How insomnia can affect more than your nighttime routine
Insomnia can negatively affect a person’s health, work, social relationships and quality of life. The economic burden of insomnia due to these factors is estimated to be more than $100 billion annually, with average indirect costs of insomnia of over $1,200 to the individual with insomnia.
Some of the most frequent consequences associated with chronic insomnia are:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depressed mood
- Difficulty concentrating
With chronic insomnia, people may experience greater risks for:
- Chronic nausea
- Obesity
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Major depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Stroke
Research also suggests that untreated insomnia may have a role in the onset and/or progression of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and diabetes. Additionally, people with short sleep duration insomnia (less than five hours per night) are at increased risk for heart and neurological issues as compared to insomniacs with longer sleep duration (greater than five hours per night).
The cost of insomnia on individuals and the population
People with untreated insomnia not only have greater social and health costs, but they have greater monetary costs too, as insomnia places a significant financial burden on both the individual and society. Insomnia contributes to:
- Increased rates of absenteeism
- Increased healthcare utilization
- Decreased work productivity
- Increased automotive accidents
Treating insomnia is well worth it as it can negatively impact your social relationships, work productivity and mental and physical health.