Hypoxia and Medicine

Can insomnia be a symptom of a different underlying medical condition? If yes, what?

Public Comments

1. Hypertension, Depression, Thyrotoxicosis etc. It needs thorough check up.
2. anxiety
3. Medical Conditions In a 1999 survey, 22% of adults reported that health conditions, pain, or discomfort impaired their sleep. Among the many medical problems (and some of the drugs that treat them) that can cause insomnia are allergies, arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, rheumatologic conditions, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroidism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Response to Change or Stress A reaction to change or stress is one of the most common causes of short-term and transient insomnia. In one large 1999 survey, 34% of women and 22% of men reported that stress affected their sleep. This condition is sometimes referred to as adjustment sleep disorder. The precipitating factor could be a traumatic event such as acute illness, injury or surgery, or the loss of a loved one, or it could be a minor event, including extremes in weather, an exam, traveling, or trouble at work. In such cases, normal sleep almost always returns when the individual recovers from the event or becomes acclimated to the new situation. Jet Lag Air travel across time zones often causes insomnia. After long plane trips, one day of adjustment is usually needed for each time zone crossed. Traveling west, to earlier times, seems to be less traumatic than going east to a later time, because it is easier to lengthen a circadian phase than to shorten it. Working Conditions In one study, people on night shifts or on schedules of two- and three-shifts tended to suffer more from sleep-related problems, including insomnia, than those on day shifts. Another study found that 53% of night-shift workers fall asleep on the job at least once a week, implying that their internal clocks do not adjust to unusual work times. They are also at much higher risk than other workers for automobile accidents due to their drowsiness. A Japanese study reporting on different aspects of insomnia found that excessive computer work was associated with all forms of insomnia. People who were overinvolved with their work tended to have trouble falling asleep and they tended to awaken earlier than average. Caffeine, Alcohol, and other Substances Certain lifestyle habits can lead to sleeplessness. Caffeine most commonly disrupts sleep. An estimated 10% to 15% of chronic insomnia cases result from substance abuse, especially alcohol, cocaine, and sedatives. One or two alcoholic drinks at dinner poses little danger of alcoholism and may help reduce stress and initiate sleep. Excess alcohol or alcohol used to promote sleep, however, tends to fragment sleep and cause wakefulness a few hours later. It also increases the risk for other sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and restless legs. Alcoholics often suffer insomnia during withdrawal and, in some cases, for several years during recovery. Nicotine can cause wakefulness and quitting smoking can also cause transient insomnia. It has been suggested that if sleeping could be improved during withdrawal from smoking, then perhaps it would be easier to quit smoking. Partner's Sleep Habits In one 1999 survey, 17% of women and 5% of men reported that their partner's sleep habits impaired their own sleep. Snoring can certainly be a factor in a partner's insomnia. In fact, in the same survey 44% of men and 36% of women reported snoring a few nights a week and of those who snored, 19% could be heard through a closed door. Medications Insomnia is a side effect of many common medications, including over-the-counter preparations that contain caffeine. People who suspect their medications are causing them to lose sleep should check with a physician or pharmacist. Environmental Factors In one study, 20% of adults reported that light, noise, and uncomfortable temperatures caused their sleeplessness. It is well known that a person's biologic circadian clock is triggered by sunlight and very bright artificial light to maintain wakefulness. One study indicated that even dim artificial light may disrupt sleep. A change in the environmental factors such as noise, as stated in the first category could also contribute to transient insomnia. Emotional Disorders A large percentage of chronic insomnia cases prove to have a serious psychologic or psychological basis. The disorders that most often cause insomnia are chronic anxiety, depression, and bipolar (manic) depression. At least 70% of people with depression complain of insomnia. Depression has been associated with abnormal levels of certain stress hormones that can impair sleep are similar to those associated with aging. It should be noted, however, that insomnia may also cause emotional problems and it is often unclear which condition has triggered the other. Hormonal Fluctuations in Women Fluctuations in female and stress hormones play a major role in insomnia in women. Progesterone promotes sleep, and levels of this hormone plunge during menstruation, causing insomnia, and rise during ovulation, when women may be sleepy. During pregnancy, progesterone levels in the first and last trimester can disrupt normal sleep patterns. Insomnia can be a major problem in the first phases of menopause, when hormones are fluctuating intensely. Hot flashes, sweating, and a sense of anxiety can awaken women suddenly and frequently at night during the first months of menopause. Insomnia may also be perpetuated by psychologic distress provoked by this life passage. Hormonal Changes during Aging Normal aging is associated with a blunting in the surges of growth hormone, a substance associated with sleep. In addition, increased levels of cortisol, a major stress hormone, have been observed in some, but not all studies. (Contrary to previous information, levels of melatonin, the hormone secreted by the pineal gland that is associated with sleep, does not appear to decrease as one ages.) Delayed Sleep-Phase Syndrome Delayed sleep-phase syndrome is the term for a circadian clock that runs late but reliably. People who have this condition fall asleep very late at night or in early morning hours, but then they sleep normally. Nightly Leg Problems Leg disorders that occur at night, such as restless legs syndrome or leg cramps, are a common cause of insomnia, particularly in older people. Genetic Factors Sleep problems among identical twins are more likely to be connected than among fraternal twins, indicating that sleep disturbances probably have a genetic component. Childhood Insomnia One study suggested that parents who do not regulate bedtime schedules may encourage a tendency for sleeplessness in their child. In such cases, however, the insomnia is usually mild and occasional. Severe sleep disturbances were associated with the temperament of the child. Children with such sleep problems were more high-strung, intense, and easily upset than other children. The study did not examine, however, whether these traits might have derived from problems in the home, such as marital discord or parental depression. Behavioral factors Chronic insomnia can also be due to behavioral factors. For example, the misuse of caffeine, alcohol or other substances, disrupted sleep/wake cycles and chronic stress.
4. Absolutely. Insomnia can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, or another sleep disorder..... From American Sleep Association: The causes of acute insomnia are most often related to irregular conditions in a person’s day-to-day life experiences. Significant stress from life like loss of a loved one, loosing a job or divorce can cause trouble sleeping. Illness, physical strain or medications may disrupt a person’s sleep cycle for a period of time as well. Some medications for colds, allergies or depression can act as stimulants. If this is the case, speak with your health care provider to find an alternative that will not disrupt your sleep. Other environmental influences can cause sleep disruption as well, like light, noise or temperature. In today’s modern society, working “swing shifts”, a night shift or jet lag also commonly cause sleep cycle disruptions. Chronic insomnia is related to other underlying conditions such as depression or anxiety, pain or discomfort during the night or chronic stress. If the trouble sleeping is related to a medical condition, it is imperative that the medical condition is addressed. Loss of sleep while ill may lead to decreased ability to recover from an illness. In addition, treating the medical condition causing ones insomnia will most often relieve the symptoms of insomnia.