The ability to sleep is an extremely underrated advantage and luxury; especially for those who are unable to do so for whatever reason, for long periods of time.
The side effects of long term insomnia cannot be underestimated. Sufferers will suffer from severe impairment to their basic functions when they are awake, such as lack of co-ordination, concentration and the ability to undertake the most basic of everyday tasks.
There are various identifiable patterns and degrees of insomnia, often unique to the sufferer. Transient insomnia is perhaps the least debilitating, as it is usually a temporary condition, lasting no more than a week at a time.
Acute insomnia can be longer lasting, often affecting sufferers for weeks at a time. This can often be caused by anxiety or pain, which causes the sufferer to wake in the middle of the night, making it difficult for them to drift off back to sleep.
As the name suggests, Chronic insomnia is the most severe. This can last untreated for months at a time and can cause severe muscular and mental fatigue. Chronic insomnia can also cause sufferers to have blurred and double vision in extreme cases.
Fortunately there are a number of treatments available to sufferers of all types of insomnia. These include herbal and cognitive behavioural treatments, as well as alternative treatments such as hypnotherapy or acupuncture. For may more severe cases sleeping tablets may be the best solution.