You’ve probably heard the term “insomnia” thrown around here and there. But there’s more to it than the inability to sleep at night. Insomnia is a serious sleep disorder that can negatively affect one’s brain chemistry. Some studies also point to the fact that insomnia is genetic — Well, at least in some cases. To learn more about insomnia and how to treat it, keep reading this blog.
What Is Insomnia?
People often categorize insomnia in the same box as lack of sleep. However, that doesn’t cover half of what this disorder entails. Insomnia is a much more nuanced yet common sleep disorder. It affects the quality of your sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep. Moreover, chronic insomnia makes it hard to keep sleeping. This leads to disturbed sleep, with frequent wake-ups during the night.
Is Insomnia Genetic?
There have been numerous studies based on this subject, and according to the results, insomnia is 22% to 59% genetic in adults. That is to say, if your parents or ancestors had insomnia, it makes you all the more likely to suffer from it.
Studies have also shown that certain genetic variations may increase the risk of you developing insomnia. However, due to the complexity of genes and heritability factors, genetics is not the sole cause. Environmental aspects, such as stress, diet, and underlying health conditions, also play a major role in the development of insomnia.
This means that your genetic buildup cannot magically produce insomnia out of the blue. There need to be symptoms present beforehand for insomnia to take root.
Common Causes
Besides your genes, there are numerous triggers that can set off the progression of insomnia, which include:
- Gender
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Anxiety
- High-Stress Levels
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Consuming Too Much Caffeine
- Drug Intake
- Environmental Factors
- Underlying Health Condition
Can Genetic Insomnia Be Cured?
As debilitating as it is, genetic insomnia can be cured. All it takes is a little bit of change and consistency to rewire your body’s clock. For acute insomnia, try switching up your sleeping schedule. Rather than napping during the day, save all your exhaustion for nighttime. ]
In addition to that, the environment you sleep in can also make or break your sleeping pattern. To avoid tossing and turning at night, make sure your sleeping area is clean and comfortable. Use essential oils, a sound machine, a soft mattress, and other accessories to help enhance your sleep quality. However, if you have tried every other trick in the book yet still cannot fall asleep, try contacting a sleep therapist for a session on behavioral sleep therapy.
Improve Your Sleep Cycle Today!
If you think you have genetic insomnia but aren’t sure of how to go about it, contact Nirvana Elite Sleep & Wellness today. Our sleep behavioral health specialists will guide you through the diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan best suited for you.
For more information, you can also reach out to us at 832-952-1199 or visit our clinic at 17146 N Eldridge Pkwy Suite G, Tomball, TX 77377, United States.