Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, and Expert Treatment by Dr. Kunal Bahrani
In today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, sleeplessness has quietly become one of the most common health issues. Many people brush off sleep problems as minor inconveniences, but chronic insomnia can severely impact your brain, mood, memory, heart health, and overall quality of life.
According to recent health surveys, nearly one-third of urban adults in India suffer from sleep disturbances, and a significant percentage of them experience insomnia — either struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up too early and feel unrested.
Dr. Kunal Bahrani, Chairman & Group Director – Neurology at Yatharth Hospitals, Faridabad, emphasizes that insomnia isn’t just a lifestyle issue — it’s a neurological and behavioral disorder that can be treated effectively once its root causes are understood.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or waking up too early, despite having the opportunity to rest. The condition often results in fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, and low performance during the day.
There are two main types:
- Acute insomnia – short-term sleep trouble due to stress, illness, or environmental changes.
- Chronic insomnia – long-term sleep disturbance lasting more than three nights a week for over three months.
Common Causes of Insomnia
Dr. Bahrani explains that insomnia usually develops due to a combination of neurological, psychological, and lifestyle factors.
- Stress and Anxiety:
Work pressure, family issues, or financial stress often trigger sleep problems. - Depression and Mental Health Conditions:
Mood disorders are strongly linked with disturbed sleep patterns. - Neurological Disorders:
Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, restless legs syndrome, and chronic pain can interfere with sleep. - Medications and Stimulants:
Certain medicines for hypertension, asthma, or depression, as well as caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol, can disrupt normal sleep cycles. - Poor Sleep Hygiene:
Irregular sleep schedules, excessive screen time, and late-night meals affect the brain’s melatonin rhythm. - Hormonal or Metabolic Disorders:
Thyroid imbalance, menopause, and diabetes can also trigger insomnia.
Symptoms of Insomnia
You may be suffering from insomnia if you regularly experience:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up frequently during the night
- Early morning awakenings
- Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
- Poor concentration and memory
- Low mood, irritability, or anxiety
- Lack of motivation and reduced performance
Chronic insomnia can weaken your immune system, increase blood pressure, and even raise the risk of cardiovascular disease — making early diagnosis crucial.
Neurological Connection: The Brain and Sleep
Sleep is controlled by a complex interaction between the brainstem, hypothalamus, and neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.
When there’s an imbalance in these neurochemicals — due to stress, trauma, or disease — your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) is disrupted.
As a leading neurologist in Faridabad, Dr. Kunal Bahrani emphasizes evaluating these neurochemical imbalances through neurological examinations, sleep studies (polysomnography), and hormone profiling to get a clear picture of the underlying cause.
Diagnosis of Insomnia
A detailed diagnosis involves:
- Medical history & neurological examination
- Sleep diary tracking (duration, timing, quality of sleep)
- Sleep studies (Polysomnography)
- Actigraphy (tracking sleep patterns via wearable devices)
- Blood tests for hormonal and metabolic assessment
Dr. Bahrani’s team at Yatharth Hospitals, Faridabad follows a holistic approach, combining advanced diagnostic tools with personalized neurological evaluation.
Treatment of Insomnia: A Holistic Neurological Approach
Dr. Bahrani believes in addressing both the mind and brain to achieve lasting recovery from insomnia.
- Behavioral and Lifestyle Therapy
- Establishing a fixed bedtime routine
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol
- Limiting screen exposure before bed
- Practicing meditation or deep-breathing exercises
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
CBT-I is considered the gold standard for long-term management. It helps patients unlearn habits that perpetuate insomnia and retrain the brain for healthy sleep patterns. - Medication (if needed)
Short-term use of sedative-hypnotics, melatonin supplements, or anti-anxiety agents may be prescribed — but always under medical supervision. - Neurological Treatments
If insomnia is linked to neurological disorders like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or depression, specific treatments like CPAP therapy, dopaminergic medications, or neurostimulation therapies may be used. - Advanced Sleep Medicine
At Yatharth Hospitals, Faridabad, the Neurology Department offers comprehensive sleep analysis, EEG monitoring, and personalized neurotherapy, under the supervision of Dr. Bahrani.
When to See a Neurologist
You should consult a neurologist if:
- You’re unable to sleep properly for more than 3 nights a week for over a month
- You feel mentally foggy or anxious due to poor sleep
- You snore heavily, gasp during sleep, or feel unrested in the morning
- You have existing neurological or psychiatric conditions
Early consultation with an expert like Dr. Kunal Bahrani, one of the best neurologists in Faridabad, ensures timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Preventive Tips for Better Sleep
- Maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule
- Avoid late-night gadget use
- Exercise regularly, but not close to bedtime
- Create a dark, quiet, and cool sleep environment
- Practice relaxation or mindfulness techniques
Why Choose Dr. Kunal Bahrani at Yatharth Hospitals, Faridabad
Dr. Bahrani is widely regarded as one of the top neurologists in Faridabad, with vast experience in managing neurological and sleep disorders.
At Yatharth Hospitals, his team offers:
- Comprehensive sleep diagnostics
- Multidisciplinary approach combining neurology, psychiatry, and behavioral science
- Patient-centered, personalized treatment plans
- Advanced neuro-monitoring and neurostimulation therapies
FAQs
Q1. Is insomnia a mental or neurological problem?
It’s both. Insomnia often results from a mix of psychological stress and neurological imbalance.
Q2. Can insomnia be cured completely?
Yes. With the right treatment, most patients regain normal sleep cycles.
Q3. Is medication the only solution?
No. Behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and neurological evaluation are more effective long-term approaches.
Q4. How much sleep do adults really need?
Most adults need between 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Q5. When should I see a neurologist for insomnia?
If sleep problems persist for more than 3 weeks or affect your daily function, it’s time to see a specialist.