Causes:
Transient insomnia may just be temporary. We all experience periods of sleep difficulty due to temporary anxiety, stress, illness, personal loss, or some medications. However, there are a number of other situations that can lead to intermittent and chronic insomnia.
A high stress lifestyle is usually the prime cause of chronic insomnia. Accompanied by constant anxiety over the daily demands of life, a good night's sleep is often seen as a dream for a many people. College/university students often have difficulty sleeping as they "burn the candle at both ends" trying to balance a variety of educational/personal/social demands.
Those with hypoglycemia may also experience insomnia as a side effect of this condition. The consumption of stimulants (coffee, sugar, nicotine), and certain drugs can also hinder sound sleep.
Calcium and magnesium deficiencies can also cause insomnia as well.
What to Expect:
Sleep is like food. If you miss one or two meals, you are usually all right. Similarly, missing several meals a week, while not desirable, should not have an overall adverse affect. However, if you are experiencing chronic insomnia, or persistent bouts of it, you will find that your mental and physical abilities will become compromised over time. Though researchers are still divided as to the true purpose of sleep, lack of it can result in decreased alertness, mental function, and general performance, increased anxiety and irritability, mood swings, and depression.
If you experience chronic fatigue, consult your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine the root cause of the problem. The remedies outlined below are intended primarily for transient/ intermittent insomnia.
