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Insomnia - a sleep disorder


APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

Insomnia is the sleep disorder which can affect the overall health of every individual. The people like a traveler, elderly people, druggist, shift workers, pregnant women, menopausal women, adolescent and those having health disorders are more victim of insomnia.

It is of three types.
1. Transient Insomnia: It is said to occur when symptoms last up to 3 nights.
2. Acute Insomnia (Short-term Insomnia): Symptoms are seen up to several weeks.
3. Chronic Insomnia: Symptoms are seen for months and can be seen for years.
Insomnia can occur at any age but females are suffering from Insomnia more than males according to research.

Causes of Insomnia
These five causes are the main causes of Insomnia.
1.Life Stress (job shift, relationship problems),
2. Illness, emotional or physical discomfort (break up, low back pain, etc)
3. Psychological factors (depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder or psychotic disorder)
4. Environmental factors (Noise, light, uncomfortable temperatures),
5. Medication (medicines used to treat colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure, asthma).
Sign and Symptoms of Insomnia
The common signs and symptoms of Insomnia include:
1. Worried during sleeping time,
2. Difficulty in sleeping,
3. Sleepy during daytime,
4. Irritability,
5. Depression or Anxiety,
6. Lack of concentration and focus,
7. Frequent headaches,
8. Gastrointestinal problems like reflux,
9. Waking frequently in the night.

Diagnosis
A physical exam is conducted by a doctor (sleep specialist) and individual medical history and sleeping patterns are recorded and even psychiatric disorders are screened. Patients are asked to record their sleeping schedules in the sleep diary. Polysomnography is employed to record sleep patterns. Also, actigraphy is conducted. Actigraphy uses a small wrist worn device. It measures the movement and sleep-wake pattern.

Treatment
For the treatment of Insomnia, the major cause has to be determined so real approaches can be used for treatment. Remedies can be home remedies, psychological and non-pharmacological approaches and can be medical treatment also which are listed as:
1. Use of relaxation technique like meditation, and muscle relaxation.
2. Maintaining Sleep Hygiene by following regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
3. Taking Cognitive therapy and Stimulus Control therapy,
4. Restricting daytime sleep,
5. Medical treatments like the use of sleeping pills, antidepressants, melatonin.

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.




Reference:

An Overview of Insomnia
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes#2

Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9155.php

What causes Insomnia?
https://sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/content/what-causes-insomnia

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