Home » Common Causes of Sleep Disorders A sleep disorder or somnipathy as it is scientifically known is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of all people and even animals. There are various types of Sleep Disorders, some are serious enough to hinder with normal physical, mental and emotional functioning and some are not. It has been found out that one-third of all adult Americans that is about 50 million people complain about their sleep. The Common Causes of Sleep Disorders are sometimes just too common for people with sleep disorder to recognize at first. Some sleep too little, some fitfully, and some too much, but all these are some of the Common Causes of Sleep Disorders in people. Although one-third of our lives are spent asleep, people still suffer from various Common Sleep Disorders, which sometimes can even turn fatal.

The Common Causes of Sleep Disorders causes more than just sleepiness, a lack of proper rest can cause accidents on the job and on the road; affect a person’s relationships, health, and mental ability; and make one feel generally ‘disconnected’ to the world around them. A variety of agents and physical and mental conditions may contribute to sleep disorders in a human being. Acute sleep problems normally last for less than 3 weeks and slowly get better in time on their own. On the other hand, chronic sleep problems last for more than 3 weeks and naturally require proper treatment.

Some of the Common Causes of Sleep Disorders in acute sleep problems include:

• Stress like job loss, the end of a relationship, moving from one place to another and so on
• Jet lag
• Use of stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol and nicotine
• Noise, light, or intense temperatures that interfere with sleep
• Minor illnesses such as a cold, fever or the flu
• Worries about work, school, finances, or family matters

Some of the Common Causes of Sleep Disorders in chronic sleep problems include:

• Medical conditions such as chronic pain, asthma, head injury, neurological disease, obesity, cancer, arthritis, or heartburn
• Mood disorders, for instance depression and anxiety
• Schedule changes, for example working the nightshift
• Other sleep problems which includes sleep apnea can lead to insomnia
• Genetics, as some sleep disorders may run in the person’s family

All the doctors who treat various kinds of sleep disorders give some basic cause for all the people who have a difficulty falling asleep. It may be due to poor sleep hygiene, conditioned insomnia, medications like various sedatives, decongestants, oral contraceptive use, antidepressants, bronchodilators, drugs which also includes the herbal preparations and over-the-counter ones, alcohol, nicotine, illicit drugs, and caffeine. Trying too hard to sleep is also one of the Common Causes of Sleep Disorders. Trouble falling asleep is the most common form of sleep disturbance a person can face. Sleep can never be forced and one should not go to sleep until he is sleepy. It is best to get out of the bed and read a book, watch TV, or take a warm bath, anything that relaxes one. Smoking just before bedtime also stimulates the nervous system and can interfere with sleep. Avoiding heavy meals, alcohol, and caffeine-containing coffee, tea, and cola is advisable. The best prescription for all those who can tolerate milk is to have a warm glass before going to bed.