The Different Types of Insomnia and How to Handle Them
More and more, we’re being told that sleep health is integral to our overall physical, mental, and emotional health. Sleeping allows our bodies the time to heal and repair overnight, impacting how we live and function in our day-to-day lives.
However, according to one report, a staggering estimate of 50 to 70 million Americans deal with problems related to sleep. One of the more well-known sleep issues is that of insomnia.
Continue reading for a brief overview of what different types of insomnia exist and how you can find insomnia relief.
Acute Insomnia
Acute insomnia falls under the umbrella of short-term insomnia. As the name suggests, this type can last anywhere from days to weeks on end.
This type may also be referred to as adjustment insomnia due to the onset of the condition from stress. Stressors that trigger this may include:
- Unfamiliar surroundings
- Feeling physically uncomfortable
- Pharmaceuticals
- Major life changes such as grief or job loss
- Chronic illness
In general, adjustment insomnia resolves itself when the perceived stressors are no longer present in an individual’s life.
Chronic Insomnia
Once insomnia symptoms have surpassed the 4-week mark, insomnia could be categorized as chronic.
The causes for this condition are wide-ranging. Underlying conditions or factors that contribute to chronic insomnia might look like:
- Sleep apnea
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Certain medications
- Unusual lifestyle factors
- Excessive caffeine consumption
Onset Insomnia
This particular type of insomnia can fall under either the acute or chronic umbrella. It happens when an individual has difficulty when it comes to initiating a sleep routine.
When you look at factors such as anxiety, depression, or major life changes all making sleep difficult, this type of insomnia is not surprising. Similar to chronic insomnia, excessive caffeine consumption can also play a role in the manifestation of this type.
Additional Types
Other informally classified types affect people differently such as:
- Sleep maintenance insomnia
- Early morning awakening insomnia
- Mixed or comorbid insomnia
- Maintenance insomnia
While the inability to sleep well manifests differently in everyone, there are several ways in which those who suffer from insomnia can find relief.
Insomnia Relief
Insomnia treatment will of course vary depending on the particular type of insomnia in question. Relief may come in a variety of forms and what works best for one person may not necessarily work best for another.
Some treatments may address environmental or lifestyle factors such as diet and TV usage before bed. Various relaxation therapies or meditation may be recommended.
If you’ve ever searched ‘what to take for insomnia’ you may have come across a few suggestions such as melatonin or valerian. Various medications or natural remedies like CBD crude oil may be suggested to help with symptoms as well. While CBD oil for insomnia may feel like a relatively new option, CBD has the potential to be an effective treatment for insomnia symptoms.
Say Goodnight to Different Types of Insomnia
Hopefully this quick overview has provided some insight into the different types of insomnia and what you can do if you suffer from it.
Regardless of the type, one commonality to remember is this: lack of sleep makes it difficult to function throughout the day. Taking care of insomnia now will be beneficial for your overall health in the long run.
If you found the above information interesting, feel free to check out any of the other articles we offer in our Health section.