Finding The Causes Of Your Insomnia

 

You’ve counted sheep.  You’ve watched TV.  You’ve read a book.  You try and fall asleep, but nothing seems to help.  So you toss and you turn and you wonder why.  It’s called insomnia—a condition which prevents you from sleeping (or getting recuperative sleep) over an extended period of time.  But what are the causes of insomnia?  Knowing the cause is half the battle in finding relief.  There are many factors that can trigger a case of short-term or long-term insomnia.

Short Term Insomnia

If the insomnia has been going on for just a few days, here are the places to start looking for the problem:

  • Mental stress and/or anxiety.  Maybe you’re going through a difficult time—financial problems, loved one in the hospital, work issues, divorce—whatever might cause feelings of helplessness, anger, and/or depression.  These can all lead to a mental fixation on these situations, which can disrupt normal sleep behavior.
  • Excess Stimulants.  Have you been drinking excess coffee or soda pops to stay awake?  It may have worked too well.  Drinking too much caffeine is another one of the causes of insomnia.
  • Odd Sleep Habits.  If you go to bed at different times each night, your body can’t get itself into a normal sleeping pattern.  This could easily lead to being unable to sleep at all.
  • Airplane Rides.  If you’ve just done some long-distance flying, your insomnia may be brought on by a simple case of jet lag.
  • Unfamiliar Sleep Environment.  Some people just have a hard time sleeping in a strange bed.  If you’ve recently moved, visiting a friend, or out on vacation, the strange surroundings could be one of the causes.

Long Term Insomnia

It’s important that if your insomnia has been recurring and persistent, you should see a health care specialist.  Insomnia can be a symptom of a more serious condition, so you should report any additional symptoms or recent changes in your health.

  • Old Age.  As people get older, their body’s levels of melatonin decreases.  Melatonin is a hormone which allows the body to control sleep.
  • Insomnia Tendencies.  As funny as it may sound, it may just be “in the genes”.  Some people can actually have a hereditary tendency to suffer from insomnia.
  • Another Sleep Disorder.  Go figure—one sleep disorder causes another one.  Restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea are two sleep disorders that can trigger insomnia as a secondary sleep disorder.
  • Neurological Disorder.  As opposed to a simple case of stress, you may be suffering from an neurological disorder such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome), Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Serious Health Problems.  Insomnia is also one of the symptoms of heart disease and high blood pressure.