Insomnia Causes

Insomnia is something everyone suffers from occasionally. Insomnia can be caused by several different things. Insomnia can be inconvenient, but it can also become dangerous, if it continues over a long period of time. Occasional insomnia may be caused by several things, some of the common causes are: too much caffeine, too close to desired bed time. Drinking coffee or tea or soda or eating too much chocolate are examples of foods and beverages which are high in caffeine. Avoid intake of caffeine for 4 to 6 hours prior to desired time for bed.

Another cause of insomnia can be stress. Some examples of stress causing situations and items are financial problems, family relationship problems, worries about family members health problems, or own health problems, worries about career, or job related problems or added projects or presentations. Worries about children or other items of stress that are good things in life, but still add stress in a person's life are planning a wedding, planning for a new baby, a new job or promotion or other items which require added attention to detail which can cause an increase in stress. There are several ways to relieve stress levels in a person's life, one is to talk to someone about the things that are causing the added stress. Another way to alleviate stress is to exercise during the day, going to the gym, or jumping rope or going for a walk around the block, exercise reduces stress. Exercise too close to bed time may actually cause insomnia because of increased adrenalin levels and increases in other hormones in the body. Exercise should be done earlier in the day to decrease stress and not interfere with sleep.

Insomnia can be caused by overeating too close to bedtime. Large meals should be avoided for 4 to 6 hours before bed. In addition, there are some foods that can cause insomnia, foods high in sugar and carbohydrates should be avoided prior to bed. Foods high in Triptophan, can be used to induce sleep. Foods which are high in Triptophan, one of the essential amino acids required for good health, help to relax the brain and help with being able to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some foods which are high in Triptophan include: turkey, lettuce, warm milk, oats, bananas, mangoes, cottage cheese, yogurt, red meat, poultry, and peanuts for example. There are many other foods which are high in Triptophan. Over eating should be avoided at bedtime, this can cause heartburn and indigestion and these contribute to insomnia, as well.

Drinking alcohol too close to bedtime can cause insomnia too, so having a 'night cap' can actually cause insomnia instead of helping a person sleep. Alcohol causes an increase in the sugar levels in the body and cause insomnia and sleep disturbances, as well. Avoid alcohol for 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. These are only a few of the causes of insomnia, a doctor can help to figure out what is causing insomnia in someone, and if it becomes detrimental to a person, the doctor can prescribe certain medications to help with occasional insomnia. Always follow doctors orders for any medications and never take more medication than is prescribed or more often than directed, without consulting a physician. Never take medication which is prescribed to another person.