What is Insomnia?

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a person feels difficulty in sleeping at night. About 30% to 50% of population is affected by insomnia while 10% people are suffering from chronic insomnia.

Classification of Insomnia On The Basis Of Duration:

It is classified into:

Short term insomnia

Chronic Insomnia

Transient insomnia

The short term insomnia condition resolves in one to three weeks while the chronic insomnia is longer than three weeks. The transient insomnia has the shortest time period as it lasts less than one week.

Causes of Insomnia:

There are a number of general causes of insomnia such as stressful condition in life, exams, excessive work load, noise, uncomfortable room temperature, any disease condition that is causing pain and with drawl of drugs or alcohol may also cause this sleeping problem.

Psychological Causes:

There are some psychological conditions that may cause insomnia, such as:

• • Depression
  • Stress
  • Mental disorder
  • Mania
  • Schizophrenia

Physiological causes:

• • • Heart diseases
    • Sleep apnea
    • Snoring
    • Acid reflux diseases
    • Chronic fatigue syndrome
    • Chronic pain syndrome
    • Night time angina

Diagnosis:

The evaluation of patients’ complete medical history and physical examination are helpful for the proper diagnosis of this sleep disorder. Sleep studies are also done by trained physician for exact diagnosis.

Treatment:

This disorder is treated by both non-pharmacologic (non-medical) and pharmacologic (medical) aspects but its recommended to firstly try these non0medical treatment methods then switch to medical treatments.

Non-medical treatment:

These are behavioral therapies that are usually used at the start of therapy. In most of the cases, the insomnia problem is overcome by it only. It includes sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, and sleep restriction.

Medical treatment:

In this mode of treatment, certain drugs are used that will cause relaxation of body. It is adviced by physicians to carry on non-medical therapy along with medication therapy.

There are many groups of medicine including prescription drugs and over-the counter drugs that are helpful in this treatment such as:

• Benzodiazepine sedatives
• Nonbenzodiazepine sedatives
• Ramelteon
• Some antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Melatonin and
• Herbal Remedies for Insomnia