Insomnia: The Most Common Sleep Disorder

Everybody needs a good night's sleep so their body works properly. Sleep is an 'altered state of consciousness' where higher mental and physical activity shuts down so the body tissues have time to repair themselves. Sleep has several distinct stages, which cycle up to five times per night:
(1) the hypnogogic state, experienced as drowsiness or sleepiness
(2) light sleep sometimes called alpha sleep
(3) deep sleep, which gets deeper until the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) or dreaming state is reached.

Insomnia is defined as a condition where a person regularly (not occasionally) has difficulty dropping off to sleep or else cannot sleep long enough to feel properly refreshed in the morning. Most people have had broken sleep at some stage even if they haven't had full-blown insomnia. Research has shown that women are more prone to sleep disorders such as insomnia, and that they are more likely to occur later on if life.

People suffering from insomnia are likely to experience the following problems:

- waking up at intervals during the night

- feeling tired and listless after a lack of sleep during the night

- feeling bad-tempered the next day, accompanied by difficulty in concentrating

- waking up very early the following morning

Causes of insomnia

Several factors can determine why certain sleep disorders occur, for example the root ofinsomnia can often be pinpointed to anxiety. Stress or trauma can trigger a lack of sleep, which can ultimately progress to insomnia or some other sleep disorder. In some cases insomnia can be a direct result of having a disrupted sleeping environment. Too much light and noise, uncomfortable mattresses and pillows, feeling too hot or too cold, or getting up to use the lavatory are all causes of a lack of sleep.

In a few situations, insomnia can be caused by a physical condition, or even a mental health problem such as depression (although sometimes it works the other way, with insomnia causing depression).How can insomnia be treated?

If you think you suffer from a sleep disorder, or are simply having trouble sleeping, you should consider seeing a health professional to ensure there are no medical reasons for your lack of sleep. Your physician will determine whether you are suffering from long-term or short-term insomnia, and may also prescribe drugs to help you to sleep, especially if your lack of sleep is affecting you throughout the day.

But there are several things you can do yourself to help with your insomnia. Try to establish a fixed time to go to bed, and don't sleep in - even if you have had a poor night's sleep, this establishes a pattern that your body will become accustomed to. Don't nap during the day, no matter how tired you are - keep sleeping for the night hours. Be careful with what you eat and drink throughout the day. Caffeine and alcohol taken within six hours of going to bed can affect your sleep due to the sugar. Also, make sure you don't eat a heavy meal late at night, again as the sugar will disrupt your sleep. Try to avoid exercise near to the time you go to bed as the adrenaline this produces will keep you awake also.

No matter which method of treatment you prefer, don't let insomnia overcome you and dominate your life. Take control and enjoy the effects of a good night's sleep.

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