subject: Insomnia: Causes and Types [print this page] Insomnia: Causes and Types Insomnia: Causes and Types
Sleeping is a natural state that happens every night. It is a state where a person lacks consciousness and nearly all of his or her voluntary muscles are inactive. Although people commonly take sleeping for granted, it is very important to every person. It helps people in so many different ways.
Nevertheless, there are many problems that can greatly affect the quantity and quality of a person's sleep and among such is insomnia. Also known as wakefulness, insomnia is a type of sleep problem under dysomnia, which is often characterized as the inability to stay and fall asleep.
Wakefulness is commonly classified in three different types. Transient insomnia, the first type of wakefulness, is known to last for less than a week. Acute insomnia is another type of wakefulness which last less than a month. The third type of wakefulness is known as chronic insomnia, which can last more than a month.
Wakefulness may be caused by either mental or physical factors. Certain psychological problems like depression, bipolar disorder, chronic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders can cause insomnia.
Sometimes, wakefulness is caused by psychoactive drugs and stimulants. There are certain cold and flu medications that contain alcohol, which is among the common factors that can cause insomnia while some pain relievers that contain caffeine. Both medications that contain caffeine and alcohol, when taken excessively, can cause insomnia.
In addition, diuretics, corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, antidepressants, high blood pressure medications and flouroquinolone antibiotic drugs, are
also known to cause insomnia.
Insomnia may also be caused by various medical conditions. Asthma, hyperthyroidism, cancer, kidney disease, allergies and Parkinson's disease are among the most common problems that are known to cause wakefulness. Aside from this, other sleep problems like narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea may also cause insomnia.
Fortunately, there are so many possible ways to get rid of insomnia and one such way is meditation, which is a relaxation technique that has been around for so many years. Today, most people practice this technique while listening to soothing music such as the ones from Holosync meditation CD, which you can get for free if you visit www.meditate.com.au or www.meditation-music.com.au.
