Why Can't I Sleep

A woman having difficulty sleeping

If you often find yourself wondering, "Why can't I go to sleep". There are a number of reasons why a person might have  trouble sleeping. From stress to anxiety and even depression, not getting a  good night's sleep  can have multiple causes and can even lead to severe emotional and physical consequences, which might have you googling "how to cure insomnia." Keeping that in mind, here, we are going to take a look at two of the most common causes of sleepless nights; sleep apnea and insomnia. 

We will also take a closer look at what causes these conditions and  how to cure insomnia, along with a tried and trusted  sleep apnea remedy. 

What Causes Insomnia? 

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder that impacts the lives of 35% of adults in the United States. The symptoms of insomnia mainly include having problems either getting or staying asleep. Severe conditions of insomnia could lead to daytime sleepiness and a higher risk of accidents, especially for those who drive vehicles, along with other health conditions. Some of the most common reasons for insomnia include stress and anxiety, pain, neurological problems, and some medications. 

It is important to note that not all insomnia is the same when looking for ways on  how to cure insomnia. When it comes to insomnia, now everyone experiences it the same way. Short-term insomnia can occur for brief periods of time, while chronic insomnia can last for months. Additionally, some people might experience trouble falling asleep, which is known as sleep onset, while others tend to struggle with staying asleep, or sleep maintenance. 

It is important to identify the type of insomnia you are experiencing before looking on the internet and searching "how to cure insomnia?" 

Common Causes of Insomnia

Some of the most common causes of insomnia include high levels of stress, whether it's at the workplace or in one's personal life. Exposure to traumatic experiences could also lead to chronic stress, which consequently leads to insomnia. 

Having an irregular sleeping schedule at night can also disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm, resulting in insomnia. Shift work and jet lag are two great examples of how the circadian rhythm of the body can get disrupted. The circadian rhythm of the body can get shifted forwards or backward, depending on the activity one indulges in, and should also be discussed when working out  how to cure insomnia. 

What is Sleep Apnea? 

Sleep apnea is another potentially serious  sleep issue, where a person could find it difficult to sleep due to problems with their breathing which can prevent you from having a  good sleep heart rate. Those people who snore loudly during the night and feel tired during the day even after a full night's sleep probably have sleep apnea. 

There are three types of sleep apnea that need to be considered when looking for a sleep apnea remedy. The different types of sleep apnea include: 

  1. Obstructive sleep apnea
  2. Mixed sleep apnea 
  3. Central sleep apnea 

  • The first of the various kinds of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is a condition where the airways that are located at the back of the throat get blocked, which results in a temporary lapse in breathing. 
  • Central sleep apnea mainly occurs when the brain's system that controls the muscles for respiration fails to perform properly. This results in shallow breathing.
  • Mixed sleep apnea is the condition where the person experiences both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea simultaneously. This is considered to be the most complex type of sleep apnea. 

Since the underlying causes of these types of sleep apnea are distinct, it is crucial to keep them in mind when looking for a sleep apnea remedy. 

Difference between Sleep Apnea and Insomnia

You may simply think of both as not being able to sleep, and while both of these conditions lead to the same results, as in an inability to get proper sleep, there is a distinct difference between sleep apnea and insomnia. The main difference is that sleep apnea is due to disrupted breathing. At the same time, insomnia is the inability to fall or remain asleep. 

Insomnia Treatment Options

When you're thinking of  how to cure insomnia, one of the basic remedies that come to mind, according to behavioral therapists, is that the person should improve their sleeping environment along with adopting healthy sleeping habits. 

One suggestion is to get off the bed when you feel that you cannot fall asleep rather than tossing and turning in bed. 

In the case of secondary insomnia, it is best to address the underlying cause. That being said, when it comes to curing insomnia and dealing with  trouble sleeping, two of the best ways of addressing the issue are by practicing relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and very high-quality  natural sleep aids help as well. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

There are two main types of sleep apnea, but some of the underlying conditions are almost always high blood pressure, obesity, consuming too much alcohol, deviated septums, and of course, smoking, amongst others. 

While sleep apnea may seem like a life-threatening condition, there are some things that you can do to devise an ideal  sleep apnea remedy, such as using a specialized mouthguard or a CPAP machine, which is also an effective way to fall asleep for those who have sleep apnea. However, it should be noted that this is the noisiest option out of the two. 

On the flip side, using a mouth guard could result in mouth injuries or can also lead to pain. Other treatment options for sleep apnea include positional therapy and undertaking a weight management program by consulting with a nutritionist. There are also over-the-counter medications that can be taken for those who are suffering from insomnia or sleep apnea which are also effective, albeit these over-the-counter medications also come with their share of side effects, which should also be considered. 

Drifting Away

If you are like the millions of people in the United States who  can't sleep and have the same complaint of sleep apnea or insomnia, which is keeping you from having a  good night's sleep, then it's time you did something about it so you can learn  how better sleep. By using a good sleep apnea remedy and figuring out  how to cure insomnia, you can start getting a  good night's sleep, improving your health and well-being.  

 

Less Serious Sleep Issues

For those that are dealing with problems sleeping that are not serious enough to require professional help. We have a wide variety of products that can help with sleep relaxation or deeper sleep and if you're not exactly sure what you need, take our chronotype quiz that will help you discover your chronotype, your sleep issues and allow us to create a personalized sleep kit just for you.

 

Ending Note

If you are having difficulty with sleeping, you are not alone. There are many folks out there who want to know what the most effective natural sleep aid is to get them back to snoozing again. Fix My Sleep is a great resource for all those who have trouble sleeping and are looking for innovative tips and sleep products  to help them get a good night’s sleep.

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