Sleep is essential for the basic functioning of the human body. There's nothing more annoying or depressing than being unable to sleep, which is known in the medical community as insomnia. You may wonder if your insomnia is caused by too much time at the Toronto gym or too much stress at work, but it can be hard to tell for sure, especially when you're trying to solve the problem yourself. This article will familiarize you with the basic facts about insomnia.

What qualifies as insomnia? This is something few people know. Having a few bad nights' sleep because of the construction work going on near your Brooklin homes is not really insomnia. Medical insomnia is defined as having trouble falling asleep at night or staying asleep all night, waking up unprovoked when you are still tired. Some people's insomnia comes and goes, but generally at three weeks it is considered a problem you should see your doctor about.

What causes insomnia? There are many habits that can contribute to having trouble sleeping that you may not even be aware of. If you take naps, go to bed at a different time each night, or if the bedroom in your Forest Hill condo is too light and noisy, you might get insomnia. You might also have trouble sleeping if you spend too much time in bed while you're awake, work night shifts, watch TV or use the computer in bed, or fail to get enough exercise to make you tired. Worrying about getting enough sleep can also cause insomnia.

Some medications can also have insomnia as a side effect, so check what you're taking to make sure the painkillers from your eyelid surgery in Toronto aren't causing your sleep troubles. Other substances such as alcohol, recreational drugs, cigarettes, caffeine, cold medications, diet pills, and herbal supplements can also cause sleep problems. If you are not taking medication or any of the above supplements, insomnia may be a symptom of anxiety or bipolar disorder, thyroid disease, pain, or stress.

So what can you do? If your insomnia is chronic, you should visit your doctor for a sleep study and a prescription for sleeping pills or a low dose of antidepressants that can help you sleep. Just be careful - many sleep aids are addictive. If it is simply during a stay at a Niagara Falls hotel that you are having trouble, you can try cutting back on your coffee, doing stress reduction exercises before bed, using heavy curtains and ear plugs, or taking an antihistamine to induce drowsiness. Leaving insomnia untreated is unwise, as daytime sleepiness can lead to reduced alertness and reaction times, reducing your work performance and causing accidents that could leave you or someone else injured.