Types of Insomnia

Insomnia is a disorder that involves difficulty falling or staying asleep. If you suffer from insomnia, your inability get enough sleep may be more than just a passing inconvenience. An ongoing sleep deficit can cause memory loss, irritability, and serious health problems.

Whether your insomnia is due to stress, medications, or sleep apnea, a Las Vegas sleep specialist can help you determine the best ways to manage your symptoms and get the rest you need.

Primary Insomnia

Primary insomnia is an independent disorder. This means that it does not occur as a result of substance use or any health problem a person may be experiencing.

There are several possible causes of primary insomnia, including changes in physical activity levels, stress, changes of environment, shifts in work schedules, and failure to maintain a regular sleep routine.

In general, primary insomnia is also classified as acute insomnia, meaning that it only lasts for a short period of time. However, primary insomnia may become chronic without treatment.

Secondary Insomnia

Secondary insomnia occurs as a result of a health condition or environmental factor. Some of the health conditions that are known to cause secondary insomnia include sleep apnea, heartburn, asthma, depression, and arthritis.

Other health conditions associated with insomnia include cancer, lung disease, and chronic pain.

Certain medications and substances, including alcohol and caffeine, can also lead to secondary insomnia.

Secondary insomnia that is linked to a medical condition is often chronic and may continue to affect a person’s sleep patterns for several months or years.

Acute

Insomnia can also be divided into categories based on the length of its presence in a patient and the frequency with which it affects him or her.

“Acute insomnia” describes insomnia that has shown itself quickly and dramatically following a stressful or life-changing event such as the death of a loved one or a divorce. It can also be the immediate response to new medication or an environmental change.

Chronic

Unlike acute insomnia, chronic insomnia affects a person for an extended period of time. Typically, the cause of this long-term sleep disorder is chronic stress, anxiety, or depression, or a physical problem such as body pain.

If you think you may be suffering from a form of insomnia, do not hesitate to seek medical treatment. Zeeba Sleep Center in Las Vegas is an American Academy of Sleep Medicine-accredited facility.

To learn about our sleep studies and treatment services, visit our website or call us today at (702) 242-1562.