Insomnia symptoms can range from trouble falling asleep to mood changes and slow reflexes. These can be caused by excessive stress, caffeine and nicotine consumption, and a bad sleep environment. Among different individuals, pregnant women are at the highest risk of developing insomnia.
Are you experiencing restless nights and tired mornings? If so, then you may be experiencing one of the most common sleep disorders in the world. Insomnia is more than just occasional sleepless nights. Recognising the symptoms is crucial to managing the impact of insomnia on your life.
This blog will go in-depth into identifying insomnia symptoms and causes, while also discussing possible treatments.
Insomnia is a condition where people experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early. These symptoms may seem harmless at first, however, repeated troubles are something to be concerned about.
You may experience either chronic insomnia (lasting a long time) or acute insomnia (lasting a brief period).
Experts classify this condition into two types: Primary Insomnia and Secondary Insomnia.
Sleep plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. It affects how you feel, think, and function throughout the day. Therefore, knowing insomnia symptoms and addressing them is essential to your health.
Since the condition affects your sleep and daily functions, its symptoms are divided into two categories.
These symptoms occur when you have trouble sleeping. They are as follows:
You may either face one symptom or all three symptoms together. Usually, people go through different symptoms throughout their lives as per their lifestyle of health and mental condition.
Every adult needs at least 6 to 7 hours of sleep for the body to function properly. However, people with insomnia have difficulty fulfilling this criterion. This leads to symptoms to carry on and impact your daytime activities. They are as follows:
Not addressing these symptoms can cause long-term health effects such as obesity, high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease. If you face these symptoms for more than two weeks, you may have chronic insomnia symptoms. Consult a doctor for a better diagnosis.
Insomnia can be caused by a myriad of factors, however, experts have yet to discover why it happens. That being said, let us explore what causes insomnia symptoms:
Apart from these primary causes, there are also some secondary causes related to this condition. Often, these causes stem from another disease. This is also called comorbid insomnia. They are:
Although anyone can develop insomnia, women are more likely to be affected than men. According to a study, approximately 80% of pregnant women experience this condition.
Fortunately, this is a highly curable condition involving at-home remedies and medications. Simple lifestyle changes coupled with medications can help you manage insomnia.
This refers to changing how you function daily. Let us look at ways you can relieve your symptoms.
By implementing these methods, you may see improvements.
Initially, your doctor may prescribe sleeping pills to help with your symptoms. However, they will not cure your insomnia. Combine them with lifestyle changes to see significant results.
Your doctor may also prescribe sedative-hypnotics, which slow down your brain activity and help you fall and stay asleep.
Some sleep medicines that are generally prescribed by doctors include:
Recognising insomnia symptoms is the first step towards improving your sleep and overall health. Taking action early can make all the difference in your life. If you identify with insomnia symptoms and causes, consult a doctor for further assistance.
Remember that quality sleep is not a luxury but a necessity, both for your physical and mental health.