There is nothing worse than waking up for work after a poor night’s sleep. Lack of rest can affect your concentration, productivity, and mood throughout the day. While it’s normal for this to occur from time to time, when sleeplessness becomes a routine problem, it’s known as insomnia. Below is a brief guide to the causes and symptoms of insomnia and what can be done to treat it.

Understanding Insomnia 

What Causes It?

One of the main causes of insomnia is stress or trauma from life events; this could be in your personal or work life. These concerns might race through your mind, causing you to stay up for hours rather than being able to fall asleep. Insomnia can also be a side effect of certain medications or stimulants, such as caffeine and alcohol. It might also be a symptom of an underlying health disorder, including chronic back pain, arthritis, asthma, and sinus allergies.

What Are Its Symptoms?

Staying up late into the night is the main symptom of insomnia. This can also include waking up frequently throughout the night or feeling especially tired throughout the day due to the low quality of sleep. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating during the day, feeling fatigued after a night’s sleep, overthinking about sleeping, and irritability. 

What Treatments Are Available?

Before seeing a doctor, try to create a sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and turn off electronics at least an hour before you want to sleep. Taking a warm bath can also help relax the body. If you’re still experiencing trouble drifting off, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist. These professionals can teach you several methods to ease you into falling asleep, including relaxation techniques to control your breathing and heart rate, light therapy to get your body used to a sleeping schedule, and sleep restriction therapy, which avoids naps and promotes overnight sleeping.

If you’re experiencing persistent insomnia, don’t wait to reach out to the specialists at Glacier Headache & Sleep Medicine Center. For over 20 years, this premier practice has specialized in the diagnosis, study, and treatment of sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. Call (406) 752-1729 to schedule an appointment with one of their experts. Visit their website to learn more about their full range of offerings.