Biological Factors
Some health conditions can disrupt sleep, including:
- Conditions that cause chronic pain, such as arthritis and headache disorder
- Conditions that are associated with difficulty breathing, such as asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and sleep apnea
- Depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders
- Abnormal thyroid function
- Acid reflux disorder
- Restless legs syndrome
- Conditions that increase urinary frequency, such as enlarged prostate
- Dementia
Certain medications and commonly used substances can disrupt sleep. These include the following:
- Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants
- Alcohol or other sedatives that wear off in the middle of the night
- Some asthma medications (e.g. theophylline)
- Some decongestants and allergy and cold medicines
- Some steroids, such as prednisone
- Beta blockers (medicines used to treat heart conditions)
Sleep disruptions caused by medical conditions, medications and substances may resolve with treatment. However, this is not always the case and for some individuals, insomnia may persist after the medical condition is managed or resolved.
