What is insomnia?
Do you have a hard time falling asleep? Do you find it difficult to stay asleep, perhaps waking up frequently during the night? Are there times you wake up earlier than usual? Do you feel unrefreshed after sleeping? If your answer is ‘Yes’ to any or more of these questions, you may have a very common condition called insomnia. Do you have difficulty in sleeping despite having the opportunity to do so? That is insomnia!
Most people may experience difficulty in sleeping once in a while. However, if this persists, additional problems arise. Some individuals wake up feeling un-refreshed. Others become irritable, anxious and easily tired. You may begin to lack the energy and desire to work or engage in fun activities. In
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It is one of the most distressing medical problems worldwide. Up to 50% of adults have experienced insomnia in their lifetime. However, it is only serious enough to cause daytime sleepiness or become chronic in 10% of adults. Older persons, women, persons with marital difficulties and the unemployed are more likely to have this condition than others. Gladly, difficulty in sleeping is short lived, resolving over a period of days or weeks in most individuals.
What causes insomnia?
Insomnia may be primary or secondary. In primary insomnia, the cause is unknown. Are you often emotionally upset or stressed up? Then you are more likely to experience primary insomnia. It may also be due to changes in your home or work environment and schedule. For example, travelers and shift workers often experience difficulty in sleeping because of changes in their sleep patterns and environment. Unfortunately, this form of insomnia may persist despite your return to previous work routine or environment.
Secondary insomnia occurs when specific medical conditions or medications lead to difficulty in sleeping. In up to 80% of cases, secondary causes account for insomnia.
What are the common causes of
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· Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and psychotic disorders
· Lifestyle factors such as drinking, smoking or use of recreational drugs
· Acute or chronic medical conditions e.g heart failure and