What Is Insomnia

By Christine Hasinger,  L.Ac., DOM

Sleep Problems. . . If you are tossing and turning all night long, no matter how hard you try to doze off, you’ll definitely wind up  grumpy, foggy and unfocused the following morning.  Poor slumber leads to mood swings, fatigue and even a diminished attention span.  You may feel tired even as you wake up in the morning and have trouble concentrating on tasks.  If you have a hard time getting some sleep no matter what you do, then you may have a sleeping disorder called insomnia. . .

Thirty percent of your life is spent in bed.  This is such a regular part of our being that we tend to take it for granted.  We only realize its value when we’re already suffering from insomnia.

Good sleeping habits are important because they enable your brain and body to function normally. You generally require sleep at night and during the mid-day if you are very young, old or ill.

Every one of us requires a different length of slumber to continue their normal functions the next day.  However, most people require at least seven hours every night.  Some of us only get four hours and still feel great while others may need up to ten hours of sleep per night.

Your body automatically recognizes the time to snooze because it considers lesser amounts of light as a signal to the brain to produce melatonin, a chemical that causes sleepiness.    During this time, the three major chemicals that keep you alert, including serotonin are automatically deactivated.  Haven’t you noticed that you get drowsy earlier during the winter months when it’s dark by dinner time.

Insomnia is generally known as a sleeping disorder but it can be grouped into three types.  Mild insomnia is a sleep disorder that lasts for a few days only and does not result in any defect in a person‘s regular functions.  The mild form of insomnia may be normal and not debilitating.  However, longer periods of insomnia can have serious effects on a your physical and psychological make up.

When should you ask for help for if you have insomnia?

Insomnia tends to result in poor concentration, focus and can make you more prone to accidents.   This disorder can lead to a poor social life and failed relationships because insomniacs are easily stressed out, generally depressed and have little patience.  Sleep disorders may be related to heart illnesses and severe headaches during the day.

Moderate insomnia may just be a result of too much thinking or pressure in your work or personal life.  However, when your insomnia attacks become more frequent and lengthier affecting your life to where you are depressed and irritable then perhaps it is time to seek help from a professional.

Chronic insomnia can last for months and can severely affect a person’s normal functions.  Most insomniacs do not seek the advice of specialists even if they have already lost some weight and are losing control of their lives because they think it is normal phase.  However, insomnia is different from sleep deficiency, a condition where a person can get some sleep but feels he does not get enough of it.

Sleeplessness is a common occurrence with almost thirty percent of adults experiencing this every year.  However, only five percent get medical advice.  This is a sad fact considering that four out of ten people who have insomnia are also prone to psychiatric disorders.  Another glaring fact is that seven out of ten depressed people suffer from this disorder as well.

Research shows that while insomnia is generally caused by stressors and anxiety, it may also be caused by increasing use of cocaine, alcohol and sedatives, as well as physical deformities or pain.    Normal problems like unemployment, relationship problems, and other daily activities are also said to contribute to sleep problems.

If you are someone that tosses and turns all night, has trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep or just wakes up too early and doesn’t feel rested then perhaps you have insomnia.  For the mild to moderate insomniac there are many self-help manuals and products available.  If you think you have a sleep problem beyond the occasional night of poor slumber, you should also seek the advice of a health professional.

About the author: Christine Hasinger is an acupuncturist in Palm Harbor, Florida.  Many of her insomniac clients find relief from sleeping problems with  herbal medicines and acupuncture.  Find out more at the Blue Orchid Healing Center or Herb Consults.