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What Triggers Sleeping Disorders?

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Find out what causes sleep problems and sleeping disorders.

While having trouble falling asleep from time to time can be frustrating, it is nothing like having insomnia. Insomnia is a medical disorder that makes it extremely difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep every night.

A person with insomnia often wakes up feeling groggy and irritable. There are various levels of insomnia. Some insomniacs might get six hours of sleep per night while others may only get two or three. Most insomniacs, though, typically take at least 30 minutes to fall asleep at night. Insomnia is a very frustrating disorder that is caused by several factors.

So what causes sleep problems? Here are some possible culprits:

Stress and Sleep Problems

Stress is one of the more common causes of insomnia. Stress caused by work, school, or family life may keep your mind thinking a lot at night, deterring you from getting a good night’s rest.  Stressful events in life, such as losing a loved one, can also cause insomnia.

Eating Too Much At Night Can Cause Sleep Issues

Although eating a snack before bedtime is okay, eating too much food can make it very difficult to fall asleep. Having too much food in your stomach can make you feel too uncomfortable to fall asleep. It’s also possible to experience heartburn from eating too much, which can cause some pain.

Medications and Insomnia

Many medications can interfere with your sleep including antidepressants, allergy medications, and blood pressure medications. A lot of these medications contain caffeine and other stimulants that keep you awake at night.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly starts and stops throughout the night. A person is more likely to suffer from sleep apnea if she is overweight, elderly, smokes, or has a narrowed airway. Having trouble breathing while sleeping can make it very difficult to get a decent night’s rest because you are constantly waking up.

Drinking Caffeine or Alcohol At Night

Caffeinated beverages, such as pop and coffee, are stimulants and can keep you awake if you drink them late at night. Alcohol can also make it more difficult to get a good night’s rest. Although drinking alcohol initially might help you fall asleep, it will prevent deeper stages of sleep and can cause you to wake up a lot.

Depression and Insomnia

It’s possible to have insomnia when you suffer from depression because there are chemical imbalances in your brain. The worrying that accompanies depression can also keep you from falling asleep.

Having insomnia can be very challenging, but you don’t have to live with it forever. If you have been suffering from insomnia for a while, make an appointment with your doctor. During your appointment, he will recommend several treatment options. For example, he could recommend behavioral treatments that will improve your sleep environment including relaxation techniques, sleep restriction, and light therapy. Your doctor may also suggest taking prescription sleeping pills to help you sleep.

About the Author

Melissa Jones spends her days as an Online Marketing Specialist for www.Respshop.com, a popular online vendor for CPAP supplies.  Melissa’s evenings and weekends are occupied reading, researching running shoes, and tending to her writing obsessions.

 

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