Conditions · FAQ
What can cause or worsen insomnia?
Short answer
Insomnia can be linked to stress, irregular sleep hours, caffeine, alcohol, medicines, or other health conditions. Pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep apnea may also play a role. More than one factor can be involved, so a physician should review your habits and health before recommending treatment.
Insomnia can start after a stressful event, illness, travel, or a change in work hours. It may continue when worry about sleep builds or bedtime habits become irregular. Long naps, late caffeine, nicotine, and bright light near bedtime can also interfere with sleep.
Alcohol may make you feel sleepy at first, but it can disrupt sleep later in the night. Some prescription medicines, cold products, stimulants, and supplements may keep you awake. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Ask your physician whether its dose or timing could affect your sleep.
Health conditions can also contribute. Examples include pain, reflux, anxiety, depression, hot flashes, and an overactive thyroid. Sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome may cause symptoms that look like insomnia or occur alongside it.
Tell your physician when the problem began and what changed around that time. A complete review helps guide the next steps. Addressing a contributing condition may help sleep, but Results vary. Insomnia may still need its own treatment plan.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.