Caffeine is one of those things that you might ingest even if you make valid attempts not to. It is addictive and it shows up in all types of food and drinks. Caffeine is also found in many prescription medications which many people do not know about. Caffeine as most know it is something that is in cola, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Most people also know that caffeine can cause insomnia which is why many people avoid such drinks as pop and coffee in the evening hours. Yet, millions of Americans begin their day with a fresh hot cup of coffee or tea because they claim it gives them the boost that they need to get going.

Besides being addictive, caffeine stimulates the brain in ways similar to amphetamines and even though it is much milder, it still stimulates the brain similar to that of a drug. Caffeine is linked to many cases of insomnia, as a matter of fact it is the biggest substance linked to insomnia. Another way that caffeine can hinder sleep is because it is a diuretic which stimulates the kidneys causing people to have to urinate more frequently than normal and very often throughout the night.

It is said that only 100-200 milligrams of caffeine can relieve drowsiness. Having said that, consider the following, 1 espresso has 200 mgs of caffeine, 1 cup of coffee has 100mgs of caffeine, a 12 oz can of cola has 45 mgs of caffeine, 1 Midol has 32 mgs and 1 Excedrin has 85 mgs. Now take a look at this, a cup of decaf coffee only has 3 mgs of caffeine and since caffeine has no flavor, color or odor, there sure can not be any reason that you can not enjoy that cup of coffee any time that you want to and still be able to get to sleep at night.

Some people are sensitive to caffeine while others are not but if you find a relationship between a bad night’s sleep and your caffeine intake that does not mean that you can not enjoy a cup of coffee or even a cola, just make sure they are caffeine free. The most common sources of caffeine are coffee, cocoa beans, cola nuts, and tea leaves. The amount of caffeine that is in products depends on the serving size, the product, and how it is prepared. People differ greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine and many develop a tolerance for it.

Many people feel a jittery feeling from caffeine and learn very quickly to avoid caffeine after a certain time if they plan on sleeping. Caffeine increases the secretion of stress hormones such as adrenaline so if a person is already secreting higher stress hormones then caffeine could cause a rapid increase that would definitely trigger a period of insomnia. People usually do not give a lot of thought to their caffeine intake but believe it or not, caffeine used to be used in clinical settings to induce panic attacks in patients. That gives you something to think about!

You wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, all the while you are up your mind is racing, filled with “what if” thinking. Just in the few minutes that it takes for you to walk to the bathroom you may have already had as many as ten different thoughts. As you climb back into bed, the thinking has filled your head so much that you can not fall back to sleep again. As you lay there wondering and worrying about things that are likely not even in your control, you watch the minutes that turn into hours just tick away. If this sounds like you, then you are suffering from insomnia that is likely caused from anxiety.

Research has found a very strong link between insomnia and anxiety as when a person suffers from one it is likely that they will suffer from both. As you are lying in bed, filled with anxiety, the anxiety will actually surmount causing your brain to become even more active, which makes it even more impossible to sleep. This condition would not be defined as something that happens occasionally but rather frequently. Sometimes doing something as simple as turning the TV on in your room with a low volume but so you can still hear it and putting on something that is funny will really help. You will eventually fall asleep and what you are hearing on the TV will divert your anxious thoughts.

Anxiety related insomnia falls under a few different categories such as Transient insomnia which is usually associated with situational stress. In other words, perhaps you have an upcoming job, a presentation, an exam, or a move. Short term insomnia lasts for six months or less that are generally related to a death, an illness, or maybe environmental factors.

Finally, there is chronic insomnia which can be contributed to a variety of factors that may require a medical or psychological evaluation to determine the exact cause. There can be many stages of insomnia which can range from short term to long term insomnia. Insomnia can then increase anxiety which can lead to many other conditions later on. The mere frustration of sleep deprivation alone can manifest into many other serious conditions.

Do you find yourself finding at least one particular event to dwell on and by nighttime that thought or thoughts have completely taken over your train of thought? When this happens it could be that your mind is racing so quickly thinking of what you will do, what you could have done differently, what you could say if given another chance, and so on. These things will prohibit sleep faster than anything will.

Untreated anxiety can easily lead to panic disorder which is why you should be seen by a doctor right away and remember that there are so many new and very friendly medications available today to treat anxiety; you will be so grateful that you went. If you have anxiety related insomnia there is no reason to suffer with it for another day because there is help available.

Menopause has many unwelcome surprises for women but the biggest complaint is insomnia. Falling asleep may not be particularly difficult but it is staying asleep that becomes the problem. These episodes may or may not include night sweats or extreme warmth, extremely vivid dreams, or intense anxiety that is almost in the form of panic. Often there may be no cause at all for a woman to wake in the middle of the night and just can not go back to sleep. Experts do know that hormonal imbalances can put a woman’s system right out of whack causing extreme hot flashes which could be the reason that the body can not return to a state of sleep because the body has to return to its normal temperature first.

More recent research has shown that maybe it is not night sweats and body temperature at all that contributes to menopausal insomnia. In fact, it may be that the drop of serotonin, which is the brains natural chemical, may be the culprit as this happens automatically when estrogen levels decline. There is no doubt that there is a definite relationship between menopause and insomnia and very often the insomnia can begin up to 7 years before the actual onset of menopause. Most have heard people refer to menopausal women as being irritable and nothing less than moody.

The reason for this is a combination of lack of sleep that results in added stress, which then manifests into a higher degree of moodiness. Menopausal women experience a high lack of REM sleep which is the deepest level of sleep and the one that is most necessary. Lack of this sleep can really cause menopausal women to become extra irritable. It can not be understated the importance of a woman getting her proper rest at this critical time.

Visit your doctor and he should be able to give you some hormone replacements which will stabilize your hormones resulting in a good nights rest. There are also herbal remedies available such as vitamin replacements and herbal teas that promote sleep. Don’t feel alone and don’t hesitate, address the importance of your insomnia right away so you can rest easy once again. Perhaps you can start an exercise regimen or start taking yoga or meditating to cleanse your mind, body, and soul.

In combination these will all promote better overall health which could possibly balance out the insomnia. Caffeine is one thing that should be avoided at all costs during menopause as it will only add to the inability to sleep. Menopausal women may find that there are certain conditions or products that trigger an insomnia spree, and as these triggers are discovered, they can then be avoided.

Menopause already makes a woman feel tired and drained and it can vary quite a bit from woman to woman but it is almost guaranteed that it will surface. As the estrogen and progesterone fluctuate many symptoms will develop in certain ways that lead to increased insomnia. The best things that you can do are work with your doctor and take his advice and together you will work through this difficult time.