What causes insomnia? Is there a cure? Also, anything I can do to help myself, aside from taking sleep aides?

Insomnia may be independent of other healthcare problems. However, it also may be a symptom of another problem, much like a fever or a stomachache. It can be caused by a number of factors. Psychological Factors Vulnerability to insomnia Some people seem more likely than others to experience insomnia, just as some people tend to get headaches or upset stomachs. Simply knowing that you may experience insomnia and that it will not last too long can be helpful in dealing with it when it occurs. Persistent stress Exposure to stress may contribute to the development or worsening of insomnia. Relationship problems, a chronically ill child, or an unrewarding career may contribute to sleep problems. If you suffer from these types of stresses, you should seek counseling to gain a new outlook on your troubles and more control in your life. Learned insomnia (also known as psychophysiological insomnia) If you sleep poorly, you may worry about not being able to function well during the day. You may try harder to sleep at night, but unfortunately this determined effort can make you more alert, set off a new round of worried thoughts, and cause more sleep loss. Doing activities in and around the bedroom-changing into your night clothes, turning off the lights, pulling up the blankets- can become linked with the sleep problems that follow. Through repetition these bedtime activities can then trigger over-arousal and insomnia. Some individuals with learned insomnia have trouble sleeping in their own beds yet may fall asleep quickly when they don't intend to-while reading the newspaper, sleeping away from home, or watching TV. Just a few nights of poor sleep during a month can be enough to produce a cycle of poor sleep and increase your worry about it. Treatment for learned insomnia aims to improve sleep habits and reduce unnecessary worry. Top of Page Lifestyle Factors Use of stimulants Caffeine near bedtime, even when it doesn't interfere with you falling asleep, can trigger awakenings later in the night. Nicotine is also a stimulant, and smokers may take longer to fall asleep than non-smokers. Be aware that the ingredients in many common drugs, including nonprescription drugs for weight loss, asthma, and colds, can disrupt your sleep. Use of alcohol You may think that having a glass of wine will help you sleep. However, while it may help you fall asleep quickly, alcohol consumption is likely to produce interrupted sleep. Erratic hours If you do shift work (work non-traditional hours, such as nights or rotating shifts), or maintain later hours on weekends than during the week, you are more likely to experience sleep problems. Maintaining regular hours can help program your body to sleep at certain times and to stay awake at others. Establishing a routine is important. Inactive behavior People whose lifestyles are very quiet or restricted may experience difficulty sleeping at night. Top of Page Environmental Factors Noise Traffic, airplanes, television, and other noises can disturb your sleep even when they don't cause you to wake up. Light These factors should be considered if you find yourself feeling tired, even when you think you slept soundly all night. These factors should be considered if you find yourself feeling tired, even though you think you slept soundly all night. Top of Page Psychiatric/Physical Illness Other sleep disorders and physical illnesses may occur during sleep, disrupt sleep, and produce symptoms that can easily be mistaken for insomnia. These other disorders require medical attention and common treatments for insomnia will not help them. Secondary Insomnia When insomnia is caused by a psychiatric disorder (most often depression) or a medical disorder (most often chronic pain), it is termed secondary insomnia. Secondary insomnia may be relieved by successful treatment of the primary psychiatric/medical disorder. Alternatively, behavioral methods (link) target the sleep disturbance itself and may quite beneficial. Psychiatric problems Insomnia, especially with awakenings earlier than desired, is one of the most frequently reported symptoms of depression. Insomnia is also associated with anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions. If you suffer from a psychiatric disorder, you may sleep poorly. Treatment of the underlying disorder, often including both medication and psychotherapy, can help improve your sleep. However, additional and specific treatment for the insomnia often is warranted. Medical problems Medical illnesses can disrupt sleep and produce symptoms of insomnia. For example, arthritis, headache disorders, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and other conditions can cause or worsen the problem of insomnia. Such medical problems usually require the attention of a physician who can diagnose and treat the underlying condition. Treatment o

Don't eat min 4 hours before you go to sleep. Exercise.

Insomnia is caused by stress, pain, depression, and anxiety. It is very hard to get rid of insomnia, it is like an internal clock, where you can not sleep. You have to find out your problem, and either fix it, get medical help, or see a psychiatric This comes from an already suffering insomnia patient. I have insomnia too.

Fell looking at screens during nighttime can mess up your brains ability to tell night from day so it doesn't know when to let you sleep.

After you eat dinner go for a long walk or run.. Im not sure what causes insomnia but exercising might help. Good luck.

If you are having trouble sleeping, it may be insomnia, and the good news is – it can be treated. We all have episodes where our sleep is less than perfect. Insomnia, involves sleep problems including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia should not be confused with sleep deprivation. You can develop sleep deprivation if you're not getting enough sleep, due to a lack of opportunity to sleep. If you have insomnia or think you might, you can take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. According to a national survey, 54% of adults said they have experienced at least one symptom of insomnia at least a few times a week. While insomnia is a nighttime problem, it may cause daytime issues as well. People with insomnia often complain about: Fatigue and daytime sleepiness Moodiness Irritability or anger Lack of concentration and poor memory Upset stomach Mistakes/accidents at work or while driving Insomnia may be associated with depression, poor health, and even having accidents. But fortunately, insomnia is a very treatable problem. That's why it's important to talk with your doctor if think you may have insomnia. How to Sleep Better Send to a Friend Sleep is a vital part of life. In fact, a lack of sleep can have severe consequences. It is essential to understand the importance of sleep. There is no need to suffer with sleep problems. If you have insomnia or another sleep disorder, you have a variety of options for seeking help, learning how to sleep better, and finding relief. The first and most important thing to do is to see your doctor. Only your doctor can decide what treatment option is best for you. Prepare for your next visit with some questions to ask your doctor. You may also want to take the Sleep Profile Quiz and start a sleep diary. These can be valuable resources to help you understand your sleep issues and can be very helpful when it comes time to share your symptoms and sleep experiences with your doctor. Meanwhile, you can get some helpful sleep tips and perhaps experience some immediate relief by trying some relaxation exercises to help you sleep better.

never eat 4-6 hours before you go to bed, never sleep with the window open, if you can see street lights or hear traffic, http://www.womentowomen.com/understandyourbody/symptoms/insomnia-a.aspx?id=1&campaignno=insomnia&adgroup=ag6relief&keywords=insomnia+help http://www.ambiencr.com/what-is-insomnia/what-is-insomnia.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=insomnia&utm_content=AMC1925&utm_campaign=baseline1&WT.mc_id=AMC1925&WT.srch=1&SourceCode=AMC1925 http://www.health.com/health/condition-section/0,,20187905,00.html http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/110.html

Yes there are cures. This has become such a common problem for many of us that they have specialists in the field of sleep. You can ask your doctor where the closest Sleep Study Center is near you and does s/he think referral would be helpful for you. Usually the specialists are Neurologists. They can figure out the cause for the insomnia and what can be done about it. Having young children can be a cause in itself. Mom's always have an ear out for the kids and don't sleep as soundly as they did before children. That being said, your ability to function well and stay healthy is dependent on how well you sleep. It is a serious issue and one that should be evaluated. Good luck to you.

If you haven't had insomnia your whole life it's usaullly caused by stress. There's really not much you can do but starting to go to bed earlier helps some people...