Sudden insomnia: What you need to know
Sudden insomnia can be a type of acute insomnia. It means that insomnia occurs quickly and lasts only a short period.
Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good sleep. Lack of sleep can affect a person’s daily life.
Sudden insomnia is a common problem. According to a 2020 research Trusted Source, nearly a third (33%) of the population experiences acute or new insomnia yearly. Some cases of sudden insomnia can last long and even lead to chronic insomnia.
There is no single cause of insomnia. Environment, genetics, and health factors, as well as stress, lifestyle, and other factors, may all play a part.
Learn more about sudden insomnia, its symptoms, and its causes. Also, when to seek medical help.
Signs & symptoms
Sudden insomnia is a phrase that means a trusted source when symptoms of insomnia occur suddenly rather than gradually. It’s often acute or brief. Short-term insomnia can last from a few weeks to ten days.
Sudden insomnia is not a medical diagnosis but a symptom. There are many causes of sudden insomnia. Some require medical attention, while others, such as poor sleeping habits, may respond well to lifestyle changes.
Some of the common symptoms and signs of sudden insomnia include
- Having difficulty falling asleep
- Frequent night waking
- After waking, difficulty returning to sleep
- extreme daytime tiredness
- Changes in sleep patterns, such as more nightmares or not dreaming at all
Sleep apnea, for example, can cause insomnia.
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Causes for sudden insomnia
Sudden insomnia does not always mean that it is caused by sudden insomnia. Both chronic and sudden insomnia share similar causes.
Research Trusted Source usually finds that insomnia is caused by hyperarousal. The brain and body will be more active than usual. Many different factors can cause this phenomenon.
People who have insomnia are more likely to:
- Cortisol levels are higher at night.
- Higher levels of glucose or blood sugar
- Higher nighttime body temperature
Some of the most common causes are:
Hormonal changes
The body’s chemical messengers are hormones. Changes in hormone levels can cause sleep problems. These may result from everyday life events like pregnancy or menopause.
Hyperthyroidism, for example, may cause a person to be vigilant and awake. Anxiety can cause a person to feel restless and sleepless.
Lifestyle Factors
A variety of lifestyle factors can cause insomnia. When a person changes their lifestyle, insomnia can appear suddenly. Even if a person’s lifestyle has been unhealthy for years, it can still happen suddenly or gradually.
Some lifestyle factors include trusted Source:
- Drinking too much caffeine before bed is a bad idea.
- Too much alcohol consumption
- Exercise before bed
- Watching TV or using a mobile phone while in bed
- Think about or do stressful things before going to bed.
- an irregular sleep schedule
- Shift work can disrupt a person’s circadian rhythm.
Sleep Environment
Sleeping in a particular environment can be difficult.
A loud noise, a bed that’s uncomfortable, a room too warm, or a change in sleeping environment can all contribute to sleep problems. A sudden shift in a person’s sleeping environment may also trigger sudden insomniaTrusted Source.
Sleep disorders
Many sleep disorders cause insomnia. Sometimes it can happen suddenly. Some examples include trusted Sources:
- Sleep Apnea can cause breathing problems to wake a person repeatedly.
- Restless leg syndrome can cause people to move their legs repeatedly to relieve painful and unusual sensations.
- Circadian rhythm disorders disrupt the normal sleep-wake cycle of the body.
Mental Health
Anxiety by Trusted Source A short-term stressor, such as moving or losing a job, can cause insomnia. Sleep problems can also be caused by mental issues such as depression.
Physical Conditions
Sleeping can be uncomfortable or painful for several health conditions. Insomnia can be caused by chronic pain, headache, or broken bones.
Sudden insomnia during early pregnancy
Insomnia and sleep problems are common during pregnancy.
A meta-analysis from 2021 (Trusted Source) reports that the prevalence of insomnia in pregnancy is 38.2%. However, other sources indicate a much higher figure.
According to an older paperTrusted Source from 2015, between 66% and 94% of pregnant women report sleeping difficulties during pregnancy.
One of the reasons for sudden insomnia during early pregnancy is that several trusted source factors, such as trusted sources, can cause it.
- Morning sickness can cause nausea and vomiting.
- Progesterone increases, causing symptoms like sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and the cycle of excessive naps and frequent nighttime awakenings.
- back pain
- Urination is more frequent.
All new symptoms of pregnancy should be discussed with a health professional.
Treatment
Treatment of sudden insomnia depends on the underlying cause, such as hyperthyroidism.
The Source may include treatment for insomnia that needs to be explained.
- Sleep Hygiene: Adopting strategies to make sleep easier means sleeping hygiene. It is essential to use the bed solely for sleeping or having sex. You should also avoid watching TV in bed or using your phone.
- Consistent sleep habits:Â Going back to sleep and waking up simultaneously each day can be helpful, no matter how much sleep someone gets. When someone cannot fall asleep, they should get out of bed and do other things.
- Sleep restriction reduces or eliminates the time spent sleeping during the day and reduces total sleep. It can make a person more tired and easier to fall asleep.
- Psychology:Â Therapy can help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (Â CBTI) and other insomnia treatments may help calm racing thoughts and encourage healthier sleeping habits.
Sleep medications are not intended for long-term use. It is essential to use other treatments while using sleeping pills.
Complications
Insomnia is not a disease that progresses. It can, however, cause serious problems, including:
- Daytime sleepiness increases the risk of auto accidents and injuries
- Intense fatigue can lead to depression, stress, or difficulty concentrating
- Chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating can cause problems at work or in relationships.
New research suggests that insomnia could also be a factor in other diseases.
A 2019 study investigating cardiovascular disease incidence in half a million Chinese adults found insomnia a risk factor. It is not clear whether insomnia or deprivation of sleep leads to cardiovascular disease or if they share similar disease pathways or risk factors.
When should you see a doctor?
Consult a physician if you:
- Other symptoms, such as pain, difficulty breathing, or sleeplessness, may accompany insomnia.
- A person’s insomnia worsens or doesn’t improve after home treatment.
- Sleep aids are the only way to help a person sleep.
- Mental health problems such as Anxiety and Depression are common.
Summary
It can be frustrating to experience sudden insomnia. Someone may lie awake for hours at night, unable to fall asleep, and then feel tired the following day. Sudden insomnia can be a sign, not a disease. It could indicate various problems, from serious health issues to temporary lifestyle difficulties.
Insomnia can also affect relationships, well-being, work, and more.
It is treatable. If self-care does not help people with insomnia, they should seek additional support from a medical professional.