Are you having trouble sleeping? Are you a light sleeper and wake up late at night or early in the morning? Do you have a hard time concentrating? Do you wake up tired even after sleeping? If these symptoms bother you, you're probably suffering from insomnia - a common condition that robs people of sleep.
Insomniacs have difficulty falling or staying asleep.
The condition affects over one-third of adults and is a chronic problem in 10 to 15 percent of Americans.
The usual victims are women and people over 60.
Women commonly experience insomnia due to hormonal changes that accompany menstruation and the menopause.
As you age, your sleep patterns change and sleep becomes less restful at this time.
Night shift workers and air travelers are also at higher risk for insomnia.
Aside from difficulty sleeping, insomnia is characterized by sleepiness during the day, poor concentration, headaches, irritability, anxiety or depression.
Over time, it can decrease your energy level and dramatically affect your daily activities.
Insomnia can arise from the stress of everyday life.
If your mind is occupied with the problems you have at school, work or in the family, you can't sleep for sure.
The condition may be a symptom of a mental health disorder or other ailments like heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
Certain prescription medications can also affect the way you sleep.
The use of some prescription drugs can also cause sleep difficulty.
These include, corticosteroids, allergy medicine, antidepressants, stimulants and heart and blood pressure medication.
Even some over-the-counter medications have stimulants and caffeine.
Decongestants and weight-loss medicines are notorious for this side effect and while an antihistamine may make you feel sleepy, it will cause urinary problems that could keep you up at night.
Avoid coffee, tea and soft drinks containing caffeine in the late afternoon or evenings.
These could definitely keep you awake or tossing and turning all night if consumed during a normal sleeping schedule.
Tobacco also contains nicotine which acts as a stimulant causing insomnia.
(No wonder so many smokers light up a cigarette first thing in the morning!) And then there's alcohol which is a sedative but also tends to prevent deep and restful sleep.
To sleep soundly, see a doctor for any health problems you may have that may interfere with your sleep.
Check medications that may keep you awake.
Avoid bringing your problems to bed and follow a regular sleep schedule.
Don't read, eat or watch TV while in bed.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages at bedtime and stop smoking.
"Taking prescription sleeping pills, such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata) or ramelteon (Rozerem), also may help you get to sleep.
However, in rare cases, these medications may cause severe allergic reactions, facial swelling and unusual behaviors, such as driving or preparing and eating food while asleep.
Side effects of prescription sleeping medications are often more pronounced in older people and may include excessive drowsiness, impaired thinking, night wandering, agitation and balance problems," cautions the Mayo Clinic.
One good way to sleep is to have someone remind you that it's bedtime.
Modern alarm clocks with voice control technology can do this.
They not only make good conversation pieces but they can actually talk to you and play calming music to help you sleep.
Insomniacs have difficulty falling or staying asleep.
The condition affects over one-third of adults and is a chronic problem in 10 to 15 percent of Americans.
The usual victims are women and people over 60.
Women commonly experience insomnia due to hormonal changes that accompany menstruation and the menopause.
As you age, your sleep patterns change and sleep becomes less restful at this time.
Night shift workers and air travelers are also at higher risk for insomnia.
Aside from difficulty sleeping, insomnia is characterized by sleepiness during the day, poor concentration, headaches, irritability, anxiety or depression.
Over time, it can decrease your energy level and dramatically affect your daily activities.
Insomnia can arise from the stress of everyday life.
If your mind is occupied with the problems you have at school, work or in the family, you can't sleep for sure.
The condition may be a symptom of a mental health disorder or other ailments like heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
Certain prescription medications can also affect the way you sleep.
The use of some prescription drugs can also cause sleep difficulty.
These include, corticosteroids, allergy medicine, antidepressants, stimulants and heart and blood pressure medication.
Even some over-the-counter medications have stimulants and caffeine.
Decongestants and weight-loss medicines are notorious for this side effect and while an antihistamine may make you feel sleepy, it will cause urinary problems that could keep you up at night.
Avoid coffee, tea and soft drinks containing caffeine in the late afternoon or evenings.
These could definitely keep you awake or tossing and turning all night if consumed during a normal sleeping schedule.
Tobacco also contains nicotine which acts as a stimulant causing insomnia.
(No wonder so many smokers light up a cigarette first thing in the morning!) And then there's alcohol which is a sedative but also tends to prevent deep and restful sleep.
To sleep soundly, see a doctor for any health problems you may have that may interfere with your sleep.
Check medications that may keep you awake.
Avoid bringing your problems to bed and follow a regular sleep schedule.
Don't read, eat or watch TV while in bed.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages at bedtime and stop smoking.
"Taking prescription sleeping pills, such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata) or ramelteon (Rozerem), also may help you get to sleep.
However, in rare cases, these medications may cause severe allergic reactions, facial swelling and unusual behaviors, such as driving or preparing and eating food while asleep.
Side effects of prescription sleeping medications are often more pronounced in older people and may include excessive drowsiness, impaired thinking, night wandering, agitation and balance problems," cautions the Mayo Clinic.
One good way to sleep is to have someone remind you that it's bedtime.
Modern alarm clocks with voice control technology can do this.
They not only make good conversation pieces but they can actually talk to you and play calming music to help you sleep.
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