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Insomnia

An occasional sleepless night can result from many factors including worry or stress, illness, excitement, and workload. But persistently having trouble falling or staying asleep is a sleep disorder known as insomnia. The lack of adequate sleep may make an individual irritable, hamper the immune system, and lead to fatigue, thus affecting the overall quality of life.

On an average, an adult requires seven to eight hours of sleep. Infants, children, and adolescents typically require more sleep. However, not all adults need eight hours of sleep. Some adults may manage with four to five hours of sleep whereas some may need as many as ten hours.

Studies have shown that at least one out of every ten Americans suffers from chronic insomnia and about one in four suffers from some type of sleeping disorder leading to irregular sleeping patterns.

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Causes and Risk Factors

Insomnia may be a condition in itself or a side effect of another prevalent medical condition. Some common causes of insomnia are:


Stress, anxiety, or depression.
Medical conditions such as those involving or affecting the stomach and oesophagus, fibromyalgia, heart disease, lung disease, arthritis, and restless leg syndrome.
Stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol that interfere with sleep.
Medications such as bronchodilators, decongestants and beta-blockers, weight loss pills, and recreational drugs.
Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and menopause.
Change in normal routine due to travel, seasonal changes, and work schedule.
Older people have more difficulty falling asleep. This is believed to be a result of change in sleeping patterns, change in daily activities, and manifestation of age-related medical conditions.
Lack of activity or sedentary lifestyle. Boredom can also lead to insomnia.
Excessive dependence on sleeping pills may prevent an individual from falling asleep naturally.
Consuming very heavy meals at night, usually very close to bedtime. This may also lead to indigestion and keep one awake all night.
Loud noise, brightness, and unfavorable temperature.

Insomnia can either last for a short term (acute insomnia) or for a long term (chronic insomnia). Chronic insomnia typically lasts for at least three nights each week for at least one month. It usually affects women more than men and can occur at any age, but older people are more prone to insomnia than are younger people.

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