Insomnia & Sleep

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it very difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia can be acute or chronic. Acute insomnia means that it lasts for about a week or less. Chronic insomnia means that disordered sleeping lasts for a month or more. Insomnia might be the main issue, or it might be a symptom of something else. For example, someone who is battling depression may have a side effect of insomnia, and someone battling insomnia could have a side effect of depression. You should see your doctor if your sleep disorder is preventing you from functioning and completing simple tasks.

What are the negative effects of not sleeping?

Not sleeping affects something that we need to function-energy. Without energy, we can't complete everyday tasks like getting up or brushing our teeth. Not sleeping causes mood swings, memory issues, concentration issues, poor balance, irritability, and more. The fact is, we need to sleep, as it is one of the integral parts of acquiring energy other than eating. Without sleeping, we risk a multitude of health issues. Not getting enough sleep raises blood pressure, which increases the chances of a heart attack or stroke.

How to battle insomnia

Insomnia could be caused by stress, work, and poor sleeping habits. Stresses and trauma can keep your mind awake at night, which makes it difficult to fall asleep. Working late into the night, or disrupting your sleeping patterns can also make it difficult to sleep. Sometimes, insomnia is caused by a change in our daily habits. In this case, it is best to figure out what is affecting or causing your insomnia so you can be able to get enough sleep. Insomnia can also be a side effect of another underlying issue. If you feel as if there may be something else causing your insomnia, it would be best to schedule an appointment with your doctor to see if there's anything to be done.