Jet Lag

Air travel across time zones often causes insomnia. After long plane trips, a day of adjustment is usually needed for each time zone crossed. Traveling west to earlier times seems to be less traumatic than going east to a later time because it is easier to lengthen a circadian phase than to shorten it.

Effect of Light and Other Environmental Disruptions

Light, noise, and uncomfortable temperatures can cause sleeplessness. Depending on the time of day, too much or too little light can disrupt sleep.

• Excessive Light at Night. A person's biologic circadian clock is triggered by sunlight, and very bright artificial light maintains wakefulness.
• Insufficient Light during the Day. Insufficient exposure to light during the day, as occurs in some disabled elderly patients who rarely venture outside, may also be linked with sleep disturbances.

Other Causes of Short-Term or Transient Insomnia

Caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can interfere with falling asleep.

Nicotine. Nicotine is also a stimulant, but quitting smoking itself can lead to transient insomnia.

Partner's Sleep Habits. A partner’s sleep habits, including snoring, can impair one’s own sleep.

Medications. Insomnia is a side effect of many common medications, including over-the-counter preparations that contain caffeine. People who suspect their medications are causing them to lose sleep should check with their doctors or pharmacists.

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Review Date: 06/11/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)