Medical Reasons You Can't Sleep

Insomnia; what is it

Insomnia is when one can not fall asleep even though he wants to, or can't stay asleep long enough.

What Insomnia might do to you

Lack of sleep can make you depressed, cranky, anxious or moody.

It may be difficult to think straight or remember things. Insomnia 

is also linked to obesity,hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

Stress

A job loss or death of some love one often cause some sleepless nights. This is called acute insomnia and usually it goes away on its own. Long time worry, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and

PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) can lead to chronic stress. 

Irregular Sleep Times

Inconsistent bedtime, working overnight, changing shifts of job

or long flight from another time zone can lead to a confused 

body clock which may result in keeping you up when its time

for bed.

Mental Illness

A troubled mental state plays a major role. People with depression,

anxiety, bipolar and obsessive compulsive disorders are far more 

likely to have insomnia.

Breathing Problems

Heavy snoring, allergic rhinitis, asthma all may interfere with normal sleep.

Dementia

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia may cause insomnia,
restlessness or may unsettle a person when he is expected to go
to sleep. This is also known as sundown syndrome or sun downing.  

Pain

Whether from arthritis, chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, cancer 

or any other type of pain may cause difficulty in inducing sleep 

or may interrupt peaceful sleep.

Itching

Psoriasis or eczema can cause severe itching and burning so that 

may disturb sleep. 

Parkinson's disease

There is interference in nerve and brain signaling and may result in

more wakening than sleeping.

Menopause

There is hormonal imbalance which affect the mental state of a 

woman and may result in insomnia beside hot flushes and other

problems.

Medication

Drugs for allergies, heart disease, hypertension, thyroid problems

and depression might also cause insomnia.

Primary Insomnia

No mental, environmental or health problem yet unable to sleep;

doctors say in these cases the brain is more alert --too alert.