The Effects of Insomnia Condition - Term Paper Example

Insomnia" Insomnia is a condition and not a disease. Under this condition a person has inconvenience in commencing and sustaining sleep or experience a meager eminence of sleep. Insomnia is a condition which is not quantitative. Insomnia is the situation where one experience and execute more wakeful and restless nights. Under severe conditions medical advice is recommended as around 30- 50% of the population is affected. Most of the individuals could not notice that they are suffering from insomnia. The present article deals with the effects of insomnia, the group of individuals affected and when does insomnia affects people. Introduction Insomnia is a state that affects numerous individuals, most of them are not even aware of the condition they are suffering from insomnia or sleeplessness. Sleep deprivation causes rigorous exhaustion, nervousness, hopelessness and poor attentiveness. Insomnia is grave, though not fatal. Scarcity and lack of sleep leads to a lonesome and awful state of mind. If the condition continues a person may tend to develop compromised living condition or disturbed psychological behaviour. The condition is become severe and taking a shape of an epidemic in United States. The data obtained from National Sleep Foundation portrays that around 47 million American adults are at potential risk of physical and emotional disturbance due to lack of sleep. The results are alarming as per the data procured by National Institutes of Health approximated that 50 to 70 million Americans belonging to all ages experience restless sleep (Morin, 2000). Thus, insomnia is defined as the situation that provoke several sleep related disorders and if condition persists then it may culminate into medical emergency or psychiatric disturbance. Insomnia is characteristically persuaded by practical impairment while wakeful. Under the condition of insomnia a person feels distressed and finds difficult to instigate and continue sleep or non recuperative sleep connected with impairment of daytime performance or manifest anguish for more than a month (Morin, 2000). Insomnia is categorized as 1. Transient insomnia: It stays only for a short duration probably for a week. It may be associated with change of place, ill-health, worry, anxiety, depression or a condition of stress. As soon as the circumstances become normal sleep deprivation vanishes (Thomas, 2004). 2. Acute insomnia: It is sleeplessness for a period around a month or less. 3. Chronic insomnia: It is sleeplessness lasting for more than a month. It could be due to some other disorders encompassing muscular distress, phantasms, mental stress, and thereby enhanced alertness is displayed (Thomas, 2004). Around 10% of the population suffering from insomnia have chronic insomnia. The percentage of women (40%) is more as compared to men (30%). It is therefore suggested that as soon as one understands the symptoms then immediate care must be taken (National Sleep Foundation, 2009). Symptoms of Insomnia encompass: 1. Obscurity in falling asleep 2. Get up up repeatedly in night followed by problem in returning to sleep. 3. Awakening up too untimely in the morning. 4. Devoid of refreshing sleep. 5. Medical preconditions, accident, trauma or mental stress. 6. Physical stress associated with mental stress/ trauma resulting in the inability to sleep. 7. Depression and mental illness. (Psych Central, 2010; Morin, 2000). Causes of Insomnia and individuals most afflicted to insomnia: Insomnia may or may not be related to any medical condition it could be due to the stress or any other condition of shock or anxiety. Some of the conditions reported to be associated with insomnia are: 1. Sleep Apnoea: It is the condition where the breathing of sleeping person is broken up thereby normal sleeping cycle is disturbed. This may be due to loss of muscle tone or partial crumpling in respiratory tract. Individuals suffering from this disorder often tend to forget what happened at night but do nag about sleepiness in day. 2. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) & Periodic Limb Movement (PLM): encompasses symptoms in legs associated with irritation and slithering sensation. In order to overcome these sensation the person tosses and rolls on the bed causing restlessness or sleep deprivation. 3. Jet Lag: Individuals who travel from one place to another with varying time zones on a usual basis do witness such a problem. The reason for this comprise the biological clock does not match with the sun rise and sun set. It is also observed in individuals who work constantly in night shifts. 4. Parasomnia: It is due to some kind of traumatic stress or due to upsetting sleep proceedings including nightmares, sleepwalking, aggressive behaviour when in sleep, REM behaviour disorder and where an individuals body responds to the happenings in the dream. 5. Gastro-oesophageal Reflex: Causes constant sleepless nights due to acidity. The condition is due to high level of stress or some kind of depression. 6. Conditional/ professional hazard: Explorers, shift workers, older or elderly group, youngster or young students who study during night or those who are preparing for exams, individuals under severe condition of pain, sufferers of cardio-pulmonary diseases, a pregnant female or a female during her menopause. 7. Medical condition: In some case individuals taking preparations for a particular medical condition like asthma or medicine to combat cold, or those which are taken for elevated blood pressure. Individuals suffering from bipolar diseases, hyper-thyroidism or depression. In some cases, the condition of insomnia is due to side-effects of some medicines or some allergens or compromised sleep hygiene 8. Stimulants: Individuals taking excessive of stimulants encompassing nicotine, caffeine or tea are also observed to be the sufferers of sleeplessness or insomnia. It is therefore advised that such individuals are required not only to avoid the intake of any such stimulant before bed-time but also they are required to reduce their daily consumption of such stimulants. 9. Alcohol: Some individuals drink alcohol to induce sleep. Conversely, alcohol consumption not only disrupts sleep but also spoils the morning through the sense of non-refreshed sleep. 10. Environmental factors: Some individuals are very sensitive to noise, light or compromised sleeping environment and therefore when they change their house or if they have to make a move in a crowded location they tend to depict the condition of insomnia. 11. Human nature: Stress in the work place is emerging as a major cause of insomnia. Perfectionist usually portray the condition of insomnia. Moreover in the recession, fear of losing a job during scrutiny, relationship issues are also responsible for insomnia. 12. Competitive environment: The present era is witnessing high throughput of competition and therefore in order to prove self worth individuals put their efforts by not letting a leaf unturned and this becomes the cause of worry and hence insomnia. 13. Individuals habits: Some individuals anticipate that they are the sufferers of insomnia and they keep worrying about such conditions. Smoking cigarettes before bedtime, or if an individual had a nap in the afternoon or evening. 14. Disrupted sleep: When a child is born the mother usually is restless as there is a constant disruption of nap/ awaken programme. 15. Sleeping pills: To induce sleep individuals become dependent on sleeping pills. Prolonged use of such medicines is not recommended as a result withdrawal of medicines results in insomnia in such individuals. It is therefore recommended to have a tapered withdrawal. 16. Withdrawal of medicine or alcohol or cigarette could also be the cause of sleeplessness. 17. Unrestrained physical symptoms like aches, fever, breathing troubles due to nalsal congestion or severe cough or acute diarrhoea may sometimes be the reason for insomnia. (Psych Central, 2010; Morin, 2000) 18. Abusive drug users may suffer from insomnia, either during the course of drug or during withdrawal. 19. Exercise at bed time is one of the major cause of insomnia as exercise serve as arousal and delay sleep. Various physiological conditions are also responsible for restless or sleepless nights. These encompass: 1. Continual ache syndrome. 2. Congestive heart collapse. 3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Syndrome (COPD). 4. Degenerative ailments e.g. Alzheimer disease, Parkinsons disease. 5. Brain tumour, stroke or any kind of distress to brain (Psych Central, 2010; Morin, 2000). Outcomes of Insomnia: Lack of concentration Intricacy with memory Damaged motor synchronization Irritability and messed up social interaction Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers (Insomnia). Treatment of Insomnia (Morin, 2000): Improved sleeping habits Removing misapprehensions about sleeping Controlling the sleeping environment either by means of temperature control as per the requirement of the individual and also as per the weather conditions so as to induce good sleep and evade insomnia Activities management by means of changing habits like intake of beverages or alcohol, cigarette smoking and dinner timings so as to provide sufficient time for the GIT to settle the food. In case of acidity condition, a person is required to have acid suppressant so that nullify the acid production. Short term insomnia need no medication e.g. jet lag induced or stress induced insomnia and is treated over the period of time. Treatment of the primary ailment also cures insomnia as soon as the primary condition which has induced insomnia has been resolved. Behaviour therapy, psychotherapy could also resolve the condition of insomnia. Relaxation therapy, happy thoughts could also resolve insomnia Feeling of contentment and fulfilment may also resolve insomnia Meditation, filling oneself with positive thought, self-confidence could aid in resolving insomnia to a greater extent. Regular bed time should be maintained to avoid insomnia (Morin, 2000). Medications: Nonbenzodiazepine sedatives Melatonin secreted by pineal gland to regulate sleep cycle Ramelteon to stimulate melatonin receptors and promotes sleep (Morin, 2000). Prevention: Regular exercise must be performed Yoga activities are now-a-days emerging as the best remedy to overcome stress and enhance concentration. Meditation provides peace to the mind and also a sense of fulfilment thereby allowing one to have a relaxed and contended mind. Mental peace inducing activities and sharing happy moments with the family at night to evade all the worries of whole day and future. Heavy meals at the bedtime must be avoided (Morin, 2000). Temperature control of the room is essential. If sound/ noise is a disturbing factor one must try to remove the noise and if it is impossible then counteract with soothing sound. Night prayers must be performed so as to get good sleep. Relaxation therapy must be adopted. Reconditioning- Recondition the habit and use bed only for sleep and not for any other purpose. This enables the individual to go to bed only when the person is sleepy. When individual does not want to sleep then he/ she should not lay on bed unless feeling sleepy. Moreover, a person must go to bed at the same time every day this enables the biological clock to set accordingly (Health Scout Network). Sleeping pills must be avoided as far as possible as it becomes difficult to overcome addiction of these pills. Planning things for the future with lots of enthusiasm and to let the mind be filled with all the happy thoughts. Avoid doing office work before going to bed as this induces tension. Plan the work schedule so that one need not to take any tension of professional life before sleep to avoid insomnia (Family Doctor. org). Keep the family atmosphere light and avoid arguments with the partner over small issues. One must believe in the policy of "FF" i.e. "Forgive and Forget". While in bed perform prayers, thanking God for everything He has given, and asking Him to forgive those who created trouble in the daytime, at the same time one must forgive all the enemies and what they said to avoid any rage or aggression. Let all the positive feelings pour in mind and one has to be very calm while sleeping. Play light music at the background with very low volume and enjoy the moment with closed eyes, this enables one to feel blissful and in high spirits. Conclusion Insomnia is a marker of depression. Individuals display the symptoms of insomnia during the disturbed mental state. Depression and anxiety are the conditions that are closely associated with insomnia. Individuals with irrational fear, apprehensions, fascinations, or coercions are frequently arouse from their sleep by their uncertainties and fears, occasionally by nightmares and beliefs of unhappiness, difference, and culpability. All these are the cause of depression in humans. It is observed that many depressed individuals grumble of insomnia without distinguishing that they are really disheartened. One must understand that if an individual is not taking any interest in the activities once inviting happiness, on the other hand an individual has frequent thoughts of suicide and feel hopeless often is a sufferer of depression. Depression in everyday life may be medical oriented or professional or personal leads to silent insomnia. The present article highlights various reasons that could be the possible grounds for the onset of insomnia. One must understand the reasons and try to eliminate those from the normal routine to combat insomnia. On the other hand, the article also provides the possible methods to elude insomnia at an early stage. It is essential to understand the symptoms at early stage and if one needs medical advice then there should not be any delay in procuring it. Personal worries can always be resolved through mutual understanding, whereas medical conditions are temporary, in case of long lasting medical condition psychotherapy is the best solution. One must perform meditation to concentrate on positive things and eliminate negative thoughts and worries. These methods along with behaviour modification and altered habits, hygiene and relaxation exercise may serve as a boon to combat insomnia. One must think that worries are part and parcel of life and one is capable enough to overcome such a situation, feeling oneself with such positive thoughts enhance confidence and thereby removes depression and negative feelings to overcome insomnia. References Family Doctor. org. Insomnia. Available at http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/110.html [Accessed on 5th December 2010] Health Scout Network. (2009). Insomnia. Available at http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/245/main.html. [Accessed on 6th December 2010]. Insomnia. Available at http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insomnia/article_em.htm. [Accessed on 6th December 2010]. Morin, Charles M. (2000). The Nature of Insomnia and the Need to Refine Our Diagnostic Criteria (Editorial). Psychosomatic Medicine 62 (4): 62:483–485. National Sleep Foundation. (2009). Drowsy driving. Available at http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/drowsy-driving. [Accessed on 5th December 2010] Psych Central. (2010). Insomnia, primary. Available at http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx86.htm. [Accessed on 5th December 2010] Thomas, R., Roehrs, T. (2004). Insomnia: Epidemiology, characteristics, and consequences. Clinical Cornerstone 5 (3): 5–15. Read More