What causes insomnia?

Sometimes its hard to fall asleep or to stay asleep which leads to lack of sleep or poor sleep. As a result, feelings of tiredness overwhelm the person the next morning. What brings on insomnia?

Stress and anxiety

Insomnia can appear after stressful events. Problems at work or school and concerns about jobs, health, income, family, friends, or relationships can affect one’s sleep.

It can be sickness or the death of a loved one or trouble in a marriage. These issues make our brain work overtime at night when we lie down in bed.

And as long as the brain does not relax, sleep seems impossible. Poor sleep can continue for a long time after the problems have passed.

Travel or work schedule

Our circadian rhythms control our sleep-wake cycle, triggering us to go to bed and wake up. Certain problems can affect the circadian rhythm, leading to insomnia.

For example, travelling across numerous time zones and experiencing severe jet lag, working too late at night or starting work too early.

Therefore, it is important to design a healthy work schedule and take steps to relieve symptoms of jet lag. Try to drink plenty of water.

Eating habits

Drinking coffee, tea, milk tea, or energy drinks in the evening or eating too much late at night can bring about trouble in sleeping. Caffeine makes a person feel wide awake.

Eat a light snack before going to bed as eating too much causes the stomach to become uncomfortable when lying down.

Poor sleeping environment

A poor sleep environment can contribute to insomnia. An uncomfortable bed, pillow or a bedroom that is too hot, cold, noisy or bright can all make it hard to sleep.

Thus, change the sleeping conditions if possible. Turn off the lights, buy another bed, use one more blanket, or turn on the air-conditioner.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can cause insomnia, including:

  • Mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenia
  • Physical health problems such as chronic pain, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, over-active thyroid, arthritis, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, urinary incontinence, snoring, sleepwalking, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea.


The medications we take may also have side effects, including insomnia.

These medications include certain types of antidepressants, drugs for high blood pressure, pain medications, allergy medications, weight-loss products, drugs used to treat asthma, and stimulants used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy.


As we age, our bodies changes and insomnia becomes more common. Changes in the environment can wake us up easily.

We also tend to be less active when we get old. A lack of activity can contribute to a lack of sleep. In addition, chronic diseases occur more often.

Insomnia is a common condition affecting sleep. Several factors can lead to this problem, including routine, health condition and medications.

If one finds it difficult to handle this condition, it is best to seek help from a professional.

Source : Hello Doktor