Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition where people have difficulty in sleeping. There are two types of insomnia. The most common type is called secondary insomnia. Secondary means that the insomnia is a symptom or a side-effect of some other problem. Insomnia is often caused by fear, stress, anxiety, medications herbs, caffeine, depression or sometimes for no apparent reason. It is characterized by an inability to sleep and inability to remain asleep for a reasonable period. Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men. Chronic insomnia is defined when you have problems falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experience nonrestorative sleep that occurs on a regular or frequent basis, often for no apparent reason. Insomnia can affect not only your energy level and mood, but also your health as well because sleep helps bolster your immune system. Lack of sleep caused by insomnia is linked to accidents both on the road and on the job.

Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. Insomnia can also be caused by faulty sleeping habits such as excessive daytime naps or caffeine consumption. Short-term insomnia lasts about two to three weeks and is usually attributed to emotional factors such as worry or stress. Insomnia may be classified by how long the symptoms are present. Transient insomnia usually is due to situational changes such as travel and stressful events. It lasts for less than a week or until the stressful event is resolved. Making lifestyle changes that make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep can often relieve insomnia. Several medicines also can help relieve insomnia and re-establish a regular sleep schedule. They can also be used in combination with prescription sleeping medications.

Causes of Insomnia

The common causes and risk factor's of Insomnia:

Long-term use of sleep medications.
Stress.
Psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.
Eating too much too late in the evening.
Restless leg syndrome, an unpleasant tickling, burning, pricking or aching sensations in the muscles of the legs.
Environmental factors.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Some sign and symptom related to Insomnia are as follows:

Waking up too early.
Daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
Feeling tired and unrefreshed in the morning.
Emotional instability.
Difficulty falling asleep at night.
Loss of coordinat.

Treatment of Insomnia

Take regular exercise, but avoid strenuous activity immediately before going to bed.
Sedative antihistamines (diphenhydramine and promethazine). These are effective but stay in the body for a long time and can cause a hangover effect in the morning.
Passiflora and wild lettuce extract are also traditionally used, but their benefits have not been proven in medical trials.
Melatonin, a hormone, is also employed in the treatment of certain insomnias. Once the cause has been identified and dealt with the person may have his sleep restored.

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