Everything Know About Insomnia:

What is insomnia? 

It is a sleeping disorder, for those who have insomnia, it is challenging to fall asleep or to stay asleep, or both. People with this condition often feel tired and nauseous after waking up from sleep. That can lead to fatigue and other symptoms of this disorder. As per the APA (American Psychiatric Association), Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, around one in three adults, have symptoms related to this condition.

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Though many people have some degree of insomnia symptoms, only about 6 to 10 percent have 

symptoms severe enough to warrant an insomnia disorder diagnosis.

What Are The Causes of Insomnia? 

A person can experience two types of insomnia disorders, and both have different causes. Short-term 

insomnia can be a result of stress, a traumatic or upsetting event, or changes in sleep habits or lifestyle changes.

Those who are having chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three or more months, can have this 

condition due to a combination of problems, which include: 

 Depression, anxiety, or other mental issues 

 Medical conditions like back pain or arthritis can also cause a person to lose sleep 

 Substance use or abuse

Though insomnia can occur in people of any age, the chances of women suffering from this condition are much higher than men. 

What Are The Common Symptoms of Insomnia? 

Those who have insomnia report to experience the following symptoms: 

 Trouble falling asleep 

 Staying awake at night 

 Waking too early 

 Unrefreshing sleep 

Everyone with this condition experiences these symptoms differently; some experience all of these 

symptoms while others only face a few of them. Nonetheless, these symptoms contribute to other 

problems relating to insomnia, which include 

 Fatigue 

 Mood changes 

 Irritability 

 Difficulty concentrating, etc.

What Treatments Available For Insomnia? 

A doctor can recommend medicines or use a non-medicational approach for treating insomnia. Which type of procedure will be best for a patient depends on the severity of their condition and the underlying cause of this sleeping disorder. 

The ACP (American College of Physicians) suggests cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the first-line treatment for insomnia. A physician might also recommend some behavioral changes which may be interfering with the sleeping pattern of an individual. These changes include: 

 Avoiding exercise close to bedtime 

 Minimizing the time spent on the bed, if the person is not sleeping 

 Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages before going to sleep 

This type of treatment does not work for everyone, so for those who still experience insomnia 

symptoms, doctors recommend OTC or prescription medications. 

Insomnia Medication:

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a common over the counter medication that helps induce sleep. While using these drugs, one should be careful as these can have side effects if used for an extended period. 

If the OTC medicines don’t work, then the doctor can prescribe something more substantial, like zolpidem (Ambien) or eszopiclone ( Lunesta). 

Other treatments for insomnia :

Apart from medications, remedies like meditation and exercising can also help reduce the symptoms of insomnia.

Meditation is especially helpful in case the cause of insomnia is stress or anxiety. It can be a natural and medicine-free method for the treatment of insomnia.