What could be causing your sleep problem?
- Category: General Health
- Date: 16-12-2022
Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which one has trouble falling or staying asleep or both. Most adults need an average of seven hours of sleep a night. Getting enough sleep is not luxury but it is something people need for good health. Not getting enough sleep can have dire consequences resulting from reduced concentration such as motor vehicle crashes and mistakes at work.
Insomnia can be short term (acute) or last for a long time (chronic). Acute insomnia lasts for a night to a couple of weeks while chronic insomnia is when sleep disturbances last at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more.
Insomnia can be classified as:
- Initial or Sleep onset insomnia: Trouble getting to sleep.
- Sleep maintenance or terminal insomnia: Staying asleep throughout the night or waking up early.
- Mixed Insomnia: Difficulty in getting to sleep and staying asleep.
- Paradoxical insomnia: Also called subjective insomnia. Is the reporting of severe insomnia without objective evidence of sleep disturbance or significant impairment of daytime function
Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia may result from stress, travel, life events or habits that disrupt sleep. Treating the underlying cause can resolve the insomnia. Other causes include mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. As one gets older, their sleep pattern may change.
Symptoms of insomnia
Insomnia may manifest as:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night.
- Waking up during the night and failing to sleep again
- Waking up too early
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability or low mood
- Low concentration; Increased errors/accidents
What to do if you have insomnia: In case you experience sleep disturbance, the following habits can help treat it or prevent it from worsening:
- Staying active or exercising during day
- Avoid taking naps during day
- Keep your bedtime consistent
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine
- Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep
- Create a relaxing bedtime ritual like warm bath, reading or listening to soft music
In case symptoms do not improve, call +256 39 4504531 to schedule an appointment to speak to a doctor for further assessment.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which one has trouble falling or staying asleep or both. Most adults need an average of seven hours of sleep a night. Getting enough sleep is not luxury but it is something people need for good health. Not getting enough sleep can have dire consequences resulting from reduced concentration such as motor vehicle crashes and mistakes at work.
Insomnia can be short term (acute) or last for a long time (chronic). Acute insomnia lasts for a night to a couple of weeks while chronic insomnia is when sleep disturbances last at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more.
Insomnia can be classified as:
- Initial or Sleep onset insomnia: Trouble getting to sleep.
- Sleep maintenance or terminal insomnia: Staying asleep throughout the night or waking up early.
- Mixed Insomnia: Difficulty in getting to sleep and staying asleep.
- Paradoxical insomnia: Also called subjective insomnia. Is the reporting of severe insomnia without objective evidence of sleep disturbance or significant impairment of daytime function
Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia may result from stress, travel, life events or habits that disrupt sleep. Treating the underlying cause can resolve the insomnia. Other causes include mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. As one gets older, their sleep pattern may change.
Symptoms of insomnia
Insomnia may manifest as:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night.
- Waking up during the night and failing to sleep again
- Waking up too early
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability or low mood
- Low concentration; Increased errors/accidents
What to do if you have insomnia: In case you experience sleep disturbance, the following habits can help treat it or prevent it from worsening:
- Staying active or exercising during day
- Avoid taking naps during day
- Keep your bedtime consistent
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine
- Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep
- Create a relaxing bedtime ritual like warm bath, reading or listening to soft music
In case symptoms do not improve, call +256 39 4504531 to schedule an appointment to speak to a doctor for further assessment.