There are a number of common insomnia causes which we will look at in more depth. The causes that are discussed below are all related to chronic or long-term insomnia issues.

Psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and acute stress probably make up the largest group of insomnia causes. People with any of these problems will often find insomnia to be a part of the symptoms of the above listed problems. Also, issues including schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may cause insomnia for some people.

The other large causes of insomnia are physical problems. These could include problems like sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, congestive heart failure, acid reflux, COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or nocturnal asthma. These problems make it actually physically difficult for a person to fall asleep and/or stay asleep and get good rest.

Along with some of the above listed insomnia causes, there are also some groups of people who might be at a higher risk for insomnia. These groups include seniors, travellers, adolescents or young students, pregnant women, and menopausal women. In addition, there are certain substances that people take that may also cause shorter term insomnia – the cessation of using these substances, at least near bedtime, should stop or ease the problem of insomnia. Some examples of these substances could include the following: alcohol or stimulants associated with caffeine or nicotine.

Also, medications for the following purposes may cause insomnia: some cold and asthma products, high blood pressure medicines, and some medications for depression, anxiety, and/or schizophrenia.

All in all, as you can see from the above lists, there are a variety of insomnia causes. Some can be avoided through avoiding activities or substances, while others may need treatment of the underlying problem in order to be able to also cure the insomnia.


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