Basic Facts About Insomnia

Insomnia is a very common problem in modern-day society ? it has been calculated that as many as 30 per cent of people experience some kind of insomnia. Although this is an astonishingly high figure, it is almost as astonishing that so little is known in general about the disorder. The lack of knowledge about insomnia begins with the very definition ? what exactly is insomnia? And is all insomnia the same, or are there different types? Another fact that is very little known is what groups, or types, of people are more likely to suffer from insomnia. Knowing a little more about insomnia will help us, first, to identify it. But, more importantly, it could be an important step towards not just controlling it but in actually getting rid of it permanently.

A Misconception about Insomnia

Those who don?t know the facts about insomnia might be under the misconception that the condition is only used to describe people who can?t sleep at all. However, this is not the correct definition of the disorder.

Insomnia is defined as a condition wherein a person has difficulties with regards to his or her sleep patterns. This means that the term could be used to describe difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or restlessness during sleep.

Who Gets Insomnia?

Though it is possible for anyone to get insomnia, the medical disorder is more common in certain groups than in others. Insomnia has been found to be more common in females than in males, especially after menopause. Additionally, one little known fact about insomnia is that the ability to sleep, not the need for sleep, decreases with age. Thus, insomnia is also more common in the elderly.

Two Types of Insomnia

Another fact about insomnia is that there are two main types, which is one reason why it affects people to various degrees. The two different categories of insomnia are primary and secondary.

The type of insomnia that is most common is secondary insomnia. Secondary insomnia is caused by other factors, such as pain, disease, environmental changes, depression, or schedule changes. Treating secondary insomnia simply involves removing the cause. For example, if the patient drinks a lot of coffee, ending this habit would be a way to end the insomnia.

When insomnia occurs and a cause cannot be determined, it is called primary insomnia. Usually, primary insomnia can be traced back to an emotional disturbance or long term illness. One of the facts about primary insomnia is that it is usually more difficult to treat than secondary insomnia. Usually, some type of therapy is involved in the treatment.

Knowledge Is Power

Now that we know exactly what insomnia is, how many types there are, and what groups of people are more likely to suffer from it, we are in a much better position to combat it.