Still Awake: What Is Causing Your Insomnia

You look at your clock for the tenth time in what feels like five minutes—it's 2:30 in the morning. If you fall asleep right this very second, which isn't likely because you're too upset, you will get four hours of sleep tonight and face another exhausting day tomorrow. If this is sounds like something you experience on a regular basis, you probably suffer from insomnia. The Mayo Clinic defines insomnia as a persistent disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or both. Insomnia may have several causes.

Chronic Pain

Of people who experience chronic pain, most often back pain, 65 percent also report experiencing insomnia. Many researchers believe that pain is the leading cause of sleep disorders. There are several reasons why pain may interfere with sleep. Obviously, it is difficult to relax enough to fall asleep if you are hurting. Another reason is that people with chronic pain often have very poor sleep habits. They may try to distract themselves from their discomfort by leaving the television on all night or by staying in bed during the daytime when not trying to sleep.

The first step in addressing insomnia caused by chronic pain is treating the source of the pain through medication, relaxation techniques, massages, a more comfortable mattress, and other comforting measures. The next step is to improve sleep habits by turning off the television, teaching people to use their bed only for sleep and providing education about the sleep cycle. Some doctors prescribe sleeping medication for at least a brief period of time.

Depression

Depression affects about 15 percent of the population of the United States, and many people experiencing depression also experience insomnia. It is unclear whether insomnia is a symptom of depression or whether the two are commonly overlapping disorders. Doctors have found that the best outcomes occur when they treat the insomnia and the depression as separate disorders. This usually means a type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. CBT is used to educate about reality and to challenge negative, unrealistic thoughts. For instance, the person who is upset because he or she hasn't fallen asleep in two minutes might be taught to think, "It's normal to take time to fall asleep. This doesn't mean there is anything wrong with me." CBT is also used to treat depression. Additionally, doctors may prescribe a sleep aid for the insomnia and an antidepressant medication to ease the symptoms of depression.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome affects about one out of 10 people in the United States. Most of these people are over the age of 45, and about 50 percent are women. People with restless leg syndrome experience burning, itching, and the urge to move their legs while at rest. Treatment for restless leg syndrome involves several behavioral interventions such as exercising to relieve tension, practicing relaxation, massaging the legs or soaking in a hot bath or sauna. Since restless leg syndrome is sometimes caused by an iron deficiency, iron pills may make sleeping easier. Other medications used to treat restless leg syndrome include sleeping pills, anti-seizure medications, and narcotic pain pills.

Sleep Apnea

Between six and seven percent of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, which causes a person to stop breathing during sleep. Symptoms include snoring, choking and waking up gasping for air. Some people may awaken hundreds of times each night without even being fully aware of it.

Insomnia is a difficult problem to wrestle with. It can leave you feeling tired, depressed and irritable, but depending on the cause of your insomnia, there are therapies, medications, and lifestyle changes you can make to ease the symptoms and get yourself some much needed rest.

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