Causes and Treatment for Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to get to sleep, or sleep fully through the night. Insomniacs may suffer from falling asleep for a short time only to awaken and spend hours tossing and turning as they struggle to get back to sleep. Insomnia tends to affect adults and is more common in older adults.

There are many causes of insomnia. Often in adults, insomnia can be caused by stress.

Especially in this economy, many adults are worried about their jobs, paying the bills, or losing their home. Other stressors can include school, relationship problems, or family issues.

Sometimes insomnia is caused by medical problems, such as chronic pain. Sufferers may fall asleep, only to be awakened by pain. Medications can often cause problems sleeping. If this is the cause, ask your physician if another medication may be substituted. Many people are surprised to find that alchohol can cause insomnia. While a drink may make you fall asleep initially, it can also disrupt the normal sleep cycle, causing you to awaken in the middle of the night. Sleep apnea in which breathing stops several times while asleep can also poor quality sleep.

There are several treatments for insomnia, from prescription drugs to warm baths. Non-pharmacologic treatments include sleep hygiene, which addresses the sleep environment. A cool, dark room with a comfortable mattress helps promote restful sleep. Some people can only sleep in a quiet room, while others prefer a fan or sound machine to drown out street noise. For some people, a warm bath and quiet activity, such as reading help the mind shut down and prepare for sleep. Avoid TV, computers, and video games, as they have been shown to have a stimulant effect.

Aromatherapy promotes the use of various scents to produce calming effects. Lavender pillow mist is sold by many companies to infuse the calming scent of lavender in the sleep environment. Many spa lines offer prepackaged baskets of scented lotions, bath gels, and candles to help relaxation and promote sleep. While vigorous exercise before bed should be avoided, gentle stretching and yoga can help with sleep.

When these measures don't work, your physician can prescribe drugs. A few over-the-counter (OTC) meds are available, but may not work for chronic insomnia. Some common prescription drugs are Ambien, Restoril, and Lunesta. Anti-anxiety drugs such as xanex and valium may be prescribed. Do not take more than the prescribed dose or combine these drugs with OTC meds without your physician's consent. Prescription sleep drugs have side effects, and Ambien has been notorious for causing driving while asleep.

I personally know a nurse who drove several times in the middle of the night to grocery shop. Just as if she were drunk, she has no recollection of these episodes. I had my own Ambien experience. While Ambien let me sleep, I awoke one morning with double vision. In a panic, I rushed to the ER where my doctor told me that he had seen many such episodes with Ambien due to its hypnotic properties. After my ER visit, I realized that I had begun sleepwalking due to  the Ambien. Was driving next? I don't know, and didn't want to find out. Needless to say, I've given up Ambien. While I still haven't cured my insomnia with alternative measures, I do enjoy my lavender-infused sheets and sound machine.