Stress is considered by most sleep experts to be the No. 1 cause of short-term sleeping difficulties. Common triggers include:
Usually the sleep problem disappears when the stressful situation passes. However, if short-term sleep problems such as insomnia aren't managed properly from the beginning, they can persist long after the original stress has passed.
Without realising it, you may be doing things during the day or night that can work against getting a good night's sleep. These include drinking alcohol or beverages containing caffeine in the afternoon or evening, exercising close to bedtime, following an irregular morning and night time schedule, and working or doing other mentally intensive activities right before or after getting into bed.
The word 'insomnia' comes from the Latin 'in' (no) and 'somnus' (sleep), so it literally means 'no sleep', or the inability to sleep. Insomnia is an experience of inadequate or poor quality sleep as characterized by one or more of the following sleep complaints:
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 30-40 percent of adults say they have some symptoms of insomnia within a given year, and about 10-15 percent of adults say they have chronic insomnia.
Sleep specialists classify insomnia in two primary categories: acute and chronic.
Short-term or acute insomnia, which is often due to a temporary situation such as stress, jet lag, change or loss in a job or relationship, can last up to 1 month and is treatable. It is important to address the underlying cause. Effective and safe prescribed medication can help.
Long-term or chronic insomnia, which is experienced for a month or longer, can be due to secondary causes such as medical, physical or psychological conditions, other sleep disorder or medications and substances. It is essential to get a medical diagnosis.
Fortunately, there are treatment options available for insomnia, ranging from behavioural therapy to the use of prescription medicines, or a combination of both.
Although the specific causes of insomnia differ from one person to another, there are some general habits you can adopt that may help you sleep better. Not all practices may apply to everyone with insomnia, so you may want to focus on one or two that seem particularly relevant to your situation.
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