Insomnia

Insomnia is an inability to fall asleep or the inability to stay asleep for an extended period of time. It is a sleep disorder that, if left untreated, can have severe health consequences for sufferers.

Insomnia can be caused by a wide range of factors, including lifestyle, diet (particularly alcohol and caffeine), illness, mental disorders, changes in hormones and medication. Insomnia itself can be a factor in causing other health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and depression.

There are three distinct types of insomnia. Transient insomnia can last from a single night to several weeks. It is very common and can be caused by something as seemingly innocent as jet lag or anxiety about an upcoming event. Acute insomnia is more severe. It is described as a frequent inability to get a good night’s sleep that lasts for several weeks or perhaps even several months. Chronic insomnia is the most serious type. It is characterized by a nightly inability to get a good sleep that persists for over a month.

Drugs can be used to treat insomnia, but medication is generally not a good long-term solution. Many insomniacs rely on sleeping pills in order to get rest. This is quite dangerous because such drugs can lead to dependence. If you believe you are suffering from insomnia, contact a healthcare professional.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. As many as 60 million Americans may suffer from insomnia. Women are more likely to be affected than men.
  2. The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from insomnia. Half of all seniors report that they have frequent trouble sleeping.
  3. How much sleep you need varies from person to person. Most adults require seven or eight hours of sleep in order to be fully rested, but some may only need five or six.
  4. Parasomnia is a sleep disorder that is closely linked to insomnia, but it’s not the same thing. Parasomnia is characterized by disruptive events that occur during sleep, such as nightmares, sleepwalking and REM behavior disorder, which causes people to move (often violently) in response to what’s happening in their dreams.
  5. To improve the quality of your sleep, try going to bed at the same time every night, getting exercise during the day (at least six hours before you go to bed) and avoiding food and caffeinated drinks before bed.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Why can’t I get a good sleep?
  2. How can I change my lifestyle in order to improve the quality of sleep that I get?
  3. What are my options with regards to treating my insomnia with medication?

Also Known As: Sleep disorder, sleeplessness, inability to sleep, chronic sleeplessness

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