How Insomnia Negatively Impacts Your Health

Insomnia is a widespread sleep disorder that affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide, plus millions of teenagers. Even when conditions are ideal for sleeping, insomnia can:

• Make it hard to fall asleep when you go to bed (sleep onset insomnia)
• Wake you up in the middle of the night (sleep maintenance insomnia)
• Wake you up well before your morning alarm (early waking insomnia)

If you have chronic insomnia, you’re undoubtedly tired of feeling tired. However, constant fatigue isn’t the only reason to seek help from board-certified pulmonologist and sleep disorder specialist Dr. Michael N. Newton, who serves patients in and around Tampa, Florida.

Finding a solution for insomnia can also protect you from its harmful health effects. In this blog, Dr. Newton explains what every insomniac needs to know about this pervasive condition.

When insomnia becomes chronic

Short-term insomnia can last a few days to a few weeks. Triggers include stressful events, disruptions in your daily routine, or a new environment. Fortunately, short-term insomnia tends to resolve on its own and usually doesn’t pose much concern.

Chronic insomnia, however, is a more persistent sleep disorder that occurs at least three nights per week for more than three months. It can be harder to treat, as a combination of factors typically causes it.

Chronic insomnia can take a toll on your daily life, leading to fatigue, low energy, irritability, and difficulty with focus or memory. It can also affect your overall health, raising your risk of several medical conditions.

Proper sleep supports overall health

While you sleep, your body actively supports and restores normal brain function and physical health. Just as children need sufficient sleep to grow and develop properly, your adult body requires quality rest to:

• Repair blood vessels
• Strengthen your immune system
• Regulate hormone levels
• Manage blood sugar
• Reduce and control inflammation
• Create new brain pathways
• Process and store memories

In short, consistent sleep disruptions can negatively impact numerous aspects of your health.

Harmful effects of chronic insomnia

Research indicates poor sleep quality promotes inflammation, contributing to numerous physical health issues. Chronic insomnia is closely connected to:

• Weight gain and obesity
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Heart attack and stroke
• Hormonal imbalances
• Insulin resistance and diabetes

It’s also linked to a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, and an elevated risk of cancers, such as breast, ovarian, colon, and prostate.

And there’s more. Chronic insomnia can wreak havoc on your mental health, leaving you more vulnerable to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.

Treat your insomnia to protect your health

Tackling insomnia and getting back to enjoying restful sleep begins with better sleep hygiene habits. Dr. Newton recommends his patients:

• Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night (8-10 hours if you're a teenager)
• Make daily exercise a priority, but steer clear of evening workouts
• Ensure your sleep environment is cool, dark, and quiet
• Limit screen time for at least an hour before bed
• Leave your phone outside your bedroom
• Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and late afternoon naps
• Relax before bed with a warm bath or by reading

Addressing anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions is also vital to achieving consistent, restful sleep.

If your insomnia is chronic, Dr. Newton may prescribe medications in addition to the above lifestyle changes. He may also recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve sleep quality.

Don’t wait for insomnia to harm your health. To book a consultation with Dr. Newton, call the office at 813-640-4923 or request an appointment online today.