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7 Common Causes of Insomnia

Everyone has trouble falling asleep now and then. There are thousands of people who, each day, chalk up their poor night’s sleep to insomnia. What are some of the common causes of insomnia, and are that many people really suffering from it?causes of insomnia woman

Insomnia is more than just having difficulties falling asleep every now and then. Chronic Insomnia is described at having your sleep disturbed three or more nights a week for three or more months.

While not dangerous in and of itself, insomnia has been linked to many issues. These including anxiety, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, headache, heart attack and even osteoporosis.

7 Most Common Causes of Insomnia

Chronic Pain
Pain can make it nearly impossible to sleep. After all, it can be hard to drift off when you’re nasty acid reflux rears its head. While it may not affect your ability to drift off to sleep, it can affect your ability to remain asleep. Depending on your pain threshold, and the exact nature of your pain, you may need to seek help from your doctor to help manage it.

Medications
Most people are aware that there are medications, both prescription and over the counter, that make you drowsy. When this is the case, there are numerous warnings about the effect the medication will have. What most people don’t know, though, is that medication can have the opposite effect too. If you think your meds might be causing the insomnia, you should speak to your doctor right away.

Depression and Anxiety
Depression can affect your sleep pattern in two different ways. Some people find it nearly impossible to fall asleep, while others do nothing but stay in bed and sleep. If worries or anxiety are the cause of your sleeplessness, speaking to a doctor about your issues may help.

Eating and Drinking Habits
Most experts recommend cutting your caffeine intake off 6 hours before you go to bed. You could be eating, and drinking, caffeine and not even know it, though. You can find caffeine in the most surprising places. Did you know that chocolate, some medications, and even decaf coffee contain enough caffeine to make it difficult to drop off? Drinking alcohol might make it seem easier to drift off, but it can cause you to wake up later on in the night.

Eating a large meal before bed can also make it hard to fall asleep. Eating too much before bed can make it difficult for your digestive track, and can even lead to heartburn.

Allergies
If you find yourself plagued by allergies in the day time, it’s safe to say that you’ll have an issue with them during the night. The easiest way to solve any allergy related insomnia is to stick to a sleep schedule and to practice allergy alleviation methods. Showing before going to bed can be extremely helpful, as can washing your bedding often.

Neurological Diseases
Patients suffering from strokes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s often suffer from insomnia as well. It can be from damage to the brain caused by the disease, or even from the medications used to help treat them.

Sleep Disorders
Yes, insomnia is a sleep disorder in and of itself, but it can be caused by an underlying sleep disorder. Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is a sleep disorder that often causes insomnia. The need to constantly move your legs to alleviate the painful tingling can make it difficult to not only fall asleep but to stay asleep as well.

Insomnia doesn’t have to rule your life, though. Apnix Sleep Diagnostics has 8 Greater Houston Area locations that can help you get to the bottom of your insomnia, and help you treat it too.

Bay Area/Clear Lake – Sleep Specialist Bay Area/Clear Lake

475 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, Texas 77058

Baytown/East Houston – Sleep Specialist Baytown/East Houston

2802 Garth Rd, Suite 205
Houston, Texas 77521

Bellaire/Medical Center – Sleep Specialist Bellaire/Medical Center

4003-B Bellaire Blvd
Houston, Texas 77025

Katy/West Houston – Sleep Specialist Katy/West Houston

21703 Kingsland Blvd, Suite 101
Katy, Texas 77450

Memorial/Voss – Sleep Specialist Memorial/Voss

7500 San Felipe, Suite 550
Houston, Texas 77063

Red Oak/North Houston – Sleep Specialist Red Oak/North Houston

17115 Red Oak Dr, Suite 212
Houston, Texas 77090

Sugar Land/Stafford – Sleep Specialist Sugar Land/Stafford

136 Eldridge Rd, Suite G
Sugar Land, Texas 77479

Home Office

Bellaire/Medical Center – Sleep Specialist Bellaire/Medical Center

4003-B Bellaire Blvd
Houston, Texas 77025

Phone: (713) 349-9767

Fax: (713) 349-9634