Insomnia is a sleeping condition which everyone seems to experience at some point. For many, it is more of an inconvenience that lasts days than an actual condition. However, there are those that suffer from chronic insomnia (usually a result of a different medical condition), which is a serious condition that can have severe adverse effects on a person, such as clinical depression. Naturally, this asks the question – is it possible for a person to die from insomnia?
According to Dr. Michael Thorpy and Dr. Shelby Freedman Harris at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, it is a common concern among people with insomnia that they can die from a lack of sleep. But surprisingly, it is possible for a person to die from insomnia. Fortunately, it is extremely rare for a person to actually die from insomnia.
The cause for concern is that a lack of sleep due to insomnia can be fatal. And there was a study performed on rats that showed the rats subjected to sleep deprivation for two to three weeks ended up dying as a result. However, sleep deprivation and insomnia are two completely different conditions, and it is quite uncommon for a person with insomnia to suffer from complete sleep deprivation.
There is a very rare genetic disorder known as FFI – fatal familial insomnia. It has been found in about 40 families world-wide and only effects about 100. It is caused by a neurological degeneration of the brain. It can lead to panic, anxiety, hallucinations, rapid weight loss, complete sleep loss, dementia and eventually death. It is extremely rare, and unless someone in your family suffered from fatal familial insomnia, it is highly likely that you will not develop this condition.
The real cause for concern is that chronic insomnia can make a person more susceptible to developing other, more serious medicals conditions. Long term insomnia has been linked to greater risks of depression and anxiety disorders, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and cancer.
Insomnia will cause you to have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and feeling rested, which can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Because of irregular sleeping habits, insomnia can have adverse effects on your body throughout the day when you are awake. As the problem continues and your body begins to adjust to not sleeping while in your bed, chronic insomnia will set in.
Insomnia Side Effects
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking up early
- Inability to focus
- Impairment of motor functions
- Overall clumsiness
- Problems with memory
- Headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
Side effects and symptoms are those one would experience from any kind of sleep deprivation, such as always feeling tired and having to drag oneself throughout the day. People with insomnia will likely have an inability to concentrate and focus on tasks properly, as well as have trouble with their short term memory. Impairment of motor functions is also likely, leading to poor coordination and overall clumsiness.
Insomnia can lead to some physical pain as well. Not being able to sleep properly can cause constant headaches. It can also cause stomach aches and disrupt your digestive system. Additionally, insomnia can take a toll on your mental state as well. Sleep deprivation and a worsened mood can lead to depression, anxiety, or a tendency of being annoyed easily.
It is important to identify the cause of your insomnia early to be able to treat any adverse effects it has on you. If you do not take any action and insomnia gets worse, it can become a chronic issue and be much harder to cure. You will be able to find a list of possible causes, as well as treatments for insomnia, throughout this site.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that prevents a person from getting adequate sleep. More specifically, there are many types of insomnia that can cause trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and feeling rested, for any amount of time. As a result, irregular sleeping habits will cause a person to have trouble functioning while awake as well. Insomnia is a very common sleeping disorder among adults, children and seniors. It is estimated that about 4 out of 10 adults are affected by troublesome sleeping patterns.
People can experience insomnia effects during any stage of a normal sleep cycle. One can have difficulty falling asleep at night, possibly due to stress or anxiety disorders. Those suffering from other medical conditions may experience insomnia that causes them to wake in the middle of the night several times, and then have trouble going back to sleep. Finally, one can find themselves waking up much earlier than they would normally want – this condition is often linked to clinical depression.
Insomnia can also be characterized by the length of time of the disorder. Transient insomnia will last for less than one week. It is usually caused by temporary stress factors, such as jet lag or a change in sleeping schedules. Short term insomnia lasts anywhere from one week to four weeks. It is usually the result of a change or problem that lingers for a while in one’s life, such as a mid life crisis, overbearing debt, or having to deal with a death in the family. Lastly, there is chronic insomnia that lasts for more than four weeks. It is often associated with another underlying medical issue – treating that condition will help towards ending chronic insomnia. It is best to see a doctor if suffering from short term insomnia and treat it before it can turn into a chronic problem.
Insomnia is also classified whether or not it a symptom of a separate medical condition. Primary insomnia is when a person has trouble sleeping without any other health conditions. A person with secondary insomnia has an underlying medical condition that is the root of the insomnia. For example, illnesses and other sleeping disorders, such as asthma and sleep apnea, can disrupt sleep cycles.
Insomnia is a very common disorder that affects millions of people. If left untreated, insomnia can potentially lead to many physical, emotional and psychological side effects of insomnia that can severely sap your energy on a daily basis.