A new study indicates that insomnia in women may be related to the menstrual cycles. With chronic insomnia, usually sleeplessness is a symptom rather than the actual problem. Stress, physical ailments or depression disrupt sleep. The culprit is often another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea where the victim stops breathing for short periods while asleep, or restless leg syndrome , the urge to move the legs continually because of unpleasant and unaccountable sensations. Both of these syndromes disrupt sleep and cause worry and stress.
Chronic stress is a common cause of insomnia, as is depression.
The sufferer lies awake worrying instead of dropping off to sleep. This can lead to even deeper depression, to more stress and to physical ailments like stomach ulcers. If you suffer from transient or short term insomnia, there are many methods to help alleviate the problem. These range from warm baths to warm milk, herbal tea or other herbal remedies to the various relaxation techniques like yoga, visualization and meditation. Daytime exercise is usually beneficial.