Insomnia is a common culprit of disrupted sleep, whether it causes you to wake up frequently in the night, wake up too early or not be able to fall asleep in the first place. Adults are recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and any less could drain your energy, mood and health.
Some individuals only experience acute insomnia, with symptoms lasting days or weeks. Long-term — or chronic — insomnia can stay a month or more. Either form can be detrimental to your quality of life.
There are often cases of insomnia in men and women, but women are at a higher risk. This condition can either be a primary problem or be caused by other underlying conditions, like:
If you are experiencing any of the following, you may want to consider reaching out to a sleep specialist:
Short-term insomnia will often go away on its own, but long-term conditions may require some more treatment. After diagnosis, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes that you can try to improve your sleep quality. These insomnia treatments, such as nighttime breathing exercises or yoga, can reduce stress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common way to treat insomnia. This therapy helps you identify negative thoughts and behaviors contributing to sleep loss. Once discovered, you can replace these thoughts with something more positive, targeting the underlying sleep problem.
If CBT is inadequate, medications are also an option. However, unlike CBT, a sleeping pill won’t solve the underlying problem, resulting in the reoccurrence of insomnia. Medical practitioners often recommend only taking medications every once in a while. Otherwise, it is easy to depend on them.
