What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia is the failure to fall asleep and remain asleep. Some
common symptoms include fatigue, irritability and poor attention. There
are many reasons for poor sleep and often there is more than one cause.
Causes and types of insomnia may include:
Acute stress
- Acute stress, such as major life events (tragic loss, marriage, a job
change, or an exam) can lead to insomnia. Sleeping in new settings such
as a hotel or hospital room can also lead to insomnia. This type of
sleep disturbance is brief. Sleep tends to return to normal once the
stress is removed or reduced or when the person learns to cope with it.
Bedtime Behavior in Children -
Children often attempt to delay bedtime. A child may ask for one more
bedtime stories, take several trips to the bathroom, ask for food or
water, or to watch a few more minutes of television. These attempts to
delay the bedtime should be recognized by the caretaker and
then limited before bedtime. Once this is accomplished, sleep often
occurs naturally and quickly.
However, several other factors may also affect a child’s sleep.
These include fear of the dark, fear of being left alone or an
unreasonably early bedtime. Some children are unable to sleep unless a
special blanket or pacifier is present.
Environmental Factors
- Loud noise, bad odors, bright lights and extremes in room
temperature can disturb sleep. A snoring sleep partner or an
uncomfortable bed can also disturb sleep. Other disruptive
environmental factors include concerns about safety in the house,
caring for a family member and a rapid ascent to a high altitude.
Medical Conditions
- Some medical conditions may cause insomnia. If you have a chronic
illness and you are having sleep disturbances, talk with your doctor.
Medicine-induced Insomnia
-
Medications can be a major cause of insomnia. Stopping medicine that
encourages sleep after long-term use can lead to severe insomnia. Some
medicines have a stimulating effect, causing wakefulness and alertness.
These can cause insomnia, often when taken close to bedtime or when the
dose is increased. If you take any of these medicines and are having
sleep disruptions talk with your doctor. Do not stop any medicines if
you have not consulted with your doctor.
Poor Sleep Hygiene -
Insomnia can begin with habits or activities that do not promote sleep.
Caffeine, alcohol or smoking too close to bedtime can lead to poor
sleep. Strenuous exercise or stimulating mental activity can affect
sleep, as well. Frequent changes in bedtime or waking times and napping
during the day can disrupt sleep. Performing activities in bed such as
doing homework, talking on the telephone or watching television are
also habits that may cause sleep problems.
Psychophysiologic
Insomnia
- Behaviors that disturb sleep can develop and become the major factors
causing Insomnia. For instance, an insomniac may "try too hard" to fall
sleep. He / she may become tense and even more aroused. This, in turn,
increases anxiety about not being able to sleep. Thus, a vicious cycle
begins.
Sleep often occurs when not trying too hard to fall asleep. Sleep may be better in any place other than the insomniac's bedroom.
Learn more about sleep disorders.
Learn about the National Jewish Sleep Center.
This information has been approved by Teofilo Lee-Chiong, Jr, MD
(December 2006).
