Insomnia Side Effects

Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder among millions of adults all around the world.  The reason it is so common is that there are so many possible causes of insomnia, which can affect you for as little as a few days to as much as six months.

Primary insomnia is the sleep disorder that is not the side effect of another underlying physical or mental condition.  Some possible causes of primary insomnia are:

• Stress – Any stressful problems at work, school or home can linger and cause trouble sleeping.  Any family emergencies or crisis’s, such as going into debt or dealing with a death in the family may also cause problems.
• Traveling – More specifically, traveling over different time zones can cause jet lag, which can be very disorienting to your regular sleeping patterns.  Also, a change in the environment can affect you until you are properly acclimated.
• Caffeine – Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you up and prevent you from falling asleep.  Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and soda, should not be consumed close to the time when you want to go to bed.
• Medications – Similarly, many medications contain stimulants that may not allow you to fall asleep.  Also, taking a diuretic before going to sleep can cause you to awaken frequently through the night to go to the bathroom.
• Alcohol – Although alcohol is a sedative, it will also prevent the later stages of sleep.  This can cause you to have trouble staying asleep and to not feel rested when waking.
• Sleeping Conditions – Perhaps there is too much noise or too much light (especially in urban areas) where you try to sleep that is disrupting your sleep.  Another possibility is if your bed is just too uncomfortable.

Secondary insomnia (also known as comorbid), is the disorder that is a symptom or side effect of another medical condition.  Causes of secondary insomnia are:

• Clinical Depression – Chemical imbalances due to depression can cause a person to have a lot of trouble sleeping.
• Asthma – People that have trouble breathing may find it affect their normal sleep schedules.
• Other Sleep Disorders – Sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome are other sleep disorders which can lead to the side effect of insomnia.
• Chronic Pain – Medical conditions, such as arthritis, which cause chronic pain can also regularly interfere with a good night’s rest and trigger insomnia as well.

Continue reading about insomnia side effects here.