Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is called insomnia. According to surveys, it is the most common sleep complaint, which affects 56% of all adults in the U.S. at least a few nights each week. Insomnia is not a sleeping disorder but a sign or symptom of another condition. Insomnia can be classified as transient, which is short-term, lasting from a few nights to a few weeks; intermittent, on and off, lasting from time to time; and chronic, this is constant and occurs for longer than one month. The general rule is that when insomnia affects your daily work routine, job performance, and social life then it may be time to seek diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Insomnia

Causes of Insomnia

The most common cause of insomnia is depression.
Other causes include:

  • Arthritis
  • Kidney disease
  • Heart failure
  • Asthma
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Untreated mental illness
  • Certain medications
  • Stress
  • Excessive caffeine intake
  • Chronic pain

Three main factors affect our ability to sleep. First, our need for sleep is similar to our need for food or water: the longer we go without it the more we need it, and the easier it is to fall asleep. This is why “sleeping in” or napping makes it harder to get to sleep at bedtime the next night.

Secondly, our body has an internal clock called the circadian rhythm, which controls sleepiness and wakefulness. It is much easier to enter sleep at certain times of day, especially later in the evening if you work the day shift. Other factors affecting these internal clocks are air travel going east or west (jet lag), inconsistent sleep and wake times or changes in the time for sunrise or sunset.

Thirdly, a state of increased mental arousal will prevent sleep. At times this arousal is helpful such as when a danger is perceived. But when this increased attention is chronic and not related to real danger, it can interfere with sleep. Those who suffer from this perceive themselves as anxious.

An increased state of arousal and disturbed sleep may also be caused by some medications and drugs, such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, decongestants, diet pills, some steroid medicines, and certain anti-depressant medicines. Some people with chronic insomnia have learned to dread bedtime because of the nightly struggle to get sleep, so when bedtime approaches, their level of mental arousal actually goes up and interferes with their ability to sleep.

There are other factors that perpetuate insomnia, which include: worrying about not falling asleep, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, excessive napping and irregular or disrupted sleep schedules. Sometimes stopping these behaviors may eliminate insomnia all together.

Outlook on Insomnia

Fortunately, most patients with chronic insomnia can be helped with a variety of treatments and a positive attitude. If you are suffering from insomnia, call Columbus Sleep Consultants today. We can give you an evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan to take back control of your sleep.

Outlook of Insomnia

EAST
99 N. BRICE RD SUITE 300, COLUMBUS, OH 43213
PHONE: 614-866-8200
REFERRAL FAX: 614-328-2812
MEDICAL RECORDS FAX: 614-328-2809

HOURS
MON-FRI: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

GROVE CITY
1905 OHIO DRIVE, GROVE CITY, OH 43123
PHONE: 614-539-5510
FAX: 614-328-2809

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MON-FRI: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

LANCASTER
1973 E. MAIN ST, LANCASTER, OH 43130
PHONE: 740-652-9930
FAX: 614-328-2809

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MON-FRI: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

NEWARK
78 MESSIMER DR, NEWARK, OH 43055
PHONE: 614-866-8200
FAX: 614-328-2809

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MON-FRI: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

POLARIS
1120 POLARIS PARKWAY, SUITE 200, COLUMBUS, OH 43016
PHONE: 614-866-8200
FAX: 614-328-2809

HOURS
MON-FRI: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

DUBLIN
6850 PERIMETER DR SUITE D, DUBLIN, OH 43016
PHONE: 614-866-8200
FAX: 614-328-2809

HOURS
MON-FRI: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM