Causes of Insomnia

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Causes of insomnia are not always attributed to one single factor. Often, many contributing factors can interact together which cause an inability to initiate or maintain sleep. Insomnia may be an indicator of an undiagnosed medical condition for which prescription drugs may be prescribed if the problem persists. The varying causes of insomnia can be broken into three categories:

Causes of Insomnia Due To Psychological Effects:

Anxiety

Among the most common causes of insomnia which may occur due to tension, worry, apprehension, fear, or feelings of helplessness often associated with financial uncertainties, work, and relationships. There are many prescription drugs designed to treat the symptoms of anxiety. If you experience insomnia due to feelings of anxiousness, speak with your physician to learn more about the prescription drugs available to you.

Stress

Stress is one of the major causes of insomnia. Stress is a reaction to any number of physical, emotional, economic, or social factors which cause physical or mental pressure in the body which may lead to sleep problems like insomnia. Similar to anxiety, there are many prescription drugs for stress. If you experience sleep deprivation due to stress, your doctor may prescribe prescription drugs which can significantly improve your sleep at night.

Depression

Depression, in some cases, may also be among the causes of insomnia. Depression is characterized by mood disturbances in the body which lead to feelings of despair, discouragement and sadness which hinder one's ability to sleep. Depression may be due to external factors similar to anxiety and stress, such as work problems, finances, or relationships. Depression may also occur due to chemical imbalances in the brain associated with mental health disorders. In any case, depression is one of the common causes of insomnia and may deteriorate if not treated by a health physician or prescription drug.

Causes of Insomnia Due To Physical Effects:

Low Melatonin

Insomnia is sometimes associated with decreased levels of melatonin in the body, an event that occurs often in people over the age of 60 and decreases progressively as a person continues to age. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body's temperature, which controls sleepiness. Decreased levels of melatonin in the body may be a cause of insomnia and can be treated effectively by prescription drugs.

Medical Conditions

Causes of insomnia may also include allergies, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, chronic pain, high blood pressure and heart disease which inhibit the quality of one's sleep at night. Many prescription drugs are used to treat medical conditions which can significantly improve the effects of insomnia. If you experience any number of medical conditions which can cause insomnia, you may consider a prescription drug-- taking medicine before bed can significantly improve sleep.

Alcohol, Nicotine, and Caffeine

Often, caffeinated soda beverages, teas, coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol are big culprits of sleep deprivation. Avoid consuming beverages that contain caffeine late in the afternoon as it may inhibit your ability to sleep at night. Alcohol can also cause insomnia. Although alcohol may induce sleep, it has been known to disrupt the deeper stages of the sleep cycle. 

Other Causes of Insomnia:

Adjustment Sleep Disorder

Other causes of insomnia may include an external change or sudden stress, such as an illness, dispute, or traumatic event. In such a case, the body has difficulty adjusting to change, and consequently, insomnia may occur. 

Learned Insomnia

One can also develop learned insomnia, whereby excessive anxiety over sleep can inhibit the quality of one's sleep cycle. In many cases, prescription drugs are used to treat learned insomnia and may help those disposed to learned insomnia-- however, most people find reading a book or watching T.V. to be a remedial sleep aid before bed.

Medications

Some prescription drugs and over the counter medications may also be the cause of insomnia. Medications like certain antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine, bupropion), theophylline, lamotrigine, felbamate, beta-blockers, and beta-agonists are known to conflict with sleep and should be taken well in advance to sleep. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with your doctor about the causes of insomnia.