Close Menu
  • Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis

Write For Us

What's Hot

How Big Are Kidney Stones? Size Chart

February 3, 2021

What Do Words Look Like to a Dyslexic Person?

February 3, 2021
Gallstones without a gallbladder image

Can you Get Gallstones without a Gallbladder?

July 12, 2022
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
  • Write For Us
  • Marketing Opportunities
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
  • Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
Home » Brain and Neurological Conditions » Insomnia » What are the Causes of Insomnia?

What are the Causes of Insomnia?

Neha MittalBy Neha MittalUpdated:April 18, 20215 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
what are the causes of insomnia

What causes insomnia?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder. Most of us are aware of how it feels to have been without sleep.

Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be caused due to some other medical conditions or substance use such as alcohol.

Sometimes, insomnia can be caused by psychiatric or medical conditions. Poor sleeping habits, use of certain substances, and certain biological factors may also contribute to the development of insomnia.

Recently, scientists have started considering it as a problem of your brain. Brain is unable to stop you being awake. Scientists say that your brain has a sleep cycle and a wake cycle. When the sleep cycle is turned on, wake cycle is turned off, and vice versa. They say that insomnia can be causes due to disturbances in either of these cycles.

Common Insomnia Causes

Stress and Anxiety

Worries and concerns about your school, finances, health, or about your family can cause you stress. Stress can keep your mind active and awake at night leading to lack of sleep and difficulty in staying asleep.

Certain life events such as the loss of a loved one, major trauma, loss of job, divorce, and the like may put you at stress. This can also make it difficult to sleep.

Some people may develop sleep problems due to problems at work. Having general worries about daily and routine activities also make your sleep patterns worse.

All these stress and anxiety causing things can cause your mind to race while you are in bed. This makes sleep difficult and of poor quality.

Travel / Disruptions in circadian rhythm

Jet lag, changes in job shifts, working late in office, being on high altitudes such as on mountains, extreme heat or cold are examples when your circadian rhythm can be disrupted.

Your circadian rhythm acts as an internal clock that guides about things such as your sleep cycle, wake cycle, metabolism and body temperature. If your body’s circadian rhythms are disturbed, it can lead to insomnia.

Eating too much in the evening

If you eat a lot in the night or evening, it can make you feel physically uncomfortable. You may experience heartburn, acidity, heaviness, which may keep you away from sleep for a longer time.

Poor sleeping habits

Poor sleeping habits may affect your sleep and cause insomnia. These may include things like:

  • an irregular bedtime schedule
  • involvement in activities that stimulate your brain while going to bed
  • using your bed for work
  • eating just before going to bed
  • presence of devices such as computers, TVs, smart phones
  • daytime naps
  • an uncomfortable sleep environment
  • watching TV before going to bed

Mental health problems

Many mental disorders can affect sleeping patterns of a person. These may include:

  • Mood disorders – such as bipolar disorder and depression can cause awakening too early
  • Anxiety disorders – such as post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
  • Psychotic problems – such as schizophrenia

Other medical conditions

Insomnia can be an unwanted side effect of many medications. These medical conditions may be mild or more serious. In some cases, a medical condition itself causes insomnia. In other cases, symptoms of a particular condition cause discomfort that can make it difficult for you to sleep. Some of them are:

  • depression
  • arthritis
  • high blood pressure
  • parkinson’s or alzheimer’s disease can also cause insomnia
  • nasal/sinus allergies
  • gastrointestinal problems (such as acid reflux)
  • endocrine problems such as hyperthyroidism
  • chronic pain
  • neck pain such as cervical pain
  • low back pain
  • cancer
  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • restless leg syndrome
  • sleep apnea – with sleep apnea, a person’s airway becomes partially or completely obstructed during sleep
  • respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma
  • other sleep disorders – such as snoring, narcolepsy, sleepwalking, night terrors

Medication

Many prescription drugs or over the counter medicines can cause difficulty in falling asleep.

  • common cold and allergy medicines generally contain pseudoephedrine and can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep
  • medicines to treat depression such as use of antidepressants
  • epilepsy medicines
  • medicines for high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers
  • steroids
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • medicines that stimulate the brain such as to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy
  • salbutamol, salmeterol and theophylline that are used to treat asthma
  • certain pain medicines
  • allergy and common cold medicines
  • medicines and products used for weight loss may contain caffeine and other stimulants that may cause difficulty in getting asleep

Alcohol, Caffeine, and Nicotine

  • Drinking too much of alcohol may disrupt sleep. In particular, drinking alcohol before going to bed can affect your sleep. It causes awakening in the middle of the night.
  • Coffee, tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks contain stimulants. Consuming them in evenings can interfere with your sleep
  • Nicotine in tobacco products is another stimulant that can disrupt sleep

Other Factors

  • hormones such as estrogen, hormonal changes during menstruation etc
  • sleeping beside someone who snores
  • overactive mind
  • pregnancy
  • age – as you grow older, the chances of developing sleep problems increase. As you grow, you may experience changes in your health, changes in sleep patterns, and may receive more medications. All these contribute to sleep disruption.

If you experience insomnia symptoms over a long period such as 2-3 weeks, in particular, when you are at risk because of the various conditions discussed above, you should contact a sleep specialist or a general physician. Read about signs and symptoms of insomnia here.

Neha Mittal
  • LinkedIn

Neha Mittal completed graduation in Biotechnology from Graphics Era University, Dehradun and Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University, Noida. In the past, she worked with Sharon Biomedicine Ltd., DUKES Products Ltd., and Forest Research Institute, Dehradun as researcher in biotechnology. Neha loves singing and dancing in leisure time. She also enjoys traveling and maintains a collection of great novels.

Follow-Up Reads

9 Key Benefits of Sleeping on a Beautyrest Mattress

August 23, 2022

How is Insomnia Treated?

April 19, 2021

How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

April 19, 2021

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Best Practices for staying Healthy: Strategies & Tactics
doctor with mask Health and Wellness

Treatment for COPD in the Elderly Explained

By Kapil Sharma5 Mins Read

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and debilitating condition that affects the lungs,…

Lemon Juice Glass

Top 10 Home Remedies to Pass a Kidney Stone in 24 Hours

February 20, 2023
Runny Nose

Spike in H3N2 Influenza Cases in Delhi-NCR

February 16, 2023
Newborn child

Healing From a Stillbirth or Infant Loss: A Guide for Parents

February 14, 2023
Latest Posts
Nursing Education Specializations

Navigating Nursing Education: A Guide To Different Nursing Degrees And Specializations

November 30, 2023
sleep and heart health

Understanding the Connection Between Sleep Disturbances and Heart Health

November 30, 2023
Allergy Immunotherapy

Allergy Immunotherapy: The Key to Long-Term Relief from Allergies

November 30, 2023
Nursing skills development

How can nursing students develop the skills needed to succeed?

November 29, 2023
Best Ultherapy Provider

The Ultimate Guide On Finding The Best Ultherapy Provider

November 29, 2023
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
About Us
About Us

DiseaseFix is primarily known as an online publisher of disease-centric medical information related to human health and well-being. The information is published as disease modules accessible to users from across the world free of cost.

Email Us: contact@diseasefix.com

Useful Links
  • Write For Us (Submit Guest Post)
  • Submit Your Healthcare Organization Profile
  • Submit Press Release
  • Content Guidelines & Healthcare Marketing Opportunities
Tools & Calculators
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Diabetes Risk Calculator
Company
  • Disease Index
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
© 2023 Diseasefix. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.