Risk Factors for Insomnia
Over 50% of the adult population suffers from insomnia. The risk factors involved are many and to avoid them you must know exactly what conditions can lead you to sleep deprivation.
- Over 50% adults suffer from insomnia.
- Factors which put you at the risk of insomnia can vary from age to gender.
- Your mental well-being plays an important role in insomnia.
- Your job timinigs and financial status also put you at a risk of insomnia.
Anyone can suffer from insomnia. Research suggests that approximately 55% percent of all adults suffer from insomnia in their lifetime. However certain factors which increase your risk of insomnia include the following.
Woman
Insomnia is more common in women than men. This is especially true for periods of hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause. The hormonal changes of menopause that cause hot flashes and night sweats are believed to cause insomnia. Many pregnant women find it difficult to sleep well at night especially in the first trimester. The condition may improve in second trimester and then again worsen during the third trimester due to size of the abdomen and the discomfort and aches and pains of pregnancy.
Age
Prevalence of insomnia increases with age that is insomnia is more common in older people (especially people older than 60). Studies suggest that 50% of people older than 65 years have some sleeping disorder.
Mental Health Disorder
The risk of insomnia is increased in people with many mental health problem such as mood disorders (such as depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders (such as generalised anxiety, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder), and psychotic disorders, (such as schizophrenia).About 90% of people with depression suffer from insomnia.
Stress
People with stress are likely to experience insomnia. Any stressful event such as loss of job, financial problem, health issue, divorce, death or illness of a loved one, can lead to insomnia. In most cases stress induced insomnia is a temporary event but the problem may persist even after the stress has been resolved.
Low Socio-Economic Groups
People from low socio-economic groups, or who are unemployed are at higher risk of suffering from insomnia.
Shift Workers
People who work at night or changing shifts are more likely to experience insomnia.
Jet Lag
There is risk of short term insomnia in people who travel rapidly across time zones (that is jet lag), but the symptoms usually go away within a few days.
You must know the risk factors of any disease in order to eradicate it completely from your life. People who are at a higher risk of experiencing insomia, must be fully aware of the reasons behind its occurrence.
Read more on Insomnia.
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Source: Onlymyhealth editorial team Mar 20, 2014
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