Insomnia is a typical sleep problem. Individuals suffering from insomnia have problems going to sleep, staying asleep or both. They then may have very short sleeping time or have poor sleep. They often wake up not refreshed and poorly rested.
Insomnia can be a short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) disorder. A lot of people experience acute insomnia and family pressures, stress at work or a traumatic event often are its causes. Short-term insomnia endures for days or weeks.
Long-term insomnia can last for a month or more. Many kinds of chronic insomnia are considered secondary meaning they are manifestations (side effects or symptoms) of a certain underlying problem. Certain substances, sleep disorders, medications or medical conditions can cause secondary insomnia.
Primary insomnia, on the other hand, is not caused by substances, medicines or medical problems. It is its own medical problem and no one knows what causes it. Emotional stresses like emotional upset or prolonged stress are factors that can trigger primary insomnia.
Insomnia can lead to lack of energy or sleepiness during the daytime. It usually causes the sufferer to feel irritable, depressed or anxious. The sufferer can have difficulty in remembering, learning or paying attention and can make his school performance suffer. Insomnia can lead to potential serious consequences. It may cause a driver to feel drowsy or sleepy which may then lead to an accident.
Treatment of the original condition that cause secondary insomnia often addresses the sleep disorder more so if the underlying problem is treated before secondary insomnia develops. An example of this is that if your caffeine intake is giving you insomnia, avoiding or lessening your caffeine consumption can lead to the resolution of your insomnia.
Relief of acute insomnia can often entail changes in your lifestyle. One lifestyle change is the bettering of your sleeping habits which can provide you with more adequate sleep and remove your acute insomnia. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, may entail the intervention of a doctor who can advice cognitive-behavioral therapy or medications.
Tammi A. Jones is a licensed acupuncturist in Palm Harbor, FL., practicing acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Western medical pathology. She is also the founder of Synoma Wellness Centre.