Chronic insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep that happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. Short-term (acute) insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. There are various causes of insomnia, including stress related to big life events, like a job loss or change, the death of a loved one, divorce, or moving. Other primary causes of insomnia include noise, light, or temperature, changes to the sleep schedule and genes. The secondary causes of insomnia include mental health issues like depression and anxiety, medications, pain or discomfort at night, caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol use, pregnancy, and hyperthyroidism.
Insomnia affects women more than men and older people more than younger ones. Other risk factors for developing chronic insomnia include long-term illness, mental health issues, and working night shifts or shifts that rotate. Chronic insomnia is characterized by sleepiness during the day, fatigue, grumpiness, and problems with concentration or memory. Also, people with this condition experience irritability, difficulty concentrating, trouble falling asleep, daytime sleepiness or grogginess, and waking up throughout the night.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective techniques for managing chronic insomnia. It involves educating a patient on sleep and better sleep habits, while teaching them to change the beliefs and behaviors that interfere with their ability to sleep. Various prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids may also be effective in managing asleep. The medications inlcude zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), doxepin (Silenor), ramelteon (Rozerem), suvorexant (Belsomra), and temazepam (Restoril). Harvard style
There are also home remedies for chronic insomnia such as avoiding caffeine, avoid alcohol use and smoking cigarettes before bed, engage in regular physical activity, not taking naps, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, avoid using computers, smartphones, TV, or other technological devices an hour before bedtime.