Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Treat It
Insomnia is defined as a condition in which a person has difficulty falling asleep at night. This condition generally affects adults, causing new problems in their lives. Ranging from disrupting their quality of life and overall health to creating a bad mood and declining daily performance.
Based on its duration, there is acute and chronic insomnia, while based on its cause, this sleep disorder is divided into primary and secondary.
If this problem is not addressed immediately, insomnia can lead to more complex issues. For more details, read the following.
What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, even though you have plenty of time and a conducive bedroom environment for a good night's sleep.[1] Its causes vary, ranging from physical to psychological problems.
People with this sleep disorder do not have a good sleep schedule. Their body's need for rest is also poorly met. As a result, it impacts their daily performance, preventing them from performing optimally.
If this condition is left untreated, the body will suffer from prolonged sleep deprivation, endangering quality of life and health, such as an increased risk of heart disease.[1]
Symptoms of Insomnia

Anyone, whether male, female, young, or old, can suffer from difficulty sleeping. The main symptoms of this disorder are difficulty feeling sleepy and falling asleep. However, there are also other accompanying symptoms.
- Waking up easily at night and having difficulty falling back asleep.
- Easily fatigued, both physically and mentally.
- Difficulty concentrating, causing activities to not go well.
- Difficulty napping even when tired.
Causes of Insomnia

As previously mentioned, the causes of insomnia depend on its type (duration and underlying reason).
A person may suffer from acute insomnia due to
- stress,
- traumatic events,
- changes in sleep schedule, such as moving to a new home in a different city with a different time zone,
- fatigue, as well as
- the side effects of medications that keep them awake.
On the other hand, chronic insomnia can be caused by
- chronic pain from certain diseases, such as arthritis;
- psychological problems such as depression or drug use;
- other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea; as well as
- medical conditions (GERD, cancer, and others).
In chronic insomnia, sufferers may experience difficulty sleeping for three months. The condition can be primary or secondary. To date, there is no detailed explanation regarding primary insomnia. However, in secondary insomnia, a person may suffer from it due to medical factors, such as mental health problems, substance use, or diabetes.
In addition, there are risk factors that increase a person's likelihood of developing insomnia.
These risk factors include:
- Having psychological problems.
- Working shift work.
- Gender. For women, menstrual hormones and menopause can affect their sleep cycle.
- Age.
- Prolonged travel.
- Certain medical conditions.
Preventing Insomnia

Insomnia can be triggered by many things. However, you can minimize the risk of developing it and improve your sleep quality by taking the following steps.
- Create a sleep schedule with regular times. By maintaining a regular sleep schedule, this habit will naturally train your body to fall asleep at those times.
- Then, create a relaxing bedtime routine. For example, take a warm bath to relax your body, making it easier to deep sleep or engage in other activities.
- Before bedtime, avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol, as their contents can affect your sleep patterns.
- Create a calm bedroom environment. This will make you feel comfortable and content in your room. Feeling comfortable can help you relax and eventually fall asleep.
- Avoid using electronic devices before bedtime, as their blue light can disrupt melatonin production.
- Finally, you can manage stress by exercising regularly or engaging in other enjoyable activities. For example, listen to music to improve your mood.
Treating Insomnia

The treatment of insomnia is greatly influenced by the reason a person has this disorder and the patient's overall medical condition.
Initially, the doctor will diagnose the person by asking about their sleep habits and medical history. Based on the information the patient provides, the doctor can diagnose their insomnia. Then, the doctor will instruct the patient to keep a sleep diary for a week or more to determine their sleep duration, sleep quality, and lifestyle choices that cause sleep problems.
In addition, the doctor may use the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to determine the severity of the patient's insomnia. Then, the doctor will try to address the underlying cause of the insomnia with appropriate treatment.
Treatment may involve therapy or medications such as sleep aids. However, sleep aids are not permitted for long-term use. Therefore, you need to find a safer alternative.
For those looking for a sleep aid alternative, Sido Muncul Herbal Protessa is available as a safe natural herbal solution for insomnia.
By understanding the definition, causes, prevention methods, and appropriate treatment methods, you can find ways to improve the quality of rest disrupted by insomnia. If you feel your sleep disorder is worsening, consult a doctor immediately for more effective follow-up treatment.
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