Medical Conditions that Cause Insomnia

• being unable to sleep even though you feel tired
• daytime issues, such as irritability, fatigue and being unable to concentrate
• needing alcohol or sleeping pills to fall asleep
• waking too early and being unable to go back to sleep
• waking often during the night.

Types of Medical Conditions that Cause Insomnia

• Alcoholism: Many people mistakenly believe alcohol will make it easier to fall asleep. However, while it does make it easier to fall asleep in some cases, it causes sleep fragmentation. People who have a serious problem with alcoholism often suffer from insomnia.
  
  
• Alzheimer's Disease: This neurological disease causes patients to become agitated and upset when the sun begins to set, and this often continues into the night, making it very hard for them to get to sleep.
  
  
• Asthma: The various symptoms of asthma usually get worse at night. Asthma can cause shortness of breath that will result in insomnia. In addition, some of the common medications for asthma can also cause insomnia.
  
  
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD: Insomnia is also common for people with COPD. They often find themselves coughing excessively, have low blood oxygen and experience bronchospasms that interfere with sleep. Some of the medications used to treat COPD also cause insomnia.
  
  
• Fibromyalgia: The symptoms of fibromyalgia include chronic pain in joints and muscles. People with chronic pain conditions like this often suffer from insomnia because the pain interferes with their ability to go to sleep and stay asleep.
  
  
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD: This is characterized by acid reflux that makes it hard for a person to fall asleep or wakes them up during the night. The burning in the esophagus caused by GERD can be painful and irritating.
  
  
• Headache: Any headache can be painful enough to cause insomnia. It becomes even more of a problem when the headaches become frequent enough to interfere with sleep on a regular basis.
  
  
• Mood Disorders: Insomnia is a common symptom of mood disorders. People with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder often suffer from insomnia due to chemical imbalances in the brain or worry over difficult life issues.
  
  
• Parkinson's Disease: Another neurological disease, the insomnia that Parkinson’s disease causes is often characterized by limb movements and sometimes breathing disorders. Some of the medications used to treat Parkinson's disease also cause insomnia.
  
  
• Various other health and medical issues can also cause insomnia. Some of these include dementia, arthritis, narcolepsy, excessively loud snoring, menopause and many others.

When a person is suffering from insomnia, it is important to see a doctor if the insomnia persists. In many cases, insomnia goes away over time and is a transient condition related to things going on in a person's life. However, chronic insomnia is often a symptom of some other condition, such as a medical, neurological or other health issue. By treating the medical condition, the insomnia can often be treated as well.

Resources

Kemp, Gina, M.A. & Segal, Robert, M.A. (2005). Insomnia and Sleep Problems: Causes, Types and Effects. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from Help Guide Web site: http://www.helpguide.org/life/insomnia_causes_diagnosis.htm.