Insomnia is one of the most common medical complaints, according to the Mayo Clinic. The University of Maryland Medical Center defines insomnia as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at least three times a week. It can interfere with your ability to function, impairs productivity and can negatively impact your quality of life. Since many cases of insomnia stem from other pre-existing problems, determining the reason for insomnia can provide insight on how to most effectively treat the condition and prevent it from occurring again.
Mental Issues
Worrying about work, health, relationships, money problems or other stressful events keeps the mind active and unable to fall asleep. Depression also hinders sleep. The University of Maryland Medical Center says 40 percent to 60 percent of people with insomnia show signs of depression. Those with depression, anxiety or other mental disorders often have chemical imbalances in the brain hindering the body's ability to fall asleep.
Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter medications can produce side effects that interfere with normal sleep patterns. In particular, antidepressants, thyroid medications, diuretics, corticosteroids, heart and blood pressure medications and some pain medications often cause sleep problems, explains helpguide.org. If you suspect your medication is causing insomnia, consider talking to your doctor to see if alternative medication is available.
Alcohol, Nicotine and Caffeine
Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants preventing you from falling asleep. Although alcohol is a sedative and helps you fall asleep, it often prevents you from reaching deep stages of sleep and causes you to awaken more frequently than usual throughout the night, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Medical Conditions
Cancer, diabetes, lung disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, arthritis and many other medical conditions are often associated with insomnia. If you have any of these conditions, you often experience pain, breathing difficulties or other discomforts that interfere with sleep. The University of Maryland Medical Center says between 30 percent to 40 percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes, night sweats, or fluctuations in hormone levels that lead to insomnia.
Lifestyle
You may suffer from insomnia when your sleeping time does not match your internal clock. If you work the night shift you can frequently experience insomnia when trying to sleep during the day. Irregular sleep schedules, frequent travel and an uncomfortable sleep environment also cause insomnia. In addition, engaging in stimulating activities or eating large meals before bed, using the bed for work or hobbies or having a partner who snores makes it difficult to fall asleep.
Learned Insomnia
If you have a history of insomnia, you may find yourself worrying about not being able to sleep. When you try too hard to fall asleep, you are unable to relax and your worries about not being able to fall sleep come true. Getting away from your usual sleep environments and distracting yourself with a book or television may help you relax and fall asleep, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Getting Older
Insomnia gets more frequent with age. As you get older, you're more prone to conditions like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, but you generally become a lighter sleeper as well. You may get tired earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning, which may trigger insomnia. If you are less physically active or take naps, it may be difficult to sleep well at night.
