Getting a good night’s sleep might seem like a luxury. It’s not — it’s a fundamental pillar of health. Unfortunately, countless Canadians live with chronic insomnia, causing them to miss out on the myriad benefits of restorative sleep.
More than just leaving us feeling tired, chronic insomnia affects focus, productivity, and mental health, and can lead to longer-term health complications like heart disease, depression, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and more. So why aren’t we talking about it more?
Understanding insomnia
Chronic insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, staying aasleep, or waking too early at least three nights per week for three months, accompanied by impairments in daytime functioning. Good sleep isn’t just about how many hours you get, either — it’s about the quality of sleep and how it impacts you the next day.
Chronic insomnia is predicted to affect 8.8 per cent of Canadian adults, or nearly 1 in 11. Its consequences are severe yet under-discussed: impaired cognitive function, decreased workplace productivity, increased injuries, accidents, and a higher risk of comorbid mood disorders and other health complications. Chronic insomnia also often co-exists with other health conditions, further complicating the management of both.
A heavy burden
Andrea Rich, a Milton, Ont.-based realtor and mother of three, lives with chronic insomnia and also suffers from migraine. “Sleep has been a fleeting illusion,” she said. “Most people slip into it effortlessly, but I lay in bed at night staring at my ceiling, listening to my husband sleep. No matter how exhausted I am, my body refuses to surrender.”
Rich typically sleeps just three hours nightly, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted. “It impacts my work, and my personal relationships are strained. I’m short with my family and other people,” she said. “I feel like I’m in a fog all the time. It’s not easy to function when your brain isn’t working at full capacity.”
Lack of restorative sleep worsens other conditions, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. “As a migraine sufferer, I need sleep and my neurological disorder makes that need even greater,” said Rich. “You want to sleep to numb the pain, but you can’t.”
Raising awareness
Sleep disturbances can be influenced by various factors, including hormonal changes. Menopause, for instance, can impact sleep quality, leading to or exacerbating chronic insomnia.
A recent sleep study from a community-driven platform through Menopause Chicks revealed that more than two thirds (71 per cent) of respondents (women primarily aged 45 to 64) experience poor sleep three or more times weekly, of which one third (28 per cent) suffer daily.
“Many women assume sleep challenges are something they need to handle on their own, or that sleep will magically get better with time,” said Shirley Weir, Menopause Chicks founder. She encourages people dealing with chronic insomnia to learn more about what it is and to talk to their doctor about the best way forward.
Chronic insomnia is a real, treatable condition that deserves more attention. If you’re struggling, talk to your healthcare provider about how it is affecting you. The more we talk about it, the more awareness we generate. It’s time to make sleep a health priority.
Made possible with the support of Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Canada Ltd.
