The Ins and Outs of Insomnia: Understanding the Science and Solutions from Emily Taylor's blog

Sleep problems are common and can have serious health consequences. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including mental health conditions and physical health issues. They can also be caused by life circumstances, like stressors and travel or by changing shift work schedules. Anyone who has trouble falling or staying asleep should talk to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Stress

Regardless of its source, stress can make it harder to fall and stay asleep. This is because the body’s natural response to stressful events causes a release of hormones like cortisol, which can inhibit sleep. This can occur for many reasons, including worries about work or family, anxiety about a major life change, or even the effects of jet lag and sleeping in an unfamiliar time zone.

Chronically difficult or disrupted sleep can lead to a wide range of problems, from irritability and trouble with concentration and memory to heightened risk of depression and obesity. In addition, insomnia can interfere with the treatment of other medical or psychiatric conditions.

Some people experience acute insomnia for a short period of time, while others have chronic insomnia that lasts for a few nights to several months. If you struggle with sleep, speak with your doctor to identify possible solutions for your specific situation. The sooner you start exploring possible solutions, the faster you can find a way to get better sleep.

Medications

Many medications—from antidepressants to cancer treatments to cold and flu remedies—can cause insomnia, especially if they’re taken regularly or for extended periods of time. Insomnia can also affect some mental health symptoms, like anxiety and depression. For that reason, it’s important to address those issues as well as the sleep disturbances.

Often, insomnia is temporary and resolves once the underlying stressor or medical condition is resolved. However, if it’s chronic, it may be difficult to treat without help from a professional. To overcome the Insomnia use Zopiclone 10 mg pills.

Try-and-true strategies like keeping a consistent bedtime, shutting down electronic devices before bed and avoiding caffeine and other stimulants during the day usually improve sleep problems. It’s a good idea to work with a healthcare provider as soon as you notice sleep problems, so they can recommend the best treatment options. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is generally considered the gold standard in chronic insomnia treatment, Meskill says. It helps people change their thinking and behavior about sleeping, and is more effective than prescription medication.

Sleep Habits

A variety of factors can interfere with the quality and duration of sleep. These include shift work and frequent travel, which disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle; chronic health problems such as asthma, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, and cancer, which may aggravate or worsen stress, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders; and medications including beta blockers, alpha blockers, antidepressants, and sedatives used to treat glaucoma and high blood pressure, which decrease REM sleep, increase daytime sleepiness, and cause drowsiness.

To help improve sleep, try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning, including on weekends. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the hours leading up to bedtime. Take short naps during the day, keeping them to less than 30 minutes. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid using your computer or phone before bed and do a calming activity, such as reading, until you feel sleepy. To reduce the insomnia use the Zopiclone 7.5 mg.

Sleep Environment

The body's internal 'clock' (which is controlled by the secretion of certain hormones like melatonin) helps to synchronize sleep, waking and daytime activities. When sleep is disrupted, it can lead to an inability to function and can contribute to other health problems.

Often, a person's environment and daytime habits can contribute to their insomnia. Whether they are experiencing emotional stress, taking medications that can affect sleep, or have a bed partner who doesn't share the same sleep schedule and routine, these factors can influence your ability to fall and stay asleep at night.

The best way to understand your sleep problems is by talking to your doctor and becoming a "sleep detective." Insomnia can take a serious mental and physical toll on people when it becomes chronic, so it's important to find the root cause of your sleeping difficulties.