INSOMNIA

Have you ever feel hard to sleep though you want it too??

You fight and force yourself to sleep cause you are really sleepy but your eyes refused to compromised??

Well, it's time for you to get know about INSOMNIA, because.. maybe it is what happen to you now..

Insomnia is a symptom, not a stand-alone diagnosis or a disease. By definition, insomnia is "difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both" or the perception of poor quality sleep. Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint. Insomnia is defined as difficultly falling asleep or staying asleep, resulting in inadequate length of sleep and/or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is not a disease, but a symptom associated with a variety of medical, psychiatric, or sleep disorders. Insomnia may therefore be due to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. Insomnia is not defined by a specific number of hours of sleep that one gets, since individuals vary widely in their sleep needs and practices. Although most of us know what insomnia is and how we feel and perform after one or more sleepless nights, few seek medical advice. Many people remain unaware of the behavioral and medical options available to treat insomnia.

Insomnia is generally classified based on the duration of the problem. Not everyone agrees on one definition, but generally:

• symptoms lasting less than one week are classified as transient insomnia,
• symptoms between one to three weeks are classified as short-term insomnia, and
• those longer than three weeks are classified as chronic insomnia.

THE CAUSES OF INSOMNIA

Almost everyone experiences occasional or short-term insomnia (less than three weeks). Causes of short-term insomnia are typically related to environmental factors such as too much noise or light, temperature extremes, or an uncomfortable bed. Other possible causes include stress (for example, new job or school, deadlines, or examinations) or relationship concerns or losses (for example, death of a family member or friend).

Causes of chronic insomnia (greater than three weeks) are more variable and include the following:

• Medical disorders
  • Chronic pain
  • Severe emphysema
  • Menopause
  • Chronic kidney disease (especially if undergoing dialysis)
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
• Neurologic disorders
  • Parkinson disease
  • Other movement disorders
  • Cluster headaches
• Psychiatric disorders
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Anxiety disorders
• Drug-related insomnia
  • Stimulants (for example, caffeine)
  • Alcohol
  • Addictive substance abuse or withdrawal (for example, attempting to quit smoking)
  • Overuse of sedative-hypnotic drugs

Sleep disorders causing insomnia:

• Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is characterized by the urge to move the legs usually accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation in the legs such a crawling, burning, aching or cramping sensations. RLS often occurs at night while sitting and relaxing, and the sensation and the urge to move is often relieved by movement.
• Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) occurs during sleep and involves periodic movements of the lower legs, causing brief mini-awakenings (arousals from sleep). Severe cases can cause significant sleep interruption and insomnia.
• Sleep apnea is a less common cause of insomnia. This condition is associated with loud snoring and frequent brief awakenings during the night. Many factors, including abnormal structures in the nose or throat, may cause this condition.
• Circadian rhythm disorders (disruption of an individual’s “biological clock”) may occur when a person stays up later and sleeps later, then has difficulty returning to a more normal sleep schedule. People who work during the night (“graveyard shift”) frequently have problems with insomnia.

Primary insomnia may be diagnosed when all other disorders have been excluded. Primary insomnia is often referred to as psychophysiologic insomnia. This disorder often results from a period of stress in a person’s life. Normally, this condition resolves over time, but for some, insomnia results in ongoing tension and an inability to sleep. Bad sleep habits develop, and the person begins to worry about his or her sleep. The bad habits must be “unlearned,” and the person educated regarding good sleep hygiene practices.

THE RISK??

Insomnia causes problems in daytime functioning. Individuals who have insomnia may report mpaired ability to concentrate, memory problems, difficulty coping with minor stressors, and decreased ability to enjoy family and social relationships. People with ongoing insomnia may become depressed. People with insomnia are twice as likely to have fatigue-related motor vehicle accidents than those without sleep problems.

HOW TO TREAT INSOMNIA?

Generally, treatment of insomnia entails both non-pharmacologic (non-medical) and pharmacologic (medical) aspects. It is best to tailor treatment for individual person based on the potential cause. Studies have shown that combining medical and non-medical treatments typically is more successful in treating insomnia than either one alone.

Treatment of insomnia depends on the cause. Nondrug therapy includes using relaxation therapy, controlling stimulation (for example, caffeine ingestion or evening exercise), and limiting time in bed to regular sleep hours. Medications directed toward a specific sleep-disrupting cause should also be considered.

Sedative-hypnotic drugs do not cure insomnia, but they may relieve symptoms. Short-term use (2-3 weeks) of sleeping pills may be warranted for chronic insomnia while other treatments or behavioral therapies are being started.

The choice of sedative-hypnotic depends on the type of sleep problem. If an individual has trouble falling asleep, a quick-acting but short-lasting drug such as zolpidem (Ambien) may be prescribed. These types of drugs are useful because they may be taken after several hours of trying to fall asleep, yet the effects do not last long enough to cause difficulty waking in the morning. Drugs that have longer-lasting actions, such as flurazepam (Dalmane), temazepam (Restoril), estazolam (ProSom), and antidepressants, are useful for individuals who wake up after initially falling asleep.

Non-medical treatment and behavioral therapy include:

• sleep hygiene,
• relaxation therapy,
• stimulus control, and/or
• sleep restriction

Examples of prescription and OTC sleep aids are:     

• benzodiazepine sedatives,
• nonbenzodiazepine sedatives,
• antidepressants,
• and others.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Good luck to free yourself from this disturbing disease..
  And got sleep tight like a baby..
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  girl in the purple,
  XOXO