged periods without proper sleep is not healthy and it often requires medical help to resolve the problem. You must sleep right to live a healthy life.

Most people know what it is like to have insomnia, lying in bed unable to sleep, changing positions trying to get comfortable. You may really be tired or as some people say “too tired to sleep”.  Some will fall right to sleep only to wake up within an hour or two and then lie awake for hours. Others will wake up off and on all night long but go right back to sleep.

When you constantly have insomnia or only sleep well once in a while, you need to be concerned. Proper sleep is necessary to your health and happiness. You need to do something about it as soon as possible before it causes serious problems to your health. It is important that you learn all you can about your sleeping problems and take steps to deal with them.

Not sleeping well at night will make you sleepy and tired during the day, especially in the afternoon when you may find it hard to keep your eyes open or stay awake regardless of what else is going on. This is very hazardous if you are driving home from work at this time. In addition to that, chronic lack of sleep whether from not sleeping enough at all or waking before one has experienced all the sleep stages, can have serious effects on your health. Your immune system may be affected making you more susceptible to illness and infection. In rare cases it may cause death.
 

Common causes of insomnia:


Bedroom too hot

Stress, Anxiety, Depression

Too much light or noise

Drugs; including Medications, Illegal Drugs, Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine

Hormonal changes in women, decrease in melatonin

Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Hypothyroidism, 

Asthma, Allergies

Overworked, jet lag

Restless leg syndrome

Genetics, Pain

If you experience insomnia consistently for more than a week or so, you need to visit your doctor to see if he recommends tests to see if you have sleep apnea or other serious sleep disorders. Lack of proper sleep can lead to health problems and often is caused by conditions that need medical attention.