Do I Have Insomnia? Symptoms and Diagnosis

by Maria Bashi · Dec 20, 2021

Have you heard the name insomnia and have no idea what it means? If yes, then you are at the right place. This article is about everything you should know about this condition.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders where a person lacks sleep or may be unable to stay asleep for the required amount of time. People living with this disorder can stay awake even during typical sleeping hours.

What are some of the common signs and symptoms of the condition?

Most adults sleep for different lengths of time, but the appropriate number is normally between seven to eight hours per night. If you have a sleeping disorder, you are likely to experience the following signs and symptoms;

Waking up early. This may be hours before the time you had anticipated to wake up.
Waking up during the night or having sleepless nights.
Feeling tired and sleepy during the day. This feeling of tiredness does not go away even after taking a nap.
Struggling to maintain attention or having difficulty remembering and focusing on given tasks.
Finding it difficult to fall asleep. With the disorder, it may take hours before you fall asleep.
The feeling of being depressed and anxious over something. Lack of sleep keeps you stressed out at all times.
After a night’s sleep, one feels not to have had enough rest.
Increased risk for errors and accidents.

When should one seek medical attention?

If a person finds it difficult to perform given tasks during the day by experiencing the above signs and symptoms, they should seek medical attention. If the doctor identifies the signs of sleep disorder, the person will be referred for special testing and treatment plans.

What are the common causes of sleeping disorders?

You may have a sleeping disorder without knowing, but these are some of the causes;

Irregular sleep schedules

You may find yourself taking a nap during odd hours during day-to-day activities, which is different from the regular schedule. If this routine carries on persistently day in day out, you may develop difficulty sleeping.

Changing one’s lifestyle

Most people tend to change their everyday routines regularly, increasing the risks of sleeping disorders. This is because our bodies are created to adapt to the activities we perform every day. When this changes, you may experience sleeping difficulty. Some of these habits include sleeping in later to make up for lost sleep and stimulating the brain until late nights by working up to late hours.

You may be having poor sleeping habits

A person with an irregular bedtime schedule may experience sleeping difficulties. Some people have a habit of using their beds for work and eating simultaneously.

Stress

When one suffers from stress over a given task, such as social relationships and work-related activities, they have a higher risk of lack of sleep.

What are the possible ways of treating the condition?

Following your sleeping schedules, no matter the type of situation your life is in.
To experience quality sleep, you must be consistent with the set sleep and waking up time.
Avoid taking large quantities of meals and beverages before bedtime—overeating has been shown to result in waking up during the night more often.
Ensuring proper relaxation of the body. You should always perform breathing exercises, muscle relaxation. This helps improve sleep.
Seeking medication. You may opt to take in stimulus control when you lack quality sleep, but it’s advisable to consult the doctor to ensure you have a sleeping disorder.
Always reserve your bed for resting and sleeping. This will prevent unnecessary naps during the day. Train yourself to eat and perform other activities at the right time and place.