Insomnia is defined as habitual sleeplessness or the inability to sleep. And for those who suffer from it, it can cause other serious health issues. According to the National Sleep Foundation, insomnia can be caused by psychiatric as well as medical conditions, biological factors, certain medications or simply unhealthy sleep habits. But could a fear of the dark be another cause? A Canadian study thinks so. Read on to learn more about the causes and treatments for insomnia. And for the best insomnia treatment in New York, you will want to contact Sleep MD NYC.
Causes of Insomnia
Medical causes of insomnia include sinus problems, gastrointestinal issues, arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, back pain and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Certain medications used to treat these medical issues can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
For medically unknown reasons, chronic insomnia impacts women more than men and people over the age of 65 in general. According to a report by National Public Radio, approximately 60 million Americans are impacted by insomnia each year. Some additional interesting facts: roughly 35% of people suffering from insomnia have a family history and 90% of people suffering from depression also fight insomnia. And approximately 10 million Americans rely on prescription sleep aids to help them get the sleep they need. If you suffer from insomnia, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what might be causing it and what your treatment options are. If you suffer from insomnia in New York, contact Sleep MD NYC to get the help you need.
Fear of the Dark?
Believe it or not, in a 2012 Canadian study found that people who suffered from poor sleep had a fear of the dark. In just a small study of 93 college age men and women, participants admitted to being afraid of the dark during sleep lab experiments.
Study participants were assigned to either a good or poor sleeping group. Of the 42 people labeled poor sleepers, about half of them admitted to being afraid of the dark. Of those considered to be good sleepers, only about a quarter of them said they were afraid of the dark. Both sets of poor and good sleepers were exposed to loud burst of white noise four separate times. According to research observers, the poor sleepers had a much stronger and more nervous reaction to the noise. Researchers concluded that poor sleepers had more of a reaction to the noise when the lights were off due to their fear of the dark.
Experts following the study said the results make sense in that people with insomnia might suffer from fears and concerns they are not even consciously aware of. Understanding what is going on in the mind of an insomniac can be a critical component in forming a treatment plan. For those with a fear of the dark, addressing and treating that fear first seems to be a key factor in then addressing the insomnia that could be a result.
Sleep Disorder Treatment in New York
If you struggle with falling or staying asleep, or find yourself waking up frequently in the night, you might suffer from a more serious sleep disorder. If you think you might have a more serious sleep issue, you are just looking for help in establishing a more natural sleep pattern, or even dealing with insomnia in New York, contact the doctors at Sleep MD NYC for a consultation. Don’t let poor sleep habits or a more serious health issue keep you from getting the rest you need.
