Which medical condition is associated with insomnia?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical condition that is directly associated with insomnia. OSA is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, which leads to frequent awakenings and disturbances in sleep continuity. As a result, individuals with OSA often experience poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and challenges in maintaining restorative sleep, which can culminate in insomnia.

While rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, and asthma can contribute to sleep disturbances, their relationships to insomnia are generally indirect and can vary widely among individuals. Rheumatoid arthritis might cause pain that interrupts sleep, while chronic kidney disease can lead to restless leg syndrome and nocturnal urination, both of which can also disrupt sleep. Asthma may exacerbate at night due to symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath. However, none of these conditions directly manifest in the same way as obstructive sleep apnea, which leads specifically to significant interruptions in sleep due to breathing difficulties. Thus, with OSA being well-established as a primary cause of insomnia, it is recognized in clinical settings as being closely linked to sleep-related disorders.