What Are the Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment for Insomnia?

Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep night after night can take a serious toll on your physical and mental well-being. If sleepless nights are becoming the norm, it could be a sign of insomnia, and seeking the right insomnia treatment can help you overcome this problem. 

Before exploring treatment options, let’s first understand what insomnia is, the different types, its causes, key symptoms, and the treatments available.

What Is Insomnia? 

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. It often causes poor sleep quality and feeling tired upon waking. People suffering from insomnia often wake up feeling tired, irritable, or unable to focus, which can affect daily life, mood, and overall health. 

It’s not only about one bad night; insomnia tends to be persistent, lasting weeks or even longer if left unaddressed.

What Are the Different Types of Insomnia?

The most common types of insomnia include the following:

• Acute insomnia: Also known as short-term insomnia, acute insomnia occurs when sleep difficulties last only a few days or weeks. It often results from sudden stress, a life change, or an irregular schedule. 

For example, losing a job, ending a relationship, or worrying about your health can all trigger temporary sleep issues. This type of insomnia usually resolves once the individual adapts to or resolves the triggering situation.

• Chronic insomnia: It is a more persistent condition, diagnosed when sleep disturbances occur at least three nights per week for three months or longer. While it can begin with a stressful event, it often becomes a self-sustaining problem due to factors like poor sleep hygiene, underlying medical conditions (like a condition that can cause acid reflux), chronic pain, or mental health disorders. 

• Onset Insomnia: Sleep onset insomnia is a type of insomnia where a person struggles to fall asleep at the beginning of the night, taking 30 minutes or more to drift off.

• Comorbid Insomnia: This type of insomnia occurs alongside another condition, such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or certain medications, making sleep issues worse.

Do you know that chronic insomnia affects roughly 6-10% of the population?

How common is insomnia?

Both acute and chronic insomnia are extremely prevalent. Approximately 10% of adults worldwide fit the criteria for insomnia disorder, and 1 in 3 adults experience symptoms of insomnia.

What are the Symptoms of Insomnia?

The most common symptoms of insomnia include affecting both your sleep and your waking life. Signs that you might have insomnia include the following: 

• Trouble falling asleep

• Restless sleep and only sleeping in short bursts

• Staying awake for most of the night

• Waking up too early 

• Feeling tired despite being in bed for hours 

• Sleepy throughout the day

• Problems with concentration, memory, or attention.

• Frequent mistakes and accidents due to fatigue

• Changes in mood, like feeling anxious and depressed

• Ongoing worry and anxiety about sleep itself.

What are the Main Causes of Insomnia? 

Insomnia doesn't have a single cause. According to Mayoclinic, the most common causes include stress, travel or work schedule, poor sleep habits, heavy diet in the evening, mental health disorders, and more. 

One study also suggests a state of hyperarousal of the nervous system at night as a key mechanism. This arousal can spike heart rate, body temperature, and stress hormones like cortisol, making sleep nearly impossible.

For patients with insomnia, cognitive arousal may contribute to the 24-hr physiologic hyperarousal. Several factors can trigger this state. 

Let's explore some more causes of insomnia. 

Psychological factors

Stress from work, school, or relationships can fuel mental hyperarousal. Being unable to sleep can also feed into the stress, creating a loop that's hard to break. 

Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD often lead to chronic sleep issues. 

Studies suggest more than 40% of people with mental health conditions also experience insomnia. The worry about not sleeping can itself create a cycle of sleeplessness.

Impaired sleep schedules

Shift work, frequent travel, or inconsistent bedtime and wake-up times can also trigger insomnia. Note that going to bed and waking up on the same daily schedule helps support our circadian rhythm. 

But outside factors like shift work can throw our sleep routines off, impairing our sleep. Significant life changes, like retiring or returning to school, can also disrupt our sleep schedules.

Environmental influences

A poor sleep environment can also influence insomnia. Noise, light, uncomfortable bedding, or extreme temperatures can disturb your sleep. 

Health-related issues

Physical illness and pain, like after surgery or with a sore shoulder, can contribute to acute and chronic insomnia. 

• Medical conditions such as diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and acid reflux directly affect rest. In fact, untreated insomnia may cause acid reflux symptoms to worsen at night.

• Neurological problems, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, can throw off the sleep-wake cycle and cause nighttime confusion, worsening sleep quality.

Demographics

Although both acute and chronic insomnia can affect people of any age, older sleepers, especially during pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal changes, face higher risks. Besides being older and a woman, other factors that increase the risk of insomnia include having a family history of insomnia and a lower socioeconomic status. 

What are the Impacts of Insomnia on Health?

Chronic insomnia can significantly affect your physical and mental health. Here are some reported effects of insomnia on well-being and health. 

Physical health consequences

• Chronic health problems: Evidence shows a link between insomnia and an increased risk of developing chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 

• Impaired immune system: Insufficient sleep can also weaken your immune system, making it more likely to develop illnesses. When you sleep, your body releases specific proteins that help fight against infection and inflammation. Not getting sleep can hinder this illness-fighting process. 

• Weight gain: Insomnia can disrupt the hormones that regulate your appetite, leading to increased hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods. You’re also less likely to be motivated to exercise or engage in physical activity when fatigued.

Mental health consequences

• Emotional dysregulation: Insomnia can make it more difficult to regulate emotions. Lack of sleep can increase your emotional sensitivity and make you more susceptible to mood swings and outbursts.

• Difficulty in focusing: Lack of sleep impacts concentration, attention span, and memory, making it difficult to complete work and studies or follow instructions. Sleep is essential to memory consolidation and allowing the brain to process information effectively.

• Reduced cognitive function: Long-term insomnia can impact brain function, impair decision-making and problem-solving skills, and hinder creativity. This constant sleep debt can affect relationships, performance, and well-being.

How to Manage and Treat Insomnia

Managing insomnia often requires a mix of behavioral strategies, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medical interventions.

Generally, a successful insomnia treatment plan is personalized depending on an individual's unique needs and history. 

For example, 

• Your treatment plan depends on how long you've experienced insomnia. 

• It depends on whether your insomnia is caused by another condition, like a sleep disorder or mental illness. 

Here are a few common treatment approaches for people with insomnia.

Medical treatments 

Research in 2025 shows that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment. During treatment, trained professionals examine the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the patient that contribute to insomnia symptoms.

Sessions may include activities like 

• Reshape negative thoughts about sleep

• Build consistent sleep routines

• Practice relaxation techniques before bedtime

If CBT is not an effective treatment for insomnia, your sleep provider may recommend sleep medications that you can buy over-the-counter or with a prescription. 

Prescription sleep medications typically work by changing the brain chemicals that regulate sleep and wakefulness. Almost all over-the-counter sleep medications contain antihistamines known to cause drowsiness and serve as a sleep aid.

Lifestyle and behavioral changes 

Good sleep hygiene can significantly reduce insomnia symptoms. Here are a few ways to practice good sleep hygiene: 

• Set and maintain a regular sleep-wake schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. 

• Create a comfortable sleeping environment that promotes relaxation. Invest in a quality mattress and bedding. Use blackout curtains and noise machines to block out light and bothersome noise. 

• Limit your intake of stimulants like caffeine and alcohol, especially before bed. 

• Exercise daily and eat a healthy diet. Avoid rigorous physical exercise or large meals before sleeping. 

• Put away your electronics at least an hour before bed. The blue light from the screens can disrupt your sleep quality. 

• Practice relaxing bedtime rituals every night before sleeping. Stretch, read, meditate, or listen to soothing music.

Alternative remedies 

Natural remedies are also another treatment option for insomnia. These remedies could include taking supplements like melatonin, kava, valerian, and magnesium. Some might also engage in activities like hypnosis and aromatherapy. But it's important to note that limited scientific evidence supports their effectiveness. 

If a chronic condition like shoulder pain or acid reflux is contributing to your insomnia, a standard pillow may not be enough. Consider a medically backed solution like the MedCline Reflux Relief System. Unlike generic wedges, MedCline’s design features a patented arm pocket that comfortably keeps you in the doctor-recommended elevated side-sleeping position, effectively preventing nighttime reflux episodes and relieving pressure on the shoulder. Made with CertiPUR-US, a gel-infused foam, our sleep solutions offer spinal support and cooling comfort.

Conclusion

Whether you're experiencing acute insomnia or a chronic struggle, understanding the insomnia symptoms and potential causes is empowering. The most important step is to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.

When discussing your insomnia treatment options, consider if an underlying issue like pain or acid reflux is a factor. MedCline’s clinically proven sleep systems offer a non-pharmacological way to alleviate these specific causes. Made with adjustable memory foam stuffing, our seamless design features full body support to align your spine and elevate your upper body.

For more information on how our sleep solutions can help, visit our FAQs page or contact our team of Sleep Specialists today.