Sudden Insomnia: Causes and Solutions

Everyone knows from childhood that good sleep is important for health. Parents told everyone that it is necessary to go to bed on time so that we grow in sleep. This is certainly an important, but not the only, advantage of a night’s rest. Sleep also produces substances and hormones necessary for the body.

A typical situation: you get up early in the morning feeling fatigued and brokenness. You dream of going to bed on time all day at work and getting a good night’s sleep. Here is the long-awaited evening. Instead, you can not relax. You spend hours tossing, turning, counting sheep, and trying to fall asleep. As a result, only in the morning do you forget for a couple of hours of restless sleep. And again, you get up with the feeling that you did not even lie down – everything repeats in a circle.

If this condition repeats systematically, it seems that you have insomnia. Read our article below to learn all about sudden insomnia onset.

Sudden Insomnia Onset

Sudden insomnia onset refers to the abrupt and unexpected inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. It is in contrast to the usual sleep patterns of an individual. This condition can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle and lead to sleepless nights. It makes them tired, irritable, and mentally strained during the day. Sudden insomnia onset can occur due to various factors, including:

• stress;
• anxiety;
• medical conditions;
• lifestyle changes, or even certain medications. 

Identifying the underlying cause of this sudden disruption in sleep patterns is essential.

Insomnia has a very strong impact on well-being, work productivity, and mood. The consequences of sleep problems can be:

• Stress. The stress hormone cortisol increases with sleep deprivation. Because of this, a person becomes irritable and nervous.
• Appearance. Lack of sleep has a detrimental effect on the condition and color of the skin. Do not contribute to the attractiveness of reddened, puffy eyes.
• Being overweight is not just that: “did not go to bed on time to eat junk food.” After a sleepless night, the body somehow tries to restore strength, requiring more caloric food. Overeating is a faithful companion to a bout of insomnia. In addition, some hormones are not produced if you do not sleep, which greatly affects metabolism.
• Brain disorders – lack of sleep prevents you from thinking, concentrating, and solving even the simplest tasks.
• Aging – sleep is necessary for cell regeneration repair processes. If this does not happen, the body systems wear out much faster.

Insomnia also markedly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. It disrupts the process of bone formation and information processing. On such an unfavorable background, they can develop a variety of diseases.

What Causes Sudden Insomnia?

Insomnia can have a variety of causes, but they all fall into two main groups: physiological and psychological. However, there are other causes, like environmental. Sometimes, insomnia lasts for several days and disappears spontaneously. This may indicate the effect of temporary factors, such as severe stress or a time zone change. Sleep disturbance can also cause uncomfortable conditions for rest: 

• unpleasant odors;
• too high or low temperature in the room;
• light, extraneous noises, and unfamiliar surroundings. 

The causes of sleep disorders are numerous. Insomnia can happen because of:

• physical or mental illness;
• poor sleep hygiene;
• nervous tension;
• fluctuations in hormone levels;
• frequent flights with a change of time zones or night work schedule, and the use of alcohol;
• psychostimulants, and some drugs. 

So you can read further to discover possible reasons for sudden insomnia onset.

Psychological factors

If there are no pathologies, but insomnia is present, the causes may be psychological. For example, strong excitement, nervous tension, and stress can deprive sleep for a long time or make it intermittent. Neuroses, anxiety states, and depression also do not give normal sleep. 

Problems with sleep appear in people who have long and hard to solve an important task. Here, the inertia mechanism becomes triggered, and the brain can not relax for long. Sometimes, sleep problems are the result of hereditary predisposition.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors can play a significant role in causing sudden insomnia. These factors encompass various external conditions and influences in a person’s surroundings. They can negatively impact their ability to fall or stay asleep. Some common environmental factors that can contribute to a bout of insomnia include:

• Loud noises from traffic, construction, neighbors, or other sources can disturb sleep. They make it challenging to fall or stay asleep.
• Excessive light from streetlights or devices can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm. They inhibit melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep.
• Uncomfortable temperatures in the sleeping environment can lead to restlessness.  High humidity levels make it difficult to maintain sleep.

Physiological factors

Medical problems often affect insomnia. These include various medical conditions such as:

• angina pectoris and bronchial asthma with coughing;
• breathing problems;
• Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. 

The group of other physiologic causes for sudden insomnia onset includes:

• Diseases accompanied by pain sensations. As a rule, pain increases at night, so a person can not sleep or constantly wakes up.
• Disorders in the thyroid gland – there is even a special term, “hormonal insomnia”. It develops against the background of a failure in the production of hormones.
• Menopause in women is another manifestation of imbalance plus fever, sweating, and palpitations.
• Diabetes mellitus is a decrease in blood sugar concentration that triggers a defense mechanism. A person wakes up with a feeling of a strong sense of hunger. There is profuse sweating.
• Apnea is stopping breathing in sleep. Breathing stops, and the person wakes up and can not fall asleep for a long time. Such a condition can be life-threatening.

Another physiological cause of a bout of insomnia is restless legs syndrome, which often develops in pregnancy. Iron deficiency in the body and kidney failure lead to these problems also.

How Long Does Insomnia Last?

The duration of insomnia can vary significantly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including:

• its underlying causes;
• the effectiveness of the chosen treatments or interventions.

Insomnia can be classified into two main categories: short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic).

Short-term insomnia typically lasts for a few nights to a few weeks. Specific events or stressors, such as work-related pressure or a traumatic incident, often trigger it. Temporary changes in sleep patterns can also be a reason. It tends to resolve independently as the triggering factors are addressed or as the body naturally adjusts.

Sudden insomnia onset, on the other hand, persists for at least three nights a week for three months or longer. It can be caused by various factors, including:

• medical conditions;
• psychological issues;
• lifestyle habits. 

Chronic insomnia often requires more comprehensive treatment approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) works very well. Medications address the underlying causes and improve sleep patterns.

Solutions for a Bout of Insomnia

The first step to getting rid of sleep disorders is to create a comfortable sleeping environment. You need to find a solution to psychological problems. Remember to restore health (correcting and treating the underlying disease), but this may not be enough.

You should look closer at your habits, as sometimes “fighting insomnia” exacerbates your sleep problems. A few simple changes in your lifestyle and daily habits can help you get rid of your sleep problems. Here are some tips to help you eliminate a bout of insomnia:

• set a regular bedtime: it will help you to adjust your biological clock;
• create all conditions for a comfortable rest: make your bed with clean bedding, air the room, if necessary, put an aroma lamp;
• take a warm shower before going to bed;
• do not eat “heavy food” 2 hours before bedtime, but also very hungry, do not go to bed;
• before going to bed, drink a glass of warm milk with honey or soothing tea, and the use of coffee, alcohol, and smoking should be excluded;
• make sure that the bedroom is designed only for sleeping – a place quiet, dark and cool, conducive to healthy rest. Do not use it TV, computer and do not work;
• do not engage in activities that can overexcite the nervous system.

It was just a general overview, and you can read more further tips to get rid of sudden insomnia onset.

Medical treatments

Medical treatments for a bout of insomnia include prescription medications, such as:

• sedative-hypnotics;
• over-the-counter sleep aids. 

These options can provide short-term relief but may have side effects and the risk of dependency. Consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable and safe medical treatment.

Natural remedies

Natural remedies for insomnia include:

• maintaining a consistent sleep schedule;
• reducing caffeine intake;
• practicing relaxation techniques;
• using herbal supplements like valerian root;
• limiting screen time before bed. 

These drug-free approaches can help improve sleep quality and are effective for mild or occasional insomnia.

Routine changes

It involves establishing a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. Avoiding naps, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, and limiting stimulating activities before bedtime can help regulate the body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and combat a bout of insomnia.

Conclusion

You should take sleep disorders seriously because they can indicate certain disorders in the body. Timely referral to a doctor can identify the cause of insomnia and cope with it, and thus allow yourself to have a normal night’s rest, recovery, and well-being during the day. So do not hesitate to contact Lone Star Neurology!

FAQ

What is sudden insomnia, and how does it differ from chronic insomnia?

Sudden insomnia is an abrupt and unexpected difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep, often linked to a specific trigger. Chronic insomnia persists over an extended period, typically for at least three months.

Can stress or diet cause a sudden onset of insomnia?

Yes, stress and certain dietary factors, such as caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime, can contribute to the sudden onset of insomnia.

How long does a typical bout of insomnia last, and when should I see a doctor?

A typical bout of insomnia may last from a few nights to a few weeks. If it persists longer or significantly affects daily life, consult a doctor.

What is the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in treating chronic sleep problems?

CBT-I is a highly effective non-drug therapy that targets chronic insomnia’s underlying causes and behaviors. It helps individuals develop healthier sleep habits and address psychological factors contributing to sleep issues.