Women and Older People Are More Prone to Insomnia.
Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men. Often, the loss of sleep is related to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. The prevalence of insomnia is also higher among older people; in general, aging is linked to an increased likelihood for insomnia.Causes of Insomnia
1. Stress.Approximately half of all insomnia cases are stress-induced. When stress is the cause, how much of the sleep is disturbed depends on the severity and duration of the stressor. Life stressors can range from tragic occurrences such as bereavement, upsetting experiences e.g. divorces to anticipation of exciting events like impending wedding or vacation.
2. Circadian Rhythm Problem.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are responsible for one fourth of all chronic sleep disorders. This happens when there is a timing mismatch between your biological clock and the external 24-hour schedule, i.e. disorder of the sleep/wake cycle. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders usually have an enviromental cause, such as jet lag, rotating shift work and other major schedule changes, though some individuals simply have natural circadian rhythm problems.
3. Poor Sleep Environment.
Other environmental factors e.g. noise, light, temperature or a snoring sleep partner may also interrupt sleep.
4. Medications.
Some medications can lead to insomnia, including those taken for:
- colds
- birth control
- asthma
- high blood pressure
- thyroid disease
- pain medications
- depression (especially SSRI antidepressants)
