Determining the Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is an extremely frustrating and debilitating condition for the sufferer.  Determining the underlying cause of insomnia is important in treating the problem.  More is being learned about the treatment for insomnia and the medical profession is becoming more able to diagnose and treat patients suffering from the condition. It can be a difficult problem to diagnose, however being aware of the potential causes can be invaluable in treating your particular disorder.

Risks that Contribute to the Causes of Insomnia

There are a number of characteristics that make a person more susceptible to suffering from insomnia.  For example, females, the elderly, and people who suffer from depression are all much more likely to get insomnia than other groups.  When conditions such as anxiety, stress, use of medications, or medical problems occur, then these may well increase the risk of someone experiencing the disorder.

Different Causes of Insomnia

• Transient and Intermittent Insomnia 

Classifying the causes of insomnia is usually done by how long it lasts.  Transient insomnia is short term, intermittent insomnia occurs on and off, and chronic insomnia is long term.  Each of these variations is caused by different factors. Transient and intermittent insomnia are frequently caused by one or more of the following factors: side effects of medication, extreme temperatures, stress, change in surrounding environment, noise, jet lag or other schedule disruptions such as shift work. 

• Chronic Insomnia 

Causes of chronic insomnia are different and are usually more difficult to pinpoint.  Typically, chronic insomnia is caused by an underlying mental, emotional, or physical disorder.  Depression, kidney disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, heart conditions, asthma, restless leg syndrome, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s Disease, and narcolepsy are all potential underlying causes of chronic insomnia.

 

However, chronic insomnia can also be caused by behavioral factors including substance abuse, such as the excessive use of caffeine or alcohol, can lead to chronic insomnia.  Other behavioral factors include: daytime napping, smoking cigarettes, disrupted sleeping habits and prolonged anxiety over lack of sleep.