Is It a Few Bad Nights or Insomnia?

Is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep at night? Maybe thoughts of work, family, or finances keep you up when you should be catching ZZZs. Or a physical problem, like an illness or medication, could be the reason.

If you struggle to get enough sleep, you aren’t alone. Studies show nearly 30% of adults in the United States have some form of insomnia.

But how do you know if your sleep issues are a short-term concern or a persistent problem?

Is It Chronic or Temporary?

Chronic insomnia means you have symptoms at least three times a week for at least 3 months. This type of disorder is a constant difficulty that disrupts your daily life.

You might have insomnia if you:

  • Can’t fall asleep
  • Wake up frequently in the middle of the night
  • Can’t go back to sleep
  • Notice daytime fatigue, mood changes, or problems with concentration and memory

If your sleep issues last less than 3 months, you may have short-term insomnia.

For many people with short-term sleep disorders, symptoms gradually get better.

Sometimes, these temporary episodes are due to stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or job loss. An illness or change in routine are other possible causes. Symptoms will usually improve once the issue resolves, but short-term insomnia can occasionally develop into a more lasting condition.Both adults and children can have short-term and chronic insomnia. The conditions are more common in women than in men.

Possible Causes

Some common causes of sleep troubles include:

  • Stress: Traumatic or stressful events can keep your brain active at night and make it difficult to fall asleep.
  • A change in schedule: Your symptoms might be worse when you travel or change your normal sleep routine.
  • Medications: Certain medicines, like antidepressants and blood pressure drugs, may disrupt sleep.
  • Mental health disorders: People with anxiety or depression are more likely to suffer insomnia.
  • Other health conditions: Many other medical conditions are linked to insomnia, including diabetes, cancer, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Also, sleep-related disorders, like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome (RLS), can keep you up at night.
  • Alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine: These substances could be to blame for a bad night’s sleep.
  • Nighttime snacking: If you eat a heavy meal right before bed, you may have trouble falling asleep.
  • Bad sleep habits: Use of computers, smartphones, or other devices before bed may disrupt your sleep cycle. Also, a poor nighttime schedule or an unpleasant sleep environment could lead to sleep difficulties.

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