Posted by Chantel Martiromo, Article By Kyle J. Norton
Insomnia is a sign and symptom
of sleep disorder and defined as a condition in which a person has a
difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep or sleep of poor
quality that can lead to substantial impairments in the quality of life
and functional capacity of an individual. Most adults have experienced
insomnia sometimes in their life. According to statistic, more than 30%
of the population suffers from insomnia, one in three people suffer from
some form of insomnia during their lifetime and women suffer from
insomnia more often than men.
Causes and Ricks factors of insomnia in women
There are many factors that can cause insomnia
1. Hormone change
Hormones
produced by glands or organs during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or in
the stage of menopause can affect the pattern of sleep.
a. Menstrual cycle
According to an article posted at reader digest version, health- menstrual insomnia by By Ellen Michaud with Julie Bain from Sleep to Be Sexy Smart and Slim showed
that Premenstrual insomnia, as doctors call it, seems to be associated
with a rapid drop in the hormone progesterone. “Progesterone is a
soporific, a sedative-type drug that your body gives you every month
when you ovulate,” says Dr. Lee.(researcher) “Then, just before your
period, its production either slows to a trickle or falls
dramatically.”
b. Menopause
According to the article of
Menopause And Insomnia -- New Findings Link Estrogen Decline,
Sleeplessness And Mineral Deficiency post on medical news today 15 May
2007 - 12:00 showed that women in the per-menopause and menopause years
are more and more finding themselves experiencing symptoms of chronic
insomnia,.....Some of the above reactions occur nearly simultaneously
whenever the level of estrogen falls. as a result of gradual drop in
estrogen but severe drop in progesterone.
c. Pregnancy
The hormonal change during pregnancy may also affect the sleep pattern in some women, causing insomnia. According to a study of 189
women completed the surveys provided by the researchers at Northwestern
studying insomnia and pregnancy, researchers found that pregnancy insomnia could also be caused by inadequate nutrient intake,
particularly in the later stages as more nutrients are being directed
to the developing fetus. For example, blood levels of the omega-3
fatty acid Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) become much lower during the
third trimester.
DHA is necessary for normal brain function. Low
DHA levels have been associated with depression. That could be the
connection between increased insomnia during pregnancy. The brain
receptors responsible for regulating sleep are the same as those
responsible for regulating mood. Both insomnia and pregnancy can affect
the mood as a result of the effects of sleep deprivation and hormonal
changes.
2. Disorder causes of insomnia
Women who has been affected by anxiety disorders or the delayed sleep phase disorder may experience the symptom of insomnia.
3. Frequent nighttime urination
Frequent
nighttime urination can cause sleep disturbance, if the disorder
persists for the prolonged period of time can lead to insomnia.
4. Depression and Anxiety
Women who have been affected by depression and anxiety are at high risk of developing insomnia.
5. Stimulants
Stimulants can cause nervous tension that can lead to insomnia.
6. Mental disorders
Increased risk insomnia for women with mental disorder.
7. Medical conditions
Certain sickness such as hyperthyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis[ can lead to insomnia.
8. Physical exercise
Exercise-induced
insomnia ((EII)) is common in athletes. In a study of the
epidemiological survey of exercise-induced insomnia in Chinese athletes
by Youqi Shi, Zhihong Zhou, Ke Ning, Jianhong LIU, researchers concluded that EII
symptoms are generally existed in Chinese athletes. The
difficulty-initiating sleep(DIS)are most prevalent (79.5%) among EII. It
frequently occurs after intensity exercise and before competition. 95%
of EII symptoms belong to temporary psychological and physiological
insomnia while 5% of them match the definition of insomnia described by
the CCMD-2-R or are so-called obstinate psychological and physiological
insomnia.
9. Excessive alcohol intake
Excessive intake of
alcohol can interfere with the function of the nervous system in
information transmitting information between brain cells and cells in
the body, prolonged excessive drinking can cause insomnia.
10. Smoking
Smoking is a stimulant which can interfere with the body's ability to fall asleep.
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