Sleep disorders are common. Today, for example, more than half a million people with a sleep disorder are known to the family doctor!
A sleep disorder is 1.5 times more common in women than in men. There are several types of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. Insomnia is also a sleep disorder, even the most common one.
In this article, we talk more about insomnia, its causes and how a chiropractor can help with this condition.
What is insomnia?
When you suffer from insomnia, you have difficulty falling asleep and often lie awake for a long time before falling asleep. Moreover, you may wake up during the night and lie awake for longer periods of time. Also, waking up early and not getting back to sleep at all is a common complaint in people with insomnia.
We speak of insomnia when you suffer from sleep interruptions at least three times a week. When this lasts longer than three months, it is chronic insomnia. Reduced sleep quality means you are often tired or sleepy during the day and have impaired concentration.
This causes reduced responsiveness, for example, which can be dangerous while driving.
Habitual sleep instead of a sleep disorder
The counterpart of a sleep disorder is habitual sleep. Some people only need six hours of sleep, where others need 10 hours of sleep. On average, people sleep about eight hours a night.
Sufficient sleep quantity does not mean good sleep quality. In other words, if you sleep enough, it doesn’t necessarily mean you get enough rest. After all, everyone lies awake from time to time or can’t sleep well because of tension.
If you feel fit enough during the day, you will rest sufficiently.
What is the cause of insomnia?
Insomnia can have several causes. Tension or stress due to busyness and not enough relaxation can quickly cause sleep problems. Physical complaints such as having to urinate (often) at night, coughing or pain interrupt the night, so you don’t get enough rest.
Also, psychological complaints such as anxiety and depression often cause insomnia.
Another cause of insomnia is a disruption of the day and night rhythms, which can be caused by irregular working hours, jet lag, going to sleep too late or by inhibiting the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain. The release of this hormone occurs only in the evening. Under the influence of (blue) light, this release is inhibited. This does not help falling asleep.
