It is commonplace for many people to experience at least an occasional night of almost non-existent sleep. The causes of insomnia differ from individual to individual. What made a kid insomniac differs from what caused a shift worker or a tourist or an employee to acquire such sleeping problem.

Sleeplessness, that is the inability to rest satisfactorily or to have any sleep at all, is among the most commonly encountered sleeping disorders. It is recognized by restlessness, sleep disruptions, reduced sleeping time than the usual, or sometimes complete wakefulness.

Besides the annoyance that insomnia can cause to its sufferers, this sleep disorder causes those afflicted to lose enthusiasm and energy, acquire memory and concentration problems, feel fatigued, frustrated, as well as sleepy. Worse cases that may be caused by insomnia is one's being susceptible to mishaps, decreased work productivity and the aggravation of psychological and medical ailments.

Just what exactly are the culprits which make insomnia one menacing sleeping disorder?

1. Psychological Distress

More chiefly when it is from internalized anxiety or frustration, emotional problems can easily trigger this sleep disorder.

2. Substance Abuse

Drinking excessive coffee, colas or other "energy-upper beverages" is known to trigger insomnia. Caffeine from these drinks is the main reason. Chain smokers can even be easy victims of insomnia because of the nicotine which cigarettes contain. Herbal solutions, alcohol and also other medications can also make one at risk of becoming an insomniac. Some may think that alcoholic beverages, when consumed, could make one experience drowsiness. But little did they know that in the long run, when the alcohol gets metabolized, sudden wakefulness will follow.

3. Biological Clock Disruption.

Also called circadian rhythm, the body clock, when changed, can damage the amount of sleep one could peacefully enjoy. This body clock disturbance could be the result of an irregular slumber schedule because of too much siesta or hanging out too late at night. It can also be jetlag or body clock disruption due to traveling by plane to some place where there is a different time zone. Other causes may be the grave yard schedules of personnel and cramming review season for students brought on by exams.

4. Environmental Factors

Extreme temperatures may interrupt one's sleeping habits. Noise and bright lights can have the same effect too. Homesickness or when one is forced to sleep in an unfamiliar place is also one cause of getting into the habit of not having sufficient sleep.

5. Health Problems

Health problems such as diabetes, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, ulcers, and Parkinson's disease may also cause insomnia. Asthma may also be one health problem that makes one susceptible to sleeplessness as a result of an asthmatic's lack of breath. Frequent urination, heartburn, and chronic ache from leg cramps, tooth ache and joint disease can also result in insomnia.

Psychological conditions like schizophrenia and depressive disorders are also possible causes for insomnia. Snoring with prolonged pauses in breathing in while at sleep, also called sleep apnea can also induce sleeplessness. Periodic arm and leg movements while asleep resulting in the muscle tissues to twitch excessively is one root cause of this sleep disorder. One more cause is narcolepsy or one's lack of control on whether they should stay awake or get to sleep, is yet another cause of this sleep problem.

6. Pre-bedtime Activities

Engaging to strenuous activities such as exercise just right before bedtime may deprive one of a good night's sleep. Taking in large meals when one is just about to sleep can also make one encounter this sleep disorder. This is because when metabolism is at its most active thus the body prompts one to stay awake.

With that vast information on what leads to sleeplessness with this sleeping disorder, one may easily defend against this annoying condition.