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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
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Insomnia that are listed by the Diseases Database:
The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Insomnia:
Gender of Patients for Insomnia: More common in women....more »
To research the causes of Insomnia, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Insomnia:
Causes of Types of Insomnia: Review the cause informationfor the various types of Insomnia:
Causes of Broader Categories of Insomnia: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical 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:
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:
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.
See full list of 281 medications 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.
See full list of 1667 drug interactions causing Insomnia
The following conditions are listed as possible triggers for Insomnia:
The following medical news items are relevant to 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:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Insomnia.
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
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.
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.
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.
With nocturnal myoclonus, a seizure disorder, involuntary and fleeting muscle jerks of the legs occur every 20 to 40 seconds, disturbing sleep.
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.
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.
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.
Herbal remedies, such as ginseng and green tea, can also cause insomnia.
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
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.
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.
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.
With this seizure disorder, involuntary and fleeting muscle jerks of the legs occur every 20 to 40 seconds, disturbing sleep.
Almost any condition that causes pain can cause insomnia. Related findings reflect the specific cause.
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.
Localized skin infections and systemic disorders, such as liver failure, can cause pruritus, resulting in insomnia.
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.
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.
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.
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
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
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Insomnia
❑ Stress
❑ Drugs
❑ Medical disorders
❑ Phase shift
❑ Sleep apnea
❑ Conditioned insomnia
❑ Depression
❑ Restless leg syndrome
❑ Nocturnal myoclonus
❑ Nightmares
Hypersomnia
❑ Drugs
❑ Medical disorders
❑ Adolescence
❑ Narcolepsy
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Source: The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics, 2006
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.
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.
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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