However, OSA patients tend to have smaller air passages, which increases the tendency of their airways to collapse and obstruct. Insomnia Insomnia, or difficulty with initiating or maintaining sleep, is not a single disorder. Rather, it can be produced by a number of medical, social, psychological and environment factors. In general, insomnia occurs more often in women, and it tends to increase in frequency with age. Almost any chronic medical condition can produce insomnia.
Common examples are asthma, emphysema and heart failure.
Social and environmental circumstances also can disrupt sleep. Psychiatric and psychological problems are frequently associated with insomnia. Depressed patients often will have difficulty falling asleep, will awaken early in the morning and will be unable to resume sleep. Although alcohol is often used as a sleep aid, chronic alcohol use leads to fragmented sleep and is an overlooked cause of insomnia. Sometimes, chronic insomnia does not appear to be related to any other condition.