According to experts, most adults should strive for 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. However, the truth is that many individuals don’t achieve it. In fact, several people occasionally have trouble falling or staying asleep, while others suffer from a sleep disorder that causes regular sleep disruptions. And as a result, individuals with good insurance plans like the Medicare Supplement plans quickly resort to seeking professional help.
There are several variations of sleep disorders, ranging from those that may occasionally interfere with sleep—like jet lag, which interferes with circadian rhythms—to those that frequently occur, like insomnia. There are two general categories of insomnia. Acute insomnia is the term used to describe sleep disruption brought on by stress or trauma. On the other hand, chronic insomnia is characterized by sleep disturbances occurring three or more nights per week for at least three months.
Symptoms of Insomnia
Aside from the symptoms listed above. Many people with insomnia report daytime problems such as:
Feeling as if sleep was un-refreshing (non-restorative).- Experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness.
- General lack of energy.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Mood and behavior disturbances such as irritability, aggression, and impulsive behaviors.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Forgetfulness.
- Decreased performance at work or school.
- Troubles in personal and professional relationships.
- Having accidents at work or while driving fatigued.
- Decreased quality of life.
- Depression.
Feeling as if sleep was un-refreshing (non-restorative).Types and Causes of Insomnia
Classifying insomnia depends on two different factors: duration, as in how long it typically lasts and how often it occurs, and discovering the underlying cause of insomnia, as in whether it is directly associated with another health condition or not.
Acute Insomnia and Chronic Insomnia
Acute insomnia is experiencing sleep loss over a short period of time. It can last from one night to a few weeks. The causes of acute insomnia can vary but may include:
- Excessive worry
- Stress
- Receiving bad news
- Life circumstances
- Jet lag
- Shift-work
- Illness
- Emotional or physical discomfort
- Environmental factors such as noise, light, or temperature
- Stimulants such as nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol
- Poor sleep hygiene practices
- Certain medications including some that are used to treat nasal/sinus allergies, colds, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma.
Chronic insomnia is when symptoms of poor sleep quality occur on 3 or more nights per week for a month or longer. Causes of chronic insomnia include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chronic Stress
- Pain or discomfort at night
Causes of insomnia can also be classified as either primary insomnia (not directly related to a medical condition), or secondary insomnia (associated with an existing medical or psychiatric condition).
How Can You Manage Insomnia?
- Establish A Bedtime
Though it may sound immature, setting a bedtime is a fantastic place to start when trying to change your sleep pattern. Start by keeping track of the amount of time you will devote each day to performing essential tasks. Then, establish what time you will be going to bed. You can do this to set a realistic wake-up time and a time to retire to bed. Your body’s rhythm will begin to shift when you follow a regular schedule. Lastly, refrain from pressing the snooze button. As incredible as it may sound, skipping your alarm will throw you off schedule and possibly cause you to be late for your day’s activities.
- Create A To-Do List Before Going To Bed
One of the most common issues with insomniacs is that their minds will not stop roaming. Worrying about tomorrow’s major job presentation or what you should’ve said during an altercation two years ago will only make it more challenging to sleep. Instead, make a list of everything you’re thinking about. Make a to-do list for tomorrow’s activities, another one with random thoughts, and perhaps sketch a few images to remove negative memories from your mind. Putting your ideas on paper is a terrific method to get them out of your mind and help you sleep better.
- Switch Off All Electrical Gadgets
Leave all electronic gadgets, particularly your smartphone, away from the bed. Switch them off at least one hour prior to your bedtime if you have to have them in the bedroom. The blue light produced by these screens has been shown to interfere with the body’s generation of melatonin, a substance that promotes sleep.
- Consult A Physician
It’s okay to see a doctor after attempting all of the ways listed above and more. And with insurance like the Medicare Supplement plans, it can be easier to do so. Remember that however minor and insignificant your insomnia appears, it is a severe condition that professionals can treat. Talking to a doctor usually results in maintaining a sleep diary, attempting psychological therapy, and doing lengthy questionnaires.
There are over-the-counter and prescription sleep aid medications available to help with symptoms of insomnia. However, it is not recommended to use over-the-counter medications as their effectiveness and side effects may vary and be undesired. It is best to discuss possible sleep aids with your primary care physician.
If another sleep disorder is the underlying cause of your poor quality sleep troubles, a sleep study may be necessary to diagnose and treat the sleep disorder. The final and most effective tip is not to lie awake worried if you can’t sleep. Step out of bed and engage in a relaxing activity until you feel sleepy, then go back to bed.
If you live in the state of Alaska and believe that a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy made be causing you to experience insomnia, schedule a call for a free consultation by clicking the link below with Alaska Sleep Clinic.
