Insomnia affects more than 30% of the population. What is insomnia? What are the causes of this disorder? Its consequences ? Here are 10 questions you have about insomnia.

Summary
What is insomnia?
Is waking up always tired, despite long nights of sleep, a sign of insomnia?
What are the causes of insomnia?
What are the consequences of insomnia?
Insomnia: when to consult?
Do we have to take sleeping pills to get treatment?
Can we become addicted to sleeping pills?
Can bedding affect my sleep?
Are there any tips for falling asleep at night?
What are the good habits to take on a daily basis to avoid insomnia?


What is insomnia?
We talk about insomnia either when we have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime (initial insomnia), or when we make frequent or prolonged night awakenings , or finally when we wake up prematurely on morning with an inability to regain sleep. A person may suffer from a mixture of these symptoms, or may change symptoms over time.

Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, or spending more than 30 minutes awake in the middle of the night, with less than 6.30 hours of sleep a night is a problem with insomnia. If you sleep 6 or 7 hours a night and feel rested the next day, you have no insomnia. If you have trouble staying asleep or falling asleep at least three times a week, you probably have insomnia.

Is waking up always tired, despite long nights of sleep, a sign of insomnia?
A priori, it is difficult to suffer from insomnia without realizing it! However, it can be a problem of sleep apnea . These are stops in breathing for several tens of seconds, recurring several times a night. This disorder occurs mainly around the age of 40. It can be linked to being overweight. These sleep apneas sometimes wake the sleeper several times a night and are thus responsible for one in ten cases of insomnia . Consult your doctor. He will refer you to a sleep exploration center to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the causes of insomnia?
The causes of insomnia can be many: poor lifestyle , lack of physical activity, stress, anxiety, taking certain medications, depression, chronic illness, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, too noisy environment, spouse (e) snorer, use of screens before bedtime , meal too rich in the evening, etc.

What are the consequences of insomnia?
Fatigue, headaches, muscle tension ... lack of sleep has many health consequences . Mood also suffers from the lack of rest: irritability, aggressiveness, susceptibility ... The consequences on attention, especially at work are not negligible either: loss of efficiency, lack of rigor, difficulty concentrating. ..

Insomnia: when to consult?
If your sleep disturbances persist despite changes in your lifestyle and / or you still feel exhausted and your vigilance is diminished on a daily basis, it is essential to consult your general practitioner who will refer you to a specialist if necessary.

Do we have to take sleeping pills to get treatment?
If we have long criticized sleeping pills for many side effects (drowsiness during the day, addiction ...) the latest babies have reduced these inconveniences. In all cases, they must be taken under medical supervision. Absolutely avoid self-medication!

But sleeping pills are not always essential. It all depends on the sleep disorder and its severity. A return to a healthy lifestyle is essential: avoid tobacco, alcohol or overly large meals. Practice physical activity. Behavioral therapy is sometimes effective, for example, to overcome your anxiety.

Can we become addicted to sleeping pills?
The hypnotics (drugs against insomnia) are not trivial and have more or less significant side effects. The older ones can lead to dependence with a withdrawal phenomenon when treatment is stopped. Today, new generation hypnotics are available. These do not cause dependence and do not modify the architecture of sleep . But in all cases, the use of sleeping pills imperatively requires strict medical control. They must be used for a short period and the treatment must be stopped gradually. So do not hesitate to consult your doctor in case of sleep disorders and especially no self-medication!

Can bedding affect my sleep?
In quality bedding , the movements are less important and therefore the risk of waking up is lower. The comfort induced by a good mattress allows calm and restful nights . Quality sleep is essential for feeling fit all day. So don't hesitate to change your bedding and ask the professionals for advice.