Insomnia Symptoms
Insomnia symptoms include difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up too early in the morning, and feeling fatigued throughout the day. If these are occurring for you, speak with your doctor to discover what’s causing them.
Pain from medical conditions like arthritis or chronic back issues can keep you up at night and make it difficult to fall asleep. Conversely, if recovering from a chronic illness like cancer or fibromyalgia, the discomfort may prevent you from drifting off peacefully at night.
Stress and anxiety from work, family issues or an overwhelming debt load can all lead to insomnia symptoms, according to Ash Nadkarni M.D. a psychiatrist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School. According to Dr Nadkarni: “Chronic stress activates your fight-or-flight response which floods your bloodstream with cortisol and adrenaline.”
Other factors that can interfere with getting enough rest at night include environmental conditions like bright street lights, noise from neighbors or a snoring partner, or an uncomfortable mattress or comforter. Adjusting to new schedules or shifts can also contribute to insomnia – particularly among those who work overnight, are night owls, or have large variations in their bedtimes.
Perpetuating factors are behaviors or beliefs which either perpetuate your sleep difficulties or make them worse, like staying up late, snoozing excessively, and thinking negatively about sleep, according to Meskill. Some medical issues like depression may also play a role.
