EEG Biofeedback: Sleep Disorders Sleeplessness | Neurofeedback Pages
Types of Sleep Issues •
What is Insomnia? •
Insomnia Causes •
Insomnia Symptoms •
Causes of Insomnia •
Anxiety and depression = Insomnia? •
What is Snoring? •
Causes of Snoring •
Where does the snore sound come from? •
Causes of Snoring •
Dealing with complaints about your snoring •
What is Sleep Apnea? •
symptoms of Sleep Apnea •
Snoring or is it sleep apnea? •
Quick test to see if you have Sleep Apnea •
Sleep apnea and risk factors •
Treatment for Sleep Apnea •
Tips for preventing sleep apnea •
EEG case study: Sleeeplessness Sleep Disorders
Sleeplessness: Insomnia
What is Insomnia?
Almost everyone will be affected by insomnia at some point during life. Insomnia - a short term or chronic inability to get high quality sleep - is a common sleep problem and can be caused by a variety of things including stress, a change in time zones, an altered sleep schedule or poor bedtime habits. Whether your problem is an occasional sleepless night or a series of them, plenty of solutions exist to help you get better sleep.
Note of Caution about Insomnia
Insomnia often acts as a flashing yellow light in terms of sleep problems. Your insomnia might be a symptom of a more significant sleep problem or disorder, or a starting point for dealing with a physical, mental or emotional challenge. Your inability to go to sleep or stay asleep might be related to your partner's snoring, your own sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, or it might be related to an urgent situation at work, or a difficult family issue. Whatever the cause of your insomnia, being mindful of your sleep habits and learning to relax will help you sleep better and feel better.
Insomnia Causes
Do you struggle for hours to get to sleep, no matter how tired you are? Or do you wake up in the middle of the night and lie awake for hours, anxiously watching the clock? If so, you're in good company. Insomnia is a very common sleep problem. It's frustrating to toss and turn during the night, only to wake up bleary-eyed at the sound of the alarm and drag through the day exhausted.
Insomnia takes a toll on your energy, mood, and ability to function during the day. Chronic insomnia can even contribute to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. But you don't have to put up with insomnia. Simple changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can put a stop to sleepless nights.
Can't sleep? Understanding insomnia and its symptoms
Insomnia is the inability to get the amount of sleep you need to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Because different people need different amounts of sleep, insomnia is defined by the quality of your sleep and how you feel after sleeping-not the number of hours you sleep or how quickly you doze off. Even if you're spending eight hours a night in bed, if you feel drowsy and fatigued during the day, you may be experiencing insomnia.
| Symptoms of insomnia |
| * | Difficulty falling asleep despite being tired |
| * | Waking up frequently during the night |
| * | Trouble getting back to sleep when awakened |
| * | Unrefreshing sleep |
| * | Relying on sleeping pills or alcohol to fall asleep |
| * | Waking up too early in the morning |
| * | Daytime drowsiness, fatigue, or irritability |
| * | Difficulty concentrating during the day |
Although insomnia is the most common sleep complaint, it is not a single sleep disorder. It's more accurate to think of insomnia as a symptom of another problem. The problem causing the insomnia differs from person to person. It could be something as simple as drinking too much caffeine during the day or a more complex issue like an underlying medical condition or feeling overloaded with responsibilities.
The good news is that most cases of insomnia can be cured with changes you can make on your own-without relying on sleep specialists or turning to prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pills.
Causes of insomnia: Figuring out why you can't sleep
In order to properly treat and cure your insomnia, you need to become a sleep detective. Emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression cause half of all insomnia cases. But your daytime habits, sleep routine, and physical health may also play a role. Try to identify all possible causes of your insomnia. Once you figure out the root cause, you can tailor treatment accordingly.
| Questions to ask yourself... |
| * | Are you under a lot of stress? |
| * | Are you depressed? Do you feel emotionally flat or hopeless? |
| * | Do you struggle with chronic feelings of anxiety or worry? |
| * | Have you recently gone through a traumatic experience? |
| * | Are you taking any medications that might be affecting your sleep? |
| * | Do you have any health problems that may be interfering with sleep? |
| * | Is your sleep environment quiet and comfortable? |
| * | Do you try to go to bed and get up around the same time every day? |
Common mental and physical causes of insomnia:
Sometimes, insomnia only lasts a few days and goes away on its own, especially when the insomnia is tied to an obvious temporary cause, such as stress over an upcoming presentation, a painful breakup, or jet lag. Other times, insomnia is stubbornly persistent. Chronic insomnia is usually tied to an underlying mental or physical issue.
| * | Psychological problems that can cause insomnia: depression, anxiety, chronic stress, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder. |
| * | Medications that can cause insomnia: antidepressants; cold and flu medications that contain alcohol; pain relievers that contain caffeine (Midol, Excedrin); diuretics, corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, high blood pressure medications. |
| * | Medical problems that can cause insomnia: asthma, allergies, Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroidism, acid reflux, kidney disease, cancer, or chronic pain. |
| * | Sleep disorders that can cause insomnia: sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome. |
Anxiety and depression: Two of the most common causes of chronic insomnia
Most people suffering from an anxiety disorder or depression have trouble sleeping. What's more, the sleep deprivation can make the symptoms of anxiety or depression worse. If your insomnia is caused by anxiety or depression, treating the underlying psychological issue is the key to the cure.
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