Wednesday 4 September 2013

Crucial Information About Insomnia

By Elaina Guerrant


There are hundreds of sleep disorders from which an individual may suffer. Some people find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. There are also those who never develop healthy sleeping habits, although the reason for this is not known, and they subsequently find themselves in a continuous struggle to acquire enough rest. Insomnia and other sleep disorders resolve on their own for certain individuals; however, treatments such as medication and behavioral therapy are necessary for others.

Most doctors report that about 30 percent of adults have battled insomnia at least one time in their life. In addition, approximately 12 percent of the population suffers from a form of the condition that is chronic. Those afflicted with the disorder, whether it is classified as temporary or chronic, are usually unable to fall asleep initially and typically awaken before they should, as well as at multiple times during the night. The side effects associated with insomnia include daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression, headaches and anxiety.

Sleeping disorders can occur for no known cause, which is also referred to as idiopathic insomnia. The affliction may also be caused by underlying health conditions or from the side effects of certain drugs. For instance, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and antidepressants have the potential to cause sleeplessness.

Some insomniacs suffer from clinical depression and their inability to sleep is a symptom of their illness. Additionally, those with gastroesophageal conditions are often prone to insomnia. A doctor will usually recommend a treatment based on the underlying cause of the person's insomnia, if one can be identified.

If the condition is thought to be transient, behavioral therapy such as muscle relaxation and visualization may be prescribed. Doing breathing exercises and deliberately releasing muscle tension can help those with insomnia to fall asleep. Other treatments include sleeping pills such as Ambien, ramelteon or Lunesta.

Another type of sleeping disorder from which some people suffer is called narcolepsy. The latter is believed to be related to a misfiring of the individual's nervous system. When this occurs, the person falls asleep suddenly at inappropriate times. Throughout a narcolepsy episode, the individual may feel paralyzed or lose all muscle tone. In addition, hallucinations are sometimes experienced, although this is usually only seen in severe cases.

According to medical experts, night terrors are also classified as a nervous system disorder that results in sleeplessness. Those who suffer from this condition often wake up after a particularly troubling nightmare and typically remain awake for several hours afterwards. Night terrors usually strike between the hours of midnight and 3 AM, and are much more common in children than adults.

Sleeping studies are often completed on insomniacs in an attempt to determine the precise type of condition from which they are suffering. This enables healthcare practitioners to recommend the most appropriate treatment. However, certain individuals find it difficult to sleep in an unfamiliar environment, thus making such tests impractical for some insomniacs.

Most physicians order tests when evaluating an insomniac for the first time, as this can help them to rule out any underlying health problems that may be causing the condition. Therefore, those who are battling insomnia and other sleep disorders should seek expert advice from a qualified healthcare practitioner.




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