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InsomniaIf you struggle to fall asleep at night more than three times per week, and the challenge has been going on for at least one month, then you might have one of the most common sleep disorders: insomnia. The neurobiology of insomnia isn't fully understood, and several theories seek to explain the phenomenon, which appears to be at least partially influenced by genetics. One proposes that insomnia may be a disorder of hypervigilance or hyperarousal experienced throughout the day—this sort of state occurs when a person attempts to be constantly aware of any threats, leaving them tense, anxious, and easily startled. Another suggests the disorder stems from an issue with the sleep-wake cycle controlled by one's circadian rhythm. There's no one-size-fits-all cure for insomnia, though interventions typically begin by improving sleep hygiene, encouraging people to adjust their sleep habits and presleep behaviors to better prioritize rest and relaxation.Explore Insomnia

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The overlooked physical causes of insomniaPersistent lack of sleep is dangerous for anyone, but women are especially unlikely to have their symptoms taken seriously. This article highlights the physical causes of insomnia—a condition often written off as solely psychological—and the importance of early diagnosis. The writer, Courtney Maum, was diagnosed with an anterior nasal valve collapse as the source of her insomnia. The GuardianAbout 10%-15% of people experience chronic insomniaHow often would you say you struggle to stay or fall asleep? If it's more than three times per week (and has been going on for at least one month), then you might have one of the most common sleep disorders: insomnia. 1440Light pollution is giving oysters insomniaOysters, bivalve mollusks that have light-detecting cells along their skin, can't sleep with all this artificial light. According to a 2022 study, oysters' sleep cycles are disturbed by light dimmer than that provided by the full moon. As with humans, it's possible that these bouts of insomnia could have adverse health effects and contribute to the development of disease over time. Hakai MagazineWhat it's like to live with insomniaThe biological process Shakespeare referred to as the chief nourisher of life's feast is necessary for the body and mind to rest and repair from the activities of daily life. As sleep evades the exhausted, sufferers also lose emotional stability, mental clarity, social connections, and more while simultaneously gaining waves of interrupted biological processes that can lead to disease and death. The Quest for SleepA quick technical overview of insomniaInsomnia is one of the world's most common sleep disorders. Characterized by difficulties falling and staying asleep, long-term struggles with insomnia can prelude or contribute to health difficulties. Treatments range from sleep hygiene management and relaxation therapy, and medication, including antidepressants and melatonin. National Institutes of HealthA framework for the various potential causes of insomniaInsomnia typically occurs in people dealing with life stressors and physical or mental health conditions, though the exact cause continues to elude researchers. Generally, the factors can be broken down into external (such as stress, medication, etc.) or internal (neurological) factors. Harvard UniversityClinical insomnia is defined as trouble sleeping for three nights per week for at least one monthThe term "insomnia" is often used in popular culture to refer to general difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. In the US, insomnia transitions to a clinical disorder when symptoms—dissatisfying, nonrestful, and life-disrupting sleep—occur at least three nights per week for at least one month and cause "clinically significant" distress in important areas of life. PsychDBMenopause can exacerbate anxietySome research shows that menopause can fuel anxiety and also that pre-existing anxiety can boost the chances of experiencing other menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, insomnia, and brain fog. But treatments including hormone replacement therapy, breathing exercises, and other forms of exercise can alleviate some of these symptoms. SELFDisney chipped away at its debt by creating propaganda during World War IIDisney began producing training videos for the Navy and propaganda films for US involvement in World War II, including the shorts "Der Fuehrer's Face," "The Spirit of '43," and "Donald Gets Drafted." The effort provided a much-needed cash injection, allowing Disney to continue producing films. Smithsonian MagazineThe US loses roughly $400B a year in productivity due to sleep deprivationFor an article about a woman who built a business empire telling bedtime stories, the Hustle created this graphic showing the estimated GDP loss associated with chronic insomnia. The United States had a much more significant loss than other countries. HubSpotScientific advances are unlocking a wide range of alternatives to IVFFrom refined artificial insemination and microsurgical sperm extraction to experimental uterine transplants, scientific innovation is rapidly advancing potential fertilization technologies. But they come along with costly trials, some ethical dilemmas, regulatory issues, and more. The MIT Press ReaderDangers of a record-breaking, sleep-skipping stuntIn 1963, 17-year-old Randy Gardner decided to stay awake for as long as it took to break the current world record. He managed to stay awake for 11 days. In 2017, the then-71-year-old Gardner told NPR that his experience had come back to haunt him as insomnia. The challenge has since been removed from the Guinness Book of World Records due to its dangerous consequences. NPRThe deadly genetic disease that steals shut-eyeFew are haunted by fatal familial insomnia. This neurodegenerative disease is typically carried through bloodlines via genetic mutation of the prion protein gene, forcing the body to create abnormal and pathological protein variations that can corrupt normal versions. This article follows a musician as they attempt to come to terms with the FFI plaguing their family (and, possibly, their future). The Washington PostGenetics play a role in the reliability of the body's biological clocksGrowing evidence suggests genetics influence when, how long, and how well one sleeps, meaning insomnia may have a genetic component. While exact insomnia biomarkers have yet to be determined, some genes, including those related to psychiatric disorders, have been implicated. Proto MagazinePoor sleep increases the risk of developing Alzheimer'sBrain imaging studies reveal poor sleep leads to production of amyloid beta proteins—molecules linked to Alzheimer’s—which are cleaned from the brain during high-quality sleep. These findings suggest conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia increase the risk of developing the disease. TED ConferencesNarcolepsy occurs when the brain loses its ability to control its sleep-wake cycleNarcolepsy not only makes people fall asleep at random moments, but it can also cause hallucinations, insomnia, and sleep paralysis. The disorder is tied to cells in the brain’s hypothalamus called hypocretin, which are neuropeptides responsible for keeping you awake and controlling your dreaming from coming on too quickly. Seeker

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