When we think of the sleepless nights that we?ve had, we can usually figure out what?s caused them. Those who suffer from actual insomnia, however, don?t always understand what has brought it about, although the evidence is usually fairly clear. Insomnia, the inability to sleep, affects millions of people around the world. While it?s often caused by either physical catalysts or surfaces as the result of psychological problems, it isn?t limited to those two trigger areas. In many cases, this type of sleeplessness comes about as the result of a specific event.
In the case of event-triggered insomnia, you might naturally come to the conclusion that this is caused by a significant occurrence, such as the loss of a loved one or a physical trauma that was suffered. In reality, insomnia can be spawned by something as small as a change in the weather pattern. As unlikely as it may seem, events that we perceive as insignificant ? or even those that we don?t recognize ? can be at the root of our sleepless nights.
While most people work during the day and sleep at night, there are many who have to change their sleeping habits to include a daytime sleep pattern, since they work an overnight shift. Since this goes against the body?s natural tendency, the result can be insomnia. The same effect might be brought about by working overly long hours ? especially if that?s outside of the normal pattern.
Traveling can wreak havoc with your health on many levels, but when changing time zones ? especially if those changes are significant ? the body has no chance to adjust to its new pattern and is expected to sleep when the clock strikes a certain hour. It can take a few days for the body to make such adjustments and, in the meantime, may suffer from insomnia.
You may have noticed that, on the side of some medicine bottles ? especially those that are of the over-the-counter variety ? the warning label states that it may cause excitability. What this really means is that you may end up suffering from sleeplessness as a result of taking that particular medication. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of insomnia, and ask if there?s a medication that doesn?t list this as a side effect. There are often alternative medicines that are designed to eliminate certain effects, and excitability may be one of them.
Of course, it?s fairly common knowledge that drinking a cup of coffee before going to bed isn?t the best idea, but tea also has a great deal of caffeine, as does chocolate, soda and certain cough and cold medicines. Try to avoid ingesting any of these items when evening comes along, in order to ensure a good night?s rest.
For those who are away from home, there?s typically no need to be overly concerned if you find that you?re having trouble sleeping. A change in surroundings is one of the most common triggers of insomnia, as is any other significant environmental change ? such as noise, temperature or lighting. If you?re the type of person who?s used to sleeping in a very dark room with a fan blowing on you to provide both coolness and background noise, then you?re most likely going to experience trouble sleeping if you find yourself in an environment that offers light coming in through the windows, total silence and a significant variation in temperature. Any type of external pattern that?s changed can cause insomnia to rear its ugly head.
Whenever sleeplessness becomes a problem, don?t take matters into your own hands for long. If it persists, contact your physician for a complete exam and to discuss the possible causes and treatments. Sleep deprivation can cause serious health problems and shouldn?t be dismissed as simply a phase that you?re going through.
Find out more about insomnia and how you can restore healthy sleep naturally by visiting http://www.curing-insomnia.com