by Fiona Smith

Created on: June 11, 2008

Lack of sleep is as varied as each of our DNA. Insomnia Pathology indicates that causes are either psychological, physical, biological, environmental, or a combination of any of these four factors. For some people it can be a short-term disruption (transient or acute); for others it can be debilitating and long-term (Chronic). Determining the etiology of sleep deprivation requires thorough examination of a person's history and their physical well, or non-well-being.

Sleep Clinic specialists usually cite life-style as the number one contributing factor in sleep deprivation. Never underestimate the power of stress. Our ability to cope with life's curve-balls , demands of work, family, friends, society and notions of success contribute to disruptions in the various levels of rest that our bodies need daily. Consider that the demands of today's way of living (possibly due to double incomes; financial debts; work hours & expectations; juggling children & spouses' needs; household work & our innate need for social lives) actually permeate our sleep cycles and it becomes pretty obvious that we might need to revisit HOW we live. People no longer wake up, grow their food & families, eat the fruits of their labours and go to bed according to when the sun rises and sets, and the seasons dictate. Life's labours, having been industrialized to maximize productivity and profits, mean more mental woes & strife when our heads hit the pillow. Machines don't need rest; humans do.

In response to the industrialization of life and urbanization of humankind, Medicine has helped humankind (as a well-oiled machine) become more efficient, live longer and cope with MORE. Iatrogenic illness (sickness created by Western/Allopathic Medicine) is the third leading cause of death in America (according to the American Medical Association) BUT brings acute relief to soaring cases of depression, mental illness, heart disease, cancer, anxiety, headaches, digestive disturbances and alarming numbers of allergies. However, there is a cost to this environmental factor called Medicine. Aside from the deaths of 225,000 Americans (only one demographic) annually, and 106,000 of those deaths being specifically drug-related, sleep deprivation is one of the major side-effects of a multitude of medicines. Left long enough, insomnia (called Chronic Insomnia) can kill a person - most likely due to impaired functioning. Interestingly 40% of Insomnia sufferers are women compared to 30% Men (not sure who the other

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