Important Facts About Insomnia

Insomnia is a disorder that makes people lose sleep and have poor functioning during the daytime. This sleep disorder is not about how long a person sleeps but the quality of sleep he or she gets. An article from http://health365.com.au has featured some facts about sleep apnoea.

• Poor sleep can be associated with accidents, lower work productivity, and may also worsen medical and psychological conditions. Sufferers are at an increased risk of depression, a compromised immune system, and inertia. Still, and even though it is treatable, insomnia is one of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated disorders of the central nervous system.

• Insomniacs are people who do not get enough quality sleep. They may have problems falling asleep (known as sleep-onset insomnia), or staying asleep (known as sleep-maintaining insomnia), they may wake up intermittently during the night or too early the next morning, or they wake up feeling unrefreshed.

• Insomnia can be triggered by stress or emotional distress (in particular internalised anger or anxiety), overusing certain substances such as alcohol, disturbances to the body clock, environmental factors such as noise or extreme temperatures, and even vigorous exercise too close to bedtime. This transient insomnia often gets better in a couple of days, usually when the triggers have been eliminated or adapted to.

• Chronic insomnia can be a symptom of other existing health problems, including depression, cancer or chronic pain. It can also be related to medications such as antidepressants, high blood pressure and steroids, which can interfere with sleep.

• The International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) lists more than 84 unique sleep disorders which range from the common types such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) to the rare syndrome narcolepsy.

• Women tend to be more prone to insomnia than men, with poor sleep usually associated with the menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy.

• Ageing also tends to bring a change in sleeping patterns, with elderly people often suffering from lighter, more fitful sleep.

• Patients with a history of depression are also more susceptible to insomnia.

• Ensure you are getting adequate levels of magnesium and B vitamins. Deficiency in both of these nutrients has been linked to difficulties in sleeping. Taking a supplement containing these nutrients may be of benefit.

• Melatonin supplementation can also be of benefit if a person’s melatonin levels are low or if the pineal gland is known to have abnormal function.

• Give up alcohol. There are several reasons why alcohol consumption can lead to a bad night’s rest, but all you need to know is that if you drink heavily, quitting may help you get better quality sleep.

• Avoid caffeinated drinks or foods after lunch

• If you are exercising after work, trying doing it before work. Exercising late at night means your body and brain go into overdrive, which can interfere with sleep.

Read more here:

http://health365.com.au/articles/sleep/insomnia

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