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Diseases » Insomnia » Causes

Causes of Insomnia



Contents

List of causes of Insomnia

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Insomnia) that could possibly cause Insomnia includes:

More causes: see full list of causes for Insomnia

Causes of Insomnia (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Insomnia that are listed by the Diseases Database:

Source: Diseases Database

Causes of Insomnia: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Insomnia.

Insomnia: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

  • Unnecessary concern about deviation from “normal” sleeping patterns
  • Acute, transient insomnia (<4 weeks)
    –Situational stress (most common)
    –Acute illness or injury
    –Medications or drugs (e.g., cocaine)
    –Change in sleep environment or hours
  • Chronic insomnia (>4 weeks)
    –Difficulty falling asleep: May be due to poor sleep hygiene, conditioned insomnia (initial acute insomnia progresses to chronic due to maladaptive distorted sleep cognitions), medications (e.g., sedatives, decongestants, oral contraceptive use, antidepressants, bronchodilators), drugs (including over-the-counter and herbal preparations, alcohol, nicotine, illicit drugs), and caffeine (e.g., coffee, soda, medications)
    –Difficulty staying asleep: May be due to sleep apnea, medications and drugs (e.g., alcohol), depression, anxiety, dementia, psychosis, mania, post-traumatic stress disorder, and various medical conditions (e.g., COPD, asthma, CHF, angina, GERD, peptic ulcer disease, IBD, BPH, UTI, pregnancy, uremia, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, menopause, pain, pruritus, seizures)
  • RLS
    –“Creepy-crawly” unpleasant sensations in the legs and/or feet
    –Temporarily relieved by moving limbs
  • Periodic limb movement disorder
    –Arms and/or legs jerk during sleep
    –May be a primary disorder or secondary to uremia, neuropathy, or iron deficiency
    –Often in the elderly
    –Often occurs with restless legs syndrome
  • Narcolepsy
  • REM-behavior disorder
    –Rare, mostly in elderly
    –Thrashing or seemingly purposeful behaviors during sleep
  • Prion fatal familial insomnia

    • >

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Insomnia: Medical causes
    (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

    Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

    Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake after long-term use causes insomnia that may persist for up to 2 years

    Other early effects of this acute syndrome include excessive diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, restlessness, irritability, a headache, nausea, flushing, and nightmares. Progression to delirium tremens produces confusion, disorientation, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and seizures.

    Generalized anxiety disorder

    Anxiety can cause chronic insomnia as well as symptoms of tension, such as fatigue and restlessness; signs of autonomic hyperactivity, such as diaphoresis, dyspepsia, and high resting pulse and respiratory rates; and signs of apprehension.

    Mood (affective) disorders

    Depression commonly causes chronic insomnia with difficulty falling asleep, waking and being unable to fall back to sleep, or waking early in the morning

    Related findings include dysphoria (a primary symptom), decreased appetite with weight loss or increased appetite with weight gain, and psychomotor agitation or retardation. The patient experiences loss of interest in his usual activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death.

    Manic episodes produce a decreased need for sleep with an elevated mood and irritability. Related findings include increased energy and activity, fast speech, speeding thoughts, inflated self-esteem, easy distractibility, and involvement in high-risk activities such as reckless driving.

    Nocturnal myoclonus

    With nocturnal myoclonus, a seizure disorder, involuntary and fleeting muscle jerks of the legs occur every 20 to 40 seconds, disturbing sleep.

    Sleep apnea syndrome

    Apneic periods begin with the onset of sleep, continue for 10 to 90 seconds, and end with a series of gasps and arousal

    With central sleep apnea, respiratory movement ceases for the apneic period; with obstructive sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction blocks incoming air, although breathing movements continue. Some patients display both types of apnea. Repeated possibly hundreds of times during the night, this cycle alternates with bradycardia and tachycardia. Associated findings include a morning headache, daytime fatigue, hypertension, ankle edema, and personality changes, such as hostility, paranoia, and agitated depression.

    Thyrotoxicosis

    Difficulty falling asleep and then sleeping for only a brief period is one of the characteristic symptoms of thyrotoxicosis

    Cardiopulmonary features include dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and an atrial or a ventricular gallop. Other findings include weight loss despite increased appetite, diarrhea, tremors, nervousness, diaphoresis, hypersensitivity to heat, an enlarged thyroid, and exophthalmos.

    Other causes

    Drugs

    Use of, abuse of, or withdrawal from sedatives or hypnotics may produce insomnia

    CNS stimulants — including amphetamines, theophylline derivatives, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, cocaine, and caffeinated beverages — may also produce insomnia.

    Herb alert

    Herbal remedies, such as ginseng and green tea, can also cause insomnia.

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Insomnia: Medical causes
    (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

    Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

    Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake after long-term use causes insomnia that may persist for up to 2 years. Other early effects of this acute syndrome include excessive diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, restlessness, irritability, headache, nausea, flushing, and nightmares. Progression to delirium tremens produces confusion, disorientation, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and seizures.

    Generalized anxiety disorder

    Anxiety can cause chronic insomnia as well as symptoms of tension, such as fatigue and restlessness; signs of autonomic hyperactivity, such as diaphoresis, dyspepsia, and high resting pulse and respiratory rates; and signs of apprehension.

    Mood (affective) disorders

    Depression commonly causes chronic insomnia with difficulty falling asleep, waking and being unable to fall back to sleep, or waking early in the morning. Related findings include dysphoria (a primary symptom), decreased appetite with weight loss or increased appetite with weight gain, and psychomotor agitation or retardation. The patient experiences loss of interest in his usual activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death.

    Manic episodes produce a decreased need for sleep with an elevated mood and irritability. Related findings include increased energy and activity, fast speech, speeding thoughts, inflated self-esteem, easy distractibility, and involvement in high-risk activities such as reckless driving.

    Nocturnal myoclonus

    With this seizure disorder, involuntary and fleeting muscle jerks of the legs occur every 20 to 40 seconds, disturbing sleep.

    Pain

    Almost any condition that causes pain can cause insomnia. Related findings reflect the specific cause.

    Pheochromocytoma

    This rare disorder causes paroxysms of acute hypermetabolic activity, which can prevent or interrupt sleep. Its cardinal sign is severe hypertension, which may be sustained between attacks. Other effects include headache, palpitations, and anxiety.

    Pruritus

    Localized skin infections and systemic disorders, such as liver failure, can cause pruritus, resulting in insomnia.

    Sleep apnea syndrome

    Apneic periods begin with the onset of sleep, continue for 10 to 90 seconds, and end with a series of gasps and arousal. With central sleep apnea, respiratory movement ceases for the apneic period; with obstructive sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction blocks incoming air, although breathing movements continue. Some patients display both types of apnea. Repeated possibly hundreds of times during the night, this cycle alternates with bradycardia and tachycardia. Associated findings include morning headache, daytime fatigue, hypertension, ankle edema, and personality changes, such as hostility, paranoia, and agitated depression.

    Thyrotoxicosis

    Difficulty falling asleep and then sleeping for only a brief period is one of the characteristic symptoms of this disorder. Cardiopulmonary features include dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and atrial or ventricular gallop. Other findings include weight loss despite increased appetite, diarrhea, tremors, nervousness, diaphoresis, hypersensitivity to heat, an enlarged thyroid, and exophthalmos.

    Other causes

    Drugs

    Use of, abuse of, or withdrawal from sedatives or hypnotics may produce insomnia. CNS stimulants—including amphetamines, theophylline derivatives, pseudoephedrine, cocaine, and caffeinated beverages—may also produce insomnia.

    Herb Alert

    Herbal remedies, such as ginseng and green tea, can also cause insomnia.

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Visual Disturbance: Differential Overview
    (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)

    Acute Loss/Scotoma

    ❑ Ophthalmic migraine

    ❑ Amaurosis fugax

    ❑ Retinal detachment

    ❑ Acute angle closure glaucoma

    ❑ Optic neuritis

    ❑ Papilledema

    ❑ Retinal artery occlusion

    ❑ Giant cell arteritis

    ❑ Trauma

    ❑ Toxic

    ❑ Occipital stroke

    ❑ Ischemic optic neuropathy

    ❑ Retinal hemorrhage

    ❑ Vitreous hemorrhage

    ❑ Central retinal vein occlusion

    Gradual Loss

    ❑ Refractive error

    ❑ Intraocular hypertension

    ❑ Cataract

    ❑ Diabetic retinopathy

    ❑ Macular degeneration

    ❑ Cytomegalovirus retinitis

    ❑ Drugs

    ❑ Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

    ❑ Optic nerve compression

    ❑ Pituitary adenoma

    ❑ Choroidal melanoma

    ❑ Retinitis pigmentosa

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Sleep Disorders: Differential Overview
    (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)

    Insomnia

    ❑ Stress

    ❑ Drugs

    ❑ Medical disorders

    ❑ Phase shift

    ❑ Sleep apnea

    ❑ Conditioned insomnia

    ❑ Depression

    ❑ Restless leg syndrome

    ❑ Nocturnal myoclonus

    ❑ Nightmares

    Hypersomnia

    ❑ Drugs

    ❑ Medical disorders

    ❑ Adolescence

    ❑ Narcolepsy

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Insomnia: Medical causes
    (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

    Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

    Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake after long-term use causes insomnia that may persist for up to 2 years. Other early effects of this acute syndrome include excessive diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, restlessness, irritability, headache, nausea, flushing, and nightmares. Progression to delirium tremens produces confusion, disorientation, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and seizures.

    Depression

    Depression commonly causes chronic insomnia with difficulty falling asleep, waking and being unable to fall back to sleep, or waking early in the morning. Related findings include dysphoria (a primary symptom), decreased appetite with weight loss or increased appetite with weight gain, and psychomotor agitation or retardation. The patient experiences loss of interest in his usual activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death.

    Generalized anxiety disorder

    Anxiety can cause chronic insomnia as well as symptoms of tension, such as fatigue and restlessness; signs of autonomic hyperactivity, such as diaphoresis, dyspepsia, and high resting pulse and respiratory rates; and signs of apprehension.

    Nocturnal myoclonus

    With nocturnal myoclonus, a seizure disorder, involuntary and fleeting muscle jerks of the legs occur every 20 to 40 seconds, disturbing sleep. The patient typically reports poor sleep and daytime somnolescence.

    Pain

    Almost any condition that causes pain can also cause insomnia. Related findings reflect the specific cause. Behavioral responses that may accompany pain include altered body position, moaning, grimacing, withdrawal, crying, restlessness, muscle twitching, and immobility. With mild or moderate pain the patient may have pallor, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, skeletal muscle tension, dyspnea, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Severe, deep pain may produce pallor, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia, nausea and vomiting, weakness, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.

    Pruritus

    Localized skin infections and systemic disorders, such as liver failure, can cause pruritus, resulting in insomnia. The patient may report scratching as a way to relieve the itching.

    Sleep apnea syndrome

    Apneic periods begin with the onset of sleep, continue for 10 to 90 seconds, and end with a series of gasps and arousal. With central sleep apnea, respiratory movement ceases for the apneic period; with obstructive sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction blocks incoming air, although breathing movements continue. Repeated possibly hundreds of times during the night, this cycle alternates with bradycardia and tachycardia. Associated findings include morning headache, daytime fatigue, hypertension, ankle edema, and personality changes, such as hostility, paranoia, and agitated depression.

    Thyrotoxicosis

    Difficulty falling asleep and then sleeping for only a brief period is one of the characteristic symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. Cardiopulmonary features include dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and atrial or ventricular gallop. Other findings include weight loss despite increased appetite, diarrhea, tremors, nervousness, diaphoresis, hypersensitivity to heat, an enlarged thyroid, and exophthalmos.

    Other causes

    Drugs

    Use of, abuse of, or withdrawal from sedatives or hypnotics may produce insomnia. CNS stimulants—including amphetamines, theophylline derivatives, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, cocaine, and caffeinated beverages—may also produce insomnia.

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Vision Disturbances: Principal Causes of Vision Disturbances
    (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)

    1. Oculardisorders
      1. Congenitalanomalies
        1. Globe
        2. Lens
        3. Cornea
        4. Iris
        5. Vitreous
      2. Refractive errors
        1. Myopia
        2. Hyperopia
        3. Astigmatism
        4. Anisometropia
      3. Strabismus
      4. Amblyopia
      5. Trauma
      6. Infection
      7. Cataracts
      8. Glaucoma
      9. Uveitis
        1. Anterior uveitis
        2. Posterior uveitis
      10. Retinal disorders
        1. Retinopathyof prematurity
        2. Retinitis pigmentosa and other retinaldystrophies
        3. Retinal detachment
        4. Albinism
      11. Neoplasm
      12. Metabolic disorders
    2. Neurologic disorders
      1. Lesionsof optic nerve or chiasm
        1. Optic nerve aplasia
        2. Optic nerve hypoplasia
        3. Optic atrophy
        4. Optic neuritis
      2. Lesions of optic pathways
      3. Lesions of visual cortex

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Insomnia: Medical causes
    (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

    Alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake after long-term use causes insomnia that may persist for up to 2 years. Other early effects of this acute syndrome include excessive diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, restlessness, irritability, a headache, nausea, flushing, and nightmares. Progression to delirium tremens produces confusion, disorientation, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and seizures.

    Generalized anxiety disorder.Anxiety can cause chronic insomnia as well as symptoms of tension, such as fatigue and restlessness; signs of autonomic hyperactivity, such as diaphoresis, dyspepsia, and high resting pulse and respiratory rates; and signs of apprehension.

    Mood (affective) disorders.Depression commonly causes chronic insomnia with difficulty falling asleep, waking and being unable to fall back to sleep, or waking early in the morning. Related findings include dysphoria (a primary symptom), decreased appetite with weight loss or increased appetite with weight gain, and psychomotor agitation or retardation. The patient experiences loss of interest in his usual activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death.

    Manic episodes produce a decreased need for sleep with an elevated mood and irritability. Related findings include increased energy and activity, fast speech, speeding thoughts, inflated self-esteem, easy distractibility, and involvement in high-risk activities such as reckless driving.

    Nocturnal myoclonus (also known asperiodic limb movement disorder). With nocturnal myoclonus, a seizure disorder, involuntary and fleeting muscle jerks of the legs occur every 20 to 40 seconds, disturbing sleep.

    Restless leg syndrome.With restless leg syndrome, uncomfortable sensations in the legs cause uncontrollable urges to move the limbs. Although movement brings relief, sleep is usually disrupted, causing insomnia, which may be severe.

    Sleep apnea syndrome.With sleep apnea syndrome, apneic periods begin with the onset of sleep, continue for 10 to 90 seconds, and end with a series of gasps and arousal. With central sleep apnea, respiratory movement ceases for the apneic period; with obstructive sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction blocks incoming air, although breathing movements continue. Some patients display both types of apnea. Repeated possibly hundreds of times during the night, this cycle alternates with bradycardia and tachycardia. Associated findings include a morning headache, daytime fatigue, hypertension, ankle edema, and personality changes, such as hostility, paranoia, and agitated depression.

    Other causes

    Drugs.Use of, abuse of, or withdrawal from sedatives or hypnotics may produce insomnia. CNS stimulants—including amphetamines, theophylline derivatives, pseudoephedrine, cocaine, and caffeinated beverages—may also produce insomnia.

    READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Insomnia as a complication of other conditions:

    Other conditions that might have Insomnia as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Insomnia. Our database lists the following as having Insomnia as a complication of that condition:

    Insomnia as a symptom:

    Conditions listing Insomnia as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Insomnia. Our database lists the following as having Insomnia as a symptom of that condition:

    Medications or substances causing Insomnia:

    The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Insomnia as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

    • Various common substances can cause insomnia:

    See full list of 281 medications causing Insomnia


    Drug interactions causing Insomnia:

    When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Insomnia as a symptom.

    The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

    • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) and Aerolate interaction
    • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) and Bronkodyl interaction
    • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) and Elixophyllin interaction
    • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) and Slo-bid interaction
    • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) and Theobid interaction

    See full list of 1667 drug interactions causing Insomnia

    What triggers Insomnia?

    The following conditions are listed as possible triggers for Insomnia:

    Medical news summaries relating to Insomnia:

    The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Insomnia:

    Related information on causes of Insomnia:

    As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Insomnia may be found in:


     » Next page: Risk Factors for Insomnia

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