If you find yourself waking up frequently during the night, have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you might suffer from insomnia. 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.
To learn more about the best insomnia treatment in New York, contact Dr. Shukla and 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 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.
Other Reasons You Aren’t Sleeping
There could be a variety of reasons you aren’t sleeping well and most of them can be treated easily once you know what you are dealing with. For example, you might be suffering from sleep apnea where you wake up frequently due to a lack of oxygen.
A poor diet and lack of exercise are also reasons why you might not be sleeping all that well. Do you eat spicy food that gives you heartburn before you go to bed? Do you consume caffeine late in the day? Both things can keep you awake. Getting regular exercise can also improve your chances of great sleep.
Chronic pain from arthritis or some other condition can impact the quality of your sleep and if you are taking medications, the side effects they cause could also be having a negative impact on your sleep. Depression and stress can also cause issues with sleep. Check in with Dr. Shukla if you think you are suffering from depression and try to have some down time before bed to help combat the stresses of the day.
It’s possible that you have simply developed poor sleep habits over your lifetime. Do you stay up too late or watch television before bed? Try a relaxing activity like reading and put the screen away.
Dealing with Sleep Issues
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 Dr. Shukla at Sleep MD NYC for a consultation.
