Insomnia is a common sleeping disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Although it can affect anyone, certain demographics are more prone to developing insomnia. Here are the top 30 demographics that are susceptible to insomnia:.
1. Women
Studies have shown that women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men. This is due to hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Women are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, which can cause insomnia.
2. Elderly people
As we age, our sleeping patterns change, and we require less sleep. This can cause the elderly to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Medical conditions such as arthritis, prostate problems, and heart disease can also cause insomnia in older adults.
3. People with chronic pain
Chronic pain is a common cause of insomnia. The pain can prevent a person from falling asleep or waking them up during the night. This can cause a cycle of sleeplessness and pain that can be difficult to break.
4. Shift workers
Shift work can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is because their internal body clock is out of sync with their work schedule.
This can cause sleep deprivation, which can lead to insomnia.
5. People with mental health disorders
Mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder can cause insomnia. These conditions can cause racing thoughts, which can prevent a person from falling asleep.
Medications used to treat these disorders can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
6. People who use electronic devices before bedtime
The blue light emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle. This can cause them to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Using these devices before bedtime can also stimulate the brain, making it harder for a person to relax and drift off to sleep.
7. People with sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is briefly interrupted during the night. This can cause a person to wake up frequently during the night and experience daytime fatigue. The interrupted sleep can also cause insomnia.
8. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and irritation. This can cause a person to wake up frequently during the night and experience insomnia.
9. People with restless leg syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which a person has an uncomfortable sensation in their legs, which can be relieved by moving them. This can cause a person to wake up frequently during the night and experience insomnia.
10. People who work long hours
Working long hours can cause a person to feel stressed and anxious, which can affect their ability to sleep. The stress can cause racing thoughts, making it harder for a person to relax and fall asleep. This can lead to insomnia.
11. People who travel frequently
Jet lag and changes in time zones can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can cause a cycle of sleeplessness and fatigue that can be difficult to break.
12. People who consume caffeine late in the day
Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep a person awake and alert. Consuming caffeine late in the day can cause a person to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This can lead to insomnia.
13. People who smoke cigarettes
Nicotine is a stimulant that can keep a person awake and alert. Smoking cigarettes before bedtime can cause a person to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Nicotine withdrawal can also cause insomnia.
14. People with chronic stress
Chronic stress can cause a person to feel anxious and worried, which can affect their ability to sleep. The stress can cause racing thoughts, making it harder for a person to relax and fall asleep. This can lead to insomnia.
15. People who consume alcohol before bedtime
Alcohol is a sedative that can make a person feel sleepy. However, consuming alcohol before bedtime can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can lead to insomnia.
16. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which a person has trouble paying attention and staying focused. This can cause them to have racing thoughts, making it harder for them to relax and fall asleep.
Medications used to treat ADHD can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
17. People with post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which a person experiences intense fear, helplessness, or horror after a traumatic event. This can cause them to have racing thoughts, making it harder for them to relax and fall asleep.
Medications used to treat PTSD can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
18. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which a person has obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. These thoughts can cause them to have racing thoughts, making it harder for them to relax and fall asleep.
Medications used to treat OCD can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
19. People with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which a person experiences episodes of depression and mania. These episodes can cause them to have racing thoughts, making it harder for them to relax and fall asleep.
Medications used to treat bipolar disorder can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
20. People with borderline personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition in which a person has unstable moods and relationships. This can cause them to have racing thoughts, making it harder for them to relax and fall asleep.
Medications used to treat BPD can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
21. People who eat late at night
Eating late at night can cause a person to feel full and uncomfortable, making it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. The digestion process can also cause a person to wake up during the night, leading to insomnia.
22. People who have an irregular sleep schedule
An irregular sleep schedule can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can cause a cycle of sleeplessness and fatigue that can be difficult to break.
23. People who work night shifts
Working night shifts can disrupt a person’s sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is because their internal body clock is out of sync with their work schedule.
This can cause sleep deprivation, which can lead to insomnia.
24. People with attention deficit disorder
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a condition in which a person has trouble paying attention and staying focused. This can cause them to have racing thoughts, making it harder for them to relax and fall asleep.
Medications used to treat ADD can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
25. People with asthma
Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, making it difficult for them to breathe. This can cause a person to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Medications used to treat asthma can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
26. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, making it difficult for them to breathe. This can cause a person to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Medications used to treat COPD can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
27. People with Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which a person’s nervous system gradually deteriorates, making it difficult for them to control their movements.
This can cause discomfort and pain that can prevent a person from falling asleep and staying asleep. Medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
28. People with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition in which a person’s immune system attacks their nervous system, causing a range of symptoms. These symptoms can include fatigue, pain, and discomfort, which can lead to insomnia.
Medications used to treat MS can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
29. People with fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition in which a person experiences widespread pain and tenderness in their muscles and joints. This can cause discomfort and pain that can prevent a person from falling asleep and staying asleep.
Medications used to treat fibromyalgia can also cause insomnia as a side effect.
30. People with chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition in which a person experiences extreme fatigue and exhaustion that is not relieved by rest. This can cause them to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Medications used to treat CFS can also cause insomnia as a side effect.