What are the causes of insomnia

Insomnia

Insomnia is defined as sleep disorder, which is the person’s difficulty in sleeping, which may be represented by having difficulty continuing with it, or early awakening and the inability to return to sleep, sometimes accompanied by feeling tired after waking up, Or, insomnia may be a difficulty in going to sleep, and it is worth noting the difference in the number of hours of sleep of individuals, but in general most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and insomnia can affect people of any age, and in adults it is considered Insomnia is more common in females It is worth noting that insomnia may negatively affect some aspects of life, such as a performance disorder during work or school, and may play a role in the incidence of some other health problems.

It should be noted that insomnia may be acute or chronic, so that acute insomnia lasts for a period of several days or a few weeks and usually results from exposure to psychological pressure or traumatic events, while chronic insomnia persists for a month or more, and in general, insomnia may It is a major problem in itself, or it may be associated with specific health conditions or medications.

Causes of insomnia

There are many different causes that may lead to suffering from insomnia, some of which we explain as follows:

Life practices

There are many wrong life practices that may lead to suffering from insomnia, and some of them are described below:

Stress and stress: Exposure to a traumatic event in life, such as the death of a close relative, loss of job, or illness, may lead to suffering from insomnia, in addition to psychological stress caused by study, work, and material conditions, which leads to excessive thinking when lying down to sleep Difficulty sleeping.
Travel or the nature of work: The biological clock, or what is known as circadian rhythm, regulates the sleep cycle, and many vital processes in the body, so its disorder may lead to suffering from insomnia, and that disorder may be related to travel, or work late in the day. Night, or follow the lip system at work.
Bad sleep habits: such as using the bed outside of bedtime to work or watching TV, having an irregular sleep regime, and sleeping in an uncomfortable environment.
Sleep pattern changes with age: The sleep cycle varies naturally with age, so that a person begins to feel sleepy early in the night and begins to wake up early in the morning, in addition to the age that accompanies the decline in the percentage of deep sleep, which makes it easier to wake up in If sounds are heard or some changes occur in the surrounding environment, and as it is known, progress in life may be accompanied by suffering from diseases and the consequent use of medications, as this has an effect on the ability to sleep, and it should be noted that age is linked to decreased activity and taking several Naps during a Day, which makes it difficult to sleep at night.
Drinking alcohol: Despite the effect of calming alcohol in the short term, it causes many disorders that lead to suffering from insomnia in the long run, as it causes a disturbance in the normal sleep cycle including waking up before getting enough sleep, and alcohol may also cause an increase Frequency of urination during the night because it has diuretic properties.
Caffeine: Because of the stimulating effect of caffeine, eating a beverage that contains caffeine before bedtime may lead to insomnia and difficulty falling asleep. It is indicated that eating these drinks six hours before bedtime or a longer period of time protects the effect of caffeine on sleep in many people.
Smoking and nicotine: Nicotine in cigarettes has a stimulant effect similar to that of caffeine, and one of its side effects is insomnia, and due to the reduced effect of nicotine in the morning before waking up, this may lead to withdrawal symptoms and sleep disorders during this period, in addition to the proportion of sleep Deep in smokers is less compared to non-smokers.
The use of electronic devices before bedtime: where several studies have shown the effect of light of electronic devices on the disorder of the percentage of the hormone melatonin - the hormone that plays an important role in sleep - which leads to difficulty sleeping.
A feeling of discomfort and the ability to sleep, in addition to the possibility of causing hot food burning in the stomach and thus sleep disturbance.

Menopause

Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause (also known as menopause) due to several changes accompanying this stage, including the following:

Hot flashes: Night flashes and night sweating are common symptoms that a woman may experience during the menopause, leading to suffering from insomnia, in addition to these symptoms are caused by an increase in the percentage of adrenaline hormone (English: Adrenaline ) In response to the low percentage of certain hormones in women, then adrenaline leads to stimulation and increased body energy, which leads to difficulty sleeping and suffering from insomnia.

Hormonal changes: The menopause stage accompanies the occurrence of many hormonal changes in women, including a decrease in the level of estrogen and progesterone, which leads to a number of changes in the lifestyle and sleep, so that it adapts to These changes, and it should be noted that the hormone progesterone is one of the hormones stimulating sleep, so its decrease leads to suffering from insomnia as well.

Medicines: Women may need to use some medications and supplements during the menopause, which in turn may be accompanied by side effects, including insomnia.

Pregnancy

Most women suffer from the problem of insomnia during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to the increase in the size of the fetus, and the increase in the severity of the symptoms of pregnancy. It should be noted that the suffering of a pregnant woman from insomnia does not affect the health of the fetus, and there are many different factors that may be responsible for Pregnant woman suffers from insomnia, we explain some of it as follows:

Heartburn associated with pregnancy.
Leg cramps.
Psychological anxiety.
frequent urination. Hormonal changes.
Difficulty getting a comfortable position due to the size of the abdomen.
Increased stimulation of metabolic or metabolic processes, which leads to increased body temperature.

pharmaceutical

Insomnia may be caused by the use of some medications, as insomnia is a common side effect of a number of medications, including the following:

Alpha-blockers: one of the side effects associated with the use of this group: insomnia, a person’s feeling sleepy and tired during the day, as well as their effect that leads to a shortening of the duration of some stages of sleep.
Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers cause frequent waking during sleep, and nightmares, and scientists believe this effect is caused by a low percentage of the hormone melatonin, which plays a role in regulating sleep.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids cause insomnia due to their adrenal gland-like hormones, which are responsible for stimulating the body and brain. Optional serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and physicians were unable to clearly determine the mechanism of their insomnia in the affected person, except that these drugs may cause irritation and tremor, which may lead to suffering from insomnia.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (inhibitors), the use of these drugs may lead to suffering from insomnia due to the possibility of a high level of potassium in the body which in turn leads to leg cramps, muscle and bone pain, and diarrhea, in addition to causing these drugs to suffer It is a dry cough in a few cases, which may prevent you from sleeping comfortably at night. Angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs), and these drugs may cause insomnia as a result of the high level of potassium in the body as well as the appearance of symptoms associated with it. Cholinesterase inhibitors: Many symptoms associated with these drugs may disturb sleep ability such as leg cramps, nausea and vomiting, as well as an increase in the percentage of acetylcholine in the brain and body, which is a type of neurotransmitter. This leads to disruption of involuntary functions in the body, including those responsible for sleep.
Certain types of anti-allergens: The second generation of blockers of histamine 1 receptors (H1 antagonist) causes mental anxiety and insomnia due to the inhibition of acetylcholine in the body, and these drugs are prescribed to treat allergic reactions.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements: The use of glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements is accompanied by a number of side effects such as insomnia, diarrhea, and headache. Statins: Statins cause muscle pain, which may affect a person's ability to sleep at night, and this pain may be very severe in some cases.
Cancer medication: Many cancer medications known as chemotherapy drugs cause suffering from fatigue and fatigue during the day, which leads to sleep during the day and insomnia at night, in addition to that some of the drugs used to reduce the side effects associated with cancer drugs may It can lead to fatigue and fatigue as well, such as anti-nausea, or it may lead to insomnia directly, such as steroid medications, in addition to the anxiety and psychological tension associated with developing cancer that may lead to suffering from insomnia as well.

Neurological disorders

Among the nervous disorders that may lead to suffering from insomnia are the following:

Epilepsy: Medicines used to treat epilepsy contribute to suffering from insomnia because of its calming effect that may lead to sleepiness and sleep during the day, which in turn leads to suffering from insomnia at night, and many seizures (English: Seizures) Accompanying epilepsy occurs during the second stage of sleep or when drowsiness, which leads to difficulty falling asleep after a seizure, due to the loss of control over the bladder, panic, and hyperventilation, and it should be noted that some of the triggers of epileptic attacks contribute to suffering from insomnia as well, and on the one hand The other, insomnia may be One of the triggers for epileptic seizures, as it is linked to not getting enough hours of sleep.
Parkinson's disease: Many people with Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's disease suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders, particularly the inability to continue sleeping and thus interrupted, as it is indicated that many Parkinson's patients suffer from depression; depression is severe Same cause of insomnia, it is also indicated that Parkinson's medication may cause insomnia in some cases as a side effect of its use.
Dementia: Alzheimer's disease is accompanied by the appearance of some symptoms that affect a person's ability to sleep, especially during the night, such as irritability and confusion, and this condition is known as sunset syndrome or sunset syndrome, and a person with this may need The situation is subject to treatment and continued health care.
Other disorders: There are several other neurological disorders that may lead to suffering from insomnia, such as headaches including migraines, which may lead to the awakening of the sleeping person, and it should be noted that insomnia and lack of sleep accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, headache , And vision disturbances may indicate other health problems that warrant a visit to the doctor.

Other health disorders

There are many health disorders and problems that may lead to suffering from insomnia, including the following:

Heartburn: Heartburn is a feeling of discomfort or heartburn in the abdomen in addition to the possibility of stomach acid reflux into the esophagus, and the intensity of stomach acid reflux increases when lying down often, and the problem of insomnia and heartburn in this case can be alleviated by Using some medications that help inhibit stomach secretions, avoid eating large and hearty meals in the evening, and refrain from alcohol and caffeinated drinks, in addition to trying to raise the upper body when lying down to prevent stomach acid reflux.
Heart failure: People with heart failure suffer from accumulation of fluid in the lungs and tissues, which may lead to waking up several times due to a feeling of shortness of breath, and heart failure may be accompanied by obstructive sleep apnea. sleep apnea), which is one of the sleep disturbances that leads to waking up several times during sleep at night, and feeling tired and sleepy every day due to not getting enough sleep.
Musculoskeletal disorders: Musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis, may affect a person's ability to sleep and suffer from insomnia due to the pain caused by them, and this may result from treatments used for arthritis, such as Steroid drugs, and some studies have shown that many people with fibromyalgia have a disorder in the normal sleep cycle and the ability to sleep deeply due to a brain disorder.
Respiratory disturbances: Infection with many different respiratory disturbances may lead to difficulty falling asleep or impaired ability to continue sleeping, including emphysema and bronchitis, due to the association of these cases with shortness of breath. , Coughing, excessive phlegm production, as well as difficulty sleeping due to the use of certain medications that treat breathing disorders, such as steroid medications.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism leads to a feeling of drowsiness and lethargy. As for hyperthyroidism, it is accompanied by sleep disturbances, including insomnia, and insomnia may also result from symptoms of thyroid disorders. Others, such as night sweats, as the person wakes frequently due to increased sweating may prevent them from getting enough sleep.
Kidney disease: Insomnia and sleep disorders are common for people with kidney disease, and lack of sleep in this case may be associated with feeling sleepy and tired, in addition to poor performance during the day, and poor quality of life, and the occurrence of insomnia in this case due to many factors associated with kidney disease and its treatments Including metabolic changes, infections, changing sleep regulating mechanisms, symptoms and complications associated with chronic kidney disease, medications, and renal replacement therapies.
Restless legs syndrome: Restless legs syndrome can be defined as a movement disorder that leads to an uncomfortable feeling in the legs, including the desire to move them during rest times, and the feeling of these symptoms increases when you lie down to sleep at night, which may lead to suffering from insomnia and difficulty sleeping, in addition to Extreme sleepiness, fatigue, and tiredness during the day.
Diabetes: People with diabetes may suffer from sleep disorders, including insomnia, as symptoms of diabetes make sleeping more difficult, and lack of sleep per se leads to increased symptoms of sugar worse, and sleep disorders in this case may be attributed to an irregular level of blood sugar And hormones, and often lead to high levels of sugar in the blood during the day to the inability to sleep efficiently during the night, and in this context it is indicated that fatigue may prevent the ability to regulate blood sugar, and it is worth noting that diabetes is linked in several cases to nervous pain Restless leg syndrome, or a break The same, these factors would increase the likelihood of the development of the feeling of insomnia.
Pain: Suffering from acute or chronic pain leads to insomnia and sleep disturbance, as the affected person loses the ability to control hours of sleep and thus gets fewer hours of sleep, and those with pain also suffer from the ease of being affected by the surrounding environmental factors affecting the quality of sleep, such as sounds , Heat, and light.
Urinary incontinence: People with urinary incontinence may experience insomnia due to the urgent need to urinate, or involuntary urination at night.

References

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