Certain groups of people are more likely to experience insomnia. These are the elderly, females and those experiencing depression. The following causal factors have been directly linked with insomnia; stress, environmental noise, extreme temperatures, jet lag, medication side effects.

One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia among adults is related to snoring. If you have ever slept near someone who snores, you know that this can be extremely uncomfortable. Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), in which the closure of the throat temporarily prevents a sleeper from sucking air into his lungs. Initial steps in treating OSAS include weight loss, avoidance of alcoholic beverages, and avoidance of muscle-relaxant drugs. Specialists may also prescribe specific medication or the use of dental appliances or a continuous positive airway pressure machine.

Insomnia can be inherited, a genetic defect in which the brain fails to produce serotonin, a hormone like substance. This substance is said to act like a “sleep juice” that enters the blood and causes the body to become sleepy. Insomnia may be caused by some low-grade pain that is ignored while you are busy during the day. However, it may be persistent enough at night to cause you to wake up from time to time. The condition may also be due to a poorly ventilated room, or because your mattress is too hard or too soft. Other contributors to insomnia are stimulants such as coffee, tea or a cola drink. People who are in the habit of eating a heavy meal or food hard to digest shortly before going to bed may also find it difficult to get to sleep. Or, just the opposite, hunger may keep you awake, even as constipation at times interferes with sleep.

Insomnia in the elderly may be caused by painful cramps in the legs and feet. The pain wakes the person up and can cause sleep maintenance insomnia.