The Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is defined by the National Institute of Health as, "the perception or complaint of inadequate sleep". There are three types or classifications of insomnia; transient insomnia, intermittent insomnia and chronic insomnia. Transient insomnia is described as insomnia which is suffered one day to a month. Intermittent insomnia is described as occasional bouts of insomnia.

Most people have experienced transient insomnia, while more people have also experienced intermittent insomnia. Chronic insomnia can affect up to 10% of the population. The most affected group of people of chronic insomnia is women, with elderly women and pregnant women being the most affected. There are many causes of insomnia, some causes being external, such as stress, anxiety, sleeping arrangements, environment, outside noise, etc. Other causes of insomnia are internal, such as depression, medical conditions, sleep apnea, etc. All of the causes of insomnia are worth examining in order to find which one is most appropriate to diagnose for any particular sufferer.

There are some lifestyle choices which are major causes of insomnia. The substances we ingest into our bodies, whether they are food, chemicals, or other substances, can have an affect on our ability to sleep. Alcohol, decongestants, caffeine, bronchodilators (for asthma), nicotine, and anti depressants, etc. can all contribute to the causes of insomnia. Environmental factors such as external and excessive noise, extreme high and low temperatures, sleeping arrangements, and insects like mosquitoes and bed bugs can all contribute to a bad night's sleep and cases of insomnia.