Posted on May 9, 2009 in Latest News
Primary insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, having disturbed sleep for at least one month without having any underlying physical or mental condition. Primary insomnia is also known as chronic insomnia or psychophysiological insomnia.
The word primary means, insomnia that is not caused due to factors such asthma, arthritis, breathing problems, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, substance/drug abuse or other factors.
Primary Insomnia Causes:
Primary insomnia can be caused due to the following reasons:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Alcohol , caffeine, smoking etc.
- Irregular sleeping patterns
People who work during the night, parents who stay awake to look after their young children, and those who have irregular sleeping patterns are at high risk of primary insomnia. Primary insomnia can be disturbing as the more you try to sleep, the more it becomes difficult, giving rise to frustration and fatigue.
Primary Insomnia Symptoms:
The following are the symptoms of primary insomnia:
- Difficulty getting to sleep
- Having a tough time staying asleep
- Fatigue
Tests:
To diagnose primary insomnia, your doctor may conduct physical exam and ask questions about medical history, use of medications, substance abuse etc. To rule out sleep disorders, the doctor may also conduct polysomnography, which is an overnight sleep study.
Primary Insomnia Management:
Primary insomnia can be managed by:
- Having regular sleeping patterns i.e. sleeping at the same time daily
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol before bedtime
- Exercising in the morning
- Avoiding day time napping
- Following pre-sleep rituals such as listening music, having bath, or reading a book
- Avoiding eating before bedtime
- Making sure the sleeping conditions are comfortable by limiting nose, lights, and ensuring proper temperature in the bedroom
- Managing anxiety
Primary insomnia can be managed by following proper sleep hygiene. Do consult your doctor if your insomnia is consistent.
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