Many millions of people suffer from insomnia and here we look at perhaps the 6 most common causes of this common sleep disorder.

Insomnia is an extremely common sleep disorder which is characterized by interruptions to sleep, shortened sleeping time, restlessness and on occasions by complete wakefulness.

Aside from being very annoying, insomnia can result in sufferers losing their energy and enthusiasm, developing memory and concentration difficulties and feeling lethargic and frustrated. In turn this can lead to a reduction in work productivity and to accidents which may well have serious consequences.

There are a host of different things that can cause insomnia but here look at just 6 which are commonly linked to this sleep disorder:

1. Environmental Factors. Our environment is very important when it comes to sleep and things like noise, light or extremes of temperature can lead to insomnia.

2. Substance Abuse. Possible the most obvious of all forms of substance abuse in relation to insomnia is coffee and other drinks such as tea and colas which contain high levels of caffeine. Another commonly accepted cause is smoking with heavy smokers consuming more than enough nicotine to result in problems sleeping. What is possibly not so well known however is that this list of substances is extensive and even boasts several herbal remedies used for a wide range of diverse problems and which can produce insomnia as a side effect. We should also not forget alcohol. Although it is certainly true that alcohol can frequently make you feel tired at first once it has been metabolized it will also keep you wide awake.

3. The Biological Clock. We all have our own body clock or circadian rhythm which regulates the body’s sleep/wake cycle. If this biological clock is upset by things like staying up all night partying, studying well into the small hours in college or flying off around the world on business or on holiday, then you will inevitably suffer from sleeping problems while your body clock slowly re-adjusts itself.

4. Activities Prior To Going To Bed. There is a list of things that can produce insomnia if they take place close to bedtime and two items at the top of this list are taking exercise shortly before going to bed or eating a big meal shortly before retiring. These particular activities stimulate the body’s metabolism and keep you awake.

5. Health Problems. There are a large number of health problems that are known to induce insomnia including heart failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, ulcers, and Parkinson’s disease. Asthma is also being seen more and more as a cause of insomnia, as is the need for frequent urination, heartburn and chronic pain resulting from things like arthritis and leg cramps. The list of medical conditions which can cause insomnia is very long and also includes other types of sleep disorder such as sleep apnea as well as a range of psychiatric conditions.

6. Emotional Difficulties. Nearly everyone suffers from emotional difficulties at times and this can frequently show itself as anxiety or anger. We also often tend to keep our feelings to ourselves instead of seeking an answer for them and this commonly leads to insomnia.

HelpMeToSleep.com provides information on a range of different cures for insomnia and also looks in detail at a number of insomnia causes.

By Donald Saunders Published: 8/18/2008

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The Cause Of Insomnia- My Nightly Irritation

There are many causes of insomnia that lead to the daily exhaustion associated with the inability to get a restful night’s sleep.

Psychological causes of insomnia, such as anxiety, depression, or stress, lifestyle related challenges, such as the use of drugs or alcohol, late-night partying, too much caffeine, or strenuous exercise late at night, and physical causes, such as sleep apnea, prostate troubles, sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, and asthma are a few of the reasons you might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

There are two types of insomnia, primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is not related to any other condition and generally lasts for a period of at least one month.

It is not really clear if some people are born with a higher propensity to have insomnia or not. There are several lifestyle changes, such as excessive stress, being upset, travel, work schedules that interrupt your normal sleep routine, which can trigger primary insomnia.

Other causes of insomnia includes issues such as taking frequent naps, obsessing about the inability to get a good night’s sleep, and even going to bed early are all associated with primary insomnia. So you can readily see we have already identified several causes of insomnia.

Secondary insomnia is most commonly a symptom of a medical disorder, a neurological condition, or an emotional issue.

Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease can all lead to secondary insomnia.

Causes of insomnia that can lead to secondary insomnia are physical issues such as indigestion, an overactive thyroid gland, the effects of a stroke, restless legs syndrome, chronic pain such as headaches, fibromyalgia, or arthritis, and even medical issues which cause difficulty breathing, such as congestive heart failure or asthma.

Personal choices can also have side effects of secondary insomnia. These causes of insomnia include the use of alcohol or other sedatives, caffeine or other stimulants, certain medications such as beta blockers which are used to treat certain heart conditions, tobacco or other nicotine containing products, and even certain asthma, allergy and medications which can contain stimulants.

Causes of insomnia vary widely and yet as we take the time to identify the cause of insomnia we have the best shot at finding the best treatment that can help to restore the nighttime to one of peace and rest once again.

By: Jeff Foster -

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For more important information on getting a good night’s sleep be sure to visit www.sleep-good.com where you will find advice and tips on sleep habits insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, and more.

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