Tejasswi Prakash Struggles With Insomnia: Causes, Health Risks & Proven Remedies

Actor Tejasswi Prakash opened up about being a “borderline insomniac,” saying that she finds her condition very frustrating. “I wake up at 10-11 am, sometimes noon. Very late. I sleep at 6 am because I am also

a borderline insomniac. I just realised that. I can’t sleep at night. There is no mobile or TV. I just lie down and look at the ceiling fan for hours together. It’s so frustrating,” she said in a podcast interview. “Sometimes, you can see the sunrise through the curtains, but you can’t sleep. There are so many nights in a week that I don’t sleep at all. I actually don’t sleep for even a minute. This has been happening for the last year at least,” Tejasswi told Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa. Tejsaawi added that it is not about an erratic sleep schedule but the fact that she is struggling with overall sleep.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia happens when you are not able to sleep as you should. This means that you are neither sleeping enough nor well and are grappling with trouble falling or staying asleep. For some people, insomnia is a minor inconvenience, while for many, it can be a major disruption. The reasons why insomnia happens can vary just as widely. Your body needs sleep for many reasons (and science is still unlocking an understanding of why sleep is so important to your body). Experts know that when you don’t sleep enough, it can cause sleep deprivation, which is usually unpleasant (at the very least) and keeps you from functioning at your best. Insomnia is a very common condition, as one in 3 adults across the world has its symptoms, and about 10 per cent meet the criteria for insomnia disorder.

What are the types of insomnia?

According to doctors, there are two main ways that experts use to put insomnia into categories:

Time

It is classified as acute, short-term, or chronic and long-term, also known as insomnia disorder.

Cause

Primary insomnia means it happens on its own. Secondary insomnia means it is a symptom of another condition or circumstance.

What causes insomnia?

While it is not fully known why insomnia happens, the current understanding by researchers is that this condition involves many factors, many of which could be causes or they could simply contribute to it.

• Family history
• Brain activity differences
• Medical conditions like acid reflux or Parkinson’s disease
• Mental health conditions
• Life circumstances, which include stress
• Life changes like jet lag
• Your habits and routine

Signs and symptoms of insomnia

Insomnia has several potential symptoms, which fall into a few categories:

• Feeling tired, unwell, or sleepy
• Delayed responses, such as reacting too slowly when you are driving
• Trouble remembering things
• Slowed thought processes, confusion, or trouble concentrating
• Mood disruptions, especially anxiety, depression, and irritability
• Other disruptions in your work, social activities, hobbies, or other routine activities

How is insomnia treated? Is there a cure?

There are many ways to treat insomnia - ranging from simple changes in your lifestyle and habits to various medications. The main approaches to treating insomnia are:

• Developing and practicing good sleep habits
• Medicines that help you fall or stay asleep
• Mental healthcare, which includes therapies

Doctors may prescribe many different types of medications to help you fall or stay asleep. Many of these are sedative or hypnotic drugs - both prescription and nonprescription – apart from mental health medications, and certain herbs and supplements. In general, your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you about the possible treatments and which they recommend for you. They are also the best source of information about the possible side effects or complications with treatments.