Insomnia is among the most dreaded health complications that most people try to keep it at bay. It occurs when you’re unable to get the needed sleep to feel refreshed. Among the most notable causes of insomnia include stress, jet lag, chronic health conditions, or even pregnancy.
Individuals who live with insomnia might find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. Moreover, they tend to wake up from several hours of sleep not feeling refreshed, and might experience fatigue and difficulty functioning throughout the day.
Bear in mind quality sleep is essential for your overall well-being. Failing to get the needed sleep on a regular basis can have a pretty significant impact on your mental and physical health, not to mention quality of life. That’s a situation you never want to put yourself in at any given time.
But how can you tell whether or not you’re dealing with insomnia? Fret not since you can typically recognize insomnia by watching out for a few signs and symptoms. One notable symptom is waking up too early and finding yourself unable to fall back asleep.
The same applies if you spend a lot of the night lying awake, worrying you won’t fall asleep. Moreover, a consistent pattern of interrupted or broke sleep that doesn’t refresh you. As a result, you might start experiencing other symptoms related to lack of sleep, including fatigue, irritability and other mood changes, and difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
Remember, experts describe insomnia in a few different ways, depending on its special characteristics. Among the different types of insomnia you should know about include acute insomnia, chronic insomnia, onset insomnia, maintenance insomnia, and behavioral insomnia of childhood. Bear in mind insomnia can also be primary or secondary.
So, how do you treat insomnia? Well, your doctor can recommend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for insomnia. With support from an online or in-person therapist, you can learn specific techniques to address insomnia, including stimulus control, sleep restriction, and bright light therapy.
There is a good chance that your therapist will offer guidance on relaxation techniques, together with sleep hygiene practices that help you address behaviors preventing you from getting enough quality sleep. Your medical practitioner might also prescribe medication to treat insomnia.
Ensure you have a word with your doctor to help diagnose and treat insomnia without going through a lot.
