Insomnia or lack of adequate quality sleep is divided into three categories, transient, intermittent and chronic. About 10 percent of the population suffers from chronic insomnia.
Chronic insomnia is a very complex condition, and there are no simple answers to its causes. It is usually a symptom of some underlying physical or mental disease. It may be prudent to refer to specialists for help to pin down the root cause.
Physical diseases like arthritis, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, prostate problem, degenerative neurological disorders, GERD, kidney problem, heart failure, rhinitis and various types of sleep apnea are causes of chronic insomnia. Mental health disorders like stress, anxiety, grief, depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, mania and acute psychosis are also causes. Behavior patterns like smoking, alcohol, caffeine, shift work and medications sometimes contribute to chronic insomnia.
Chronic insomnia needs holistic management rather than a simple treatment. Health professionals can help and guide, but the patient is the one who should manage the condition. It is important to treat the underlying physical or mental disorder first. Treatments include modifying life style habits; creating a correct environment for sleeping; mild aerobics exercises; snacks before bedtime containing tryptophan found in milk, figs, bananas, dates and tuna; avoiding foods containing tyramine and medically supervised drug therapy.
Other methods include relaxation therapy, hypnotism, yoga, meditation, music and aromatherapy, recondition therapy (insomniac is allowed in bed only when sleepy), and sleep restriction therapy (sleeping habit’s are studied and bed is only for sleep time, gradually increasing with therapy), and cognitive behavior therapy, which seeks to correct the perception of the patient of inadequate sleep.
If chronic insomnia is not managed properly, it can lead to many serious consequences. Driving and handling machinery becomes dangerous, as sluggishness and dizziness are common among insomniacs. Patients experience problems at work because of poor performance, low energy level and lack of concentration. They also experience problems with family and friends, as irritability make the patient flare up for no reason.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Insomnia Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Insomnia is classified into three categories – transient, intermittent and chronic. Though the duration and intensity vary, the symptoms are the same for all of them. Insomnia by itself is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying disease or life style problem. There...
-
Insomnia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
If a person has a problem getting a decent night’s sleep or feels that he has a sleeping problem, it could be said that this person is suffering from insomnia. There are three types of insomnia. Transient is defined as sleeplessness that lasts one day...
-
Cause Of Insomnia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The National Institute of Health defines insomnia as, “the perception or complaint of inadequate sleep” and classifies it as three types; transient, intermittent and chronic. Most people have suffered from insomnia at one time or other in its transient (one day to a month) or...
-
Insomnia Treatment
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Insomnia or lack of quality sleep is divided into three categories based mainly on the duration of the problem – transient, intermittent and chronic. Transient and intermittent are temporary conditions and most of the times, correct themselves with minimal informed effort. Alteration of life style...
-
Menopause Insomnia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
When a menopausal woman consults a physician, the most frequently heard complaint is insomnia. The ageing process reduces the quality and duration of sleep. In a menopausal woman, the reduction of hormones and its imbalance makes it worse. The biological and psychological changes that occur...
-
Effects Of Insomnia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
To understand the effects of insomnia or lack of adequate quality sleep, it is imperative to understand sleep. It is a very complicated process involving body and brain. During sleep the body tissues are repaired and the organism, in a sense, rejuvenated. The brain receives...
-
Pregnancy Insomnia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Pregnancy and the growth of the child are nothing short of a miracle. Just two cells multiply into trillions of cells and form body parts and organs. There are billions of biochemical processes that have to be just right. To support this creation, female hormones...
-
Sleeping Disorders
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
If you find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or are falling asleep at inappropriate times, you could very well be suffering from a sleeping disorder. According to studies, there are over one hundred types of sleep orders, some more serious than the others....
-
Sleep Disorders
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Eight hours of sleep per night is recommended by physicians to ensure proper mental and physical health. Most people do not get the complete eight hours due to various reasons, such as stress, anxiety, work pressure and, more seriously, sleep disorders. In clinical terms, an...
-
Sleeping
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
You may often hear that the number of hours that should be allotted for sleeping is eight. This is true, although most people today get less than eight hours of sleep. Sleep is as important as exercise and diet. It is a basic human need....