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- What is insomnia?
- Symptoms of insomnia
- Causes of insomnia
- Prevention of insomnia
- Risk factors for insomnia
- Complications of insomnia
- When to see a doctor about insomnia
- Diagnosis of insomnia
- Conventional treatment of insomnia
- Alternative/complementary treatment of insomnia
- Living with insomnia
- Caring for someone with insomnia
Insomnia may be unpreventable in certain circumstances:
- Certain medical conditions - there are a number of health conditions which can cause insomnia as a symptom of the disorder. Insomnia from this cause is difficult to prevent. Conditions known to cause insomnia are: anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, neurological disorders, thyroid disorders, respiratory disorders, pain disorders
- Certain medications - there are a number of medications which can cause insomnia as a side effect of the medication. It is difficult to prevent the insomnia from this cause. Medications known to cause insomnia are: anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, cold and flu medicines, corticosteroids, HRT, ritalin, thyroxine
- Menopause - many women who are going through menopause (which is a completely normal part of all women's lives) will also experience insomnia, either due to the hot flushes that make it difficult to sleep at night, or from the fluctuating hormones
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There may be ways to prevent insomnia from occurring or at least reduce severity and duration of symptoms:
- Counselling - people experiencing a stressful situation which is the underlying cause of the primary insomnia, may need to get a referral to a counsellor or psychologist who can help to work through the issues
- Keep blood glucose levels steady - lower than normal blood glucose levels can make a person feel very anxious and unable to get to sleep or even stay asleep. Ensure to eat enough food during the day and if necessary, have a small snack an hour or two before bed, to keep blood glucose levels maintained throughout sleep
- Reduce intake of stimulants - there are many well-known stimulants which increase risk of insomnia (caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, recreational drugs). In order to prevent secondary insomnia from these causes, it is vital to reduce intake or completely avoid them
- Regular exercise - it is important to engage in regular exercise every day, as it helps to improve mood, releases the "feel good" endorphins, exhausts energy and this may reduce incidence of insomnia symptoms from any type of insomnia
- Regulate sleep patterns - while it can be difficult, it is important to try to regulate sleep patters, to reset the internal body clock (and circadian rhythms) back to normal by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This can greatly help to improve insomnia, but only if done on a regular basis
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< 3: causes 5: risk factors > Last reviewed: 19 January 2010 || Last updated: 19 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
