Chronic insomnia is a recurring sleep problem that persists for a long period of time. Chronic insomnia can be caused by any number of things, including pain, stress and other forms of distress.
Everyone has times when they have trouble sleeping however these bouts are usually not long lasting. Chronic insomnia is defined as having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep for extended periods of time - typically over a month. Chronic insomnia can be a nuisance and can also be the root of many physical and mental difficulties. It can make you tired and cranky during the day and cause you to function below your peak. You may have trouble concentrating and staying focused on things.
There may be many causes for chronic insomnia. It can be caused by medications that you are taking, by certain foods you are eating or may even be caused by stress. Hormones can cause insomnia and many women experience chronic insomnia when they are pregnant or when they are going through menopause. Chronic insomnia can also be a symptom of some diseases.
The first thing to do if you are experiencing chronic insomnia is to see your doctor. He can give you a physical and rule out any diseases that can be causing your chronic insomnia. If the chronic insomnia is causing you great difficulty the doctor may prescribe sleeping pills to help you get some much-needed rest. Keep in mind that using sleeping pills should only be considered as a short-term fix. In the meantime you need to learn the cause of your chronic insomnia.
There are also some natural cures for chronic insomnia that you can try at home. Keep a sleep diary so that you can determine what seems to work the best for you. Start by keeping regular hours. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning. Don't eat or drink anything for at least 3 hours before bed. Don't drink any caffeinated beverages past six o'clock. Try taking a warm bath before bed and drink a cup of herbal tea in the evening to help you become sleepy.
