Causes of Insomnia
Some of the common causes of insomnia include the following:
Psychological
- Psychological problems like fear, stress, emotional tension, work problems, unsatisfactory sexual life.
- Psychiatric problems such as clinical depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Psychoactive drugs or stimulants including caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines and methylphenidate.
Medical Conditions
- Cardiac—Ischemia and congestive heart failure.
- Endocrine—Hyperthyroidism and menopause.
- Neurology—Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease.
- Pulmonary—Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma.
- Gastrointestinal—Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Environmental
- Stressful or life-threatening events
- Disturbances of the circadian rhythm— shift work and jet lag.
- Environmental noise or other disturbances—bed partner with loud snoring.
Next page: Symptoms of insomnia
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 16, 2012