Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders and is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This overview defines insomnia and details the causes, symptoms and treatment options for this sleep disorder.
Insomnia refers to trouble falling or staying asleep. It can affect someone for a short time, such as a few nights or weeks. In other cases, the sleep disorder is chronic and can last for months or years.
There are a few main types including primary and secondary. The sleep disorder is considered primary (or idiopathic insomnia) when it is not caused by or associated with a medical condition, psychiatric problem or medication. Secondary insomnia, on the other hand, is due to a medical condition, such as COPD or chronic pain, that is interfering with sleep.1
"Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep and can be short-lived or long-term"
In some instances, the cause of difficulty falling asleep cannot always be easily identified. But in other cases, it might be apparent what is causing problems falling or staying asleep. Below are a few common causes.
Learn more about insomnia causes.
It can affect anyone at any time in their life. But certain factors may increase your risk. For example, women are more likely than men to develop the sleep disorder.2
According to the Mayo Clinic, people over the age of 60 are also at a higher risk, possibly due to changes in sleep patterns as you age. Having an irregular sleep schedule is also a risk factor. For instance, if you go to bed at all different times or work different shifts, which disrupts your regular sleep hours, it can increase your chance of developing the sleep disorder.
The severity of symptoms may also vary. The sleep disorder can have an accumulative effect, which means the longer it goes on, the more severe symptoms may be. For instance, not getting a good night’s rest may leave you a little tired the next day. But if you don’t sleep well for a week or a month, you might feel the effects of sleep deprivation more severely.3
The treatment may depend on the cause. For example, treating an underlying medical condition may also cure it. Also, if a certain medication is to blame, switching to a different drug may help.
In other cases, over the counter or prescription medication may help treat it, especially in the short-term.4 Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can also help some people overcome insomnia by decreasing anxiety and targeting the thoughts that cause poor sleep.
In certain instances, self-help strategies may be all it takes to treat the sleep disorder. Following these non-medication-based actions is good first step to dealing with sleep problems.
If these actions don't work, talk to your doctor as you may have issues that need to be addressed.
Insomnia is a condition characterized by habitually having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep.
This doesn’t mean that if you have a busy social life and choose not to make sleep a priority, you have insomnia. Insomnia is present when you give yourself the opportunity to sleep the recommended 7-8 hours per night, and have a hard time falling or staying asleep during this time.
Insomnia is not often a health condition on its own, but many times secondary to another condition, such as sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression, anxiety, etc.
Here are important questions to ask yourself that may be an indicator of whether or not you have insomnia:
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you might have insomnia.
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to be diagnosed and treated for insomnia. Your doctor may perform a physical exam and further testing.
Your doctor may have you keep a sleep diary to track your sleep patterns. This is usually done for at least a couple weeks. Things you’ll track in your sleep diary include:
Your doctor may want you to have a sleep test known as a polysomnogram. This test is usually performed overnight in a hospital or sleep clinic and monitors brain activity, body movements, breathing, and blood-oxygen levels.
Other ways to monitor how much and how well you’re sleeping is by using technology.
Sleep trackers can be wearable or not wearable, and there are several options now on the market. They can include smartwatches, smartphone sleep apps, devices to keep at the bedside, or devices to wear during sleep.
Actigraphy is used to monitor your cycles of rest and activity. It’s a small sensor, about the size of a small watch, and is worn on the wrist for about a week or more.
Technology can be a great starting point to get a general idea of how well you’re sleeping, but if you find that you may have insomnia, talk to your physician to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Keeping a sleep diary could be greatly beneficial in the identification and diagnosis of insomnia.
Sometimes, it is necessary to have sleep studies performed to determine if the sleep disorder and frequent awakenings throughout the night is caused by sleep apnea, as this sleep disorder is a common symptom of that condition.
Treatment for acute insomnia is relatively straightforward, and oftentimes does not require anything extensive. Usually, mild insomnia can be treated with practicing better sleep hygiene (going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, for example). If difficulty falling asleep is interrupting daytime functioning, then sleeping pills and sleep aids like melatonin are sometimes prescribed. New therapies that are being studied include the use of CBD for sleep.
Chronic insomnia or secondary insomnia is a little more difficult to treat, as the provider will first need to discover and treat the underlying cause. For the most part, if the primary problem is under control, then the symptoms will resolve on its own; however, if insomnia continues after the primary conditions are treated, then behavioral techniques are then employed, which can include anything from lifestyle changes to learning pre-bedtime meditation techniques.
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© 2021 American Sleep Association.
It was really helpful when you said that symptoms can be forgetfulness and daytime sleepiness. For the past couple of weeks, I have been dealing with these symptoms and it has been very hard for me to fall asleep at night, and I was wondering what the issue might be. I'll have to look into seeing a professional for treatment for insomnia if I do have it.
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Great this article helped me a lot I don't know why I was facing little problem in sleeping now I can work on it to get better sleep!
Very helpful. I will check for insomnia with my doctor.
My insomnia started back in October of 2019 . I have tried all sleeping medications and now I'm on ativan for sleep and anxiety I'm still not geting any sleep may be 2hrs . I need help I'm dont know how long I can keep doing this every day.
I've been having trouble sleeping lately and honestly, I have no idea what other remedies shall I do. Anyways, I'm glad you shared how sticking to the same bedtime and waking the same time each day could gradually improve my sleep. I'll try this out, but if I don't see any changes, then I'll probably have to consult from a neurology specialist.
My name is Eric Thompson from the African-American male 5 7 years of age living with HIV / AIDS 3 total hip replacements and I suffer from insomnia I tried marijuana I've tried chamomile nothing works I go to bed at 7 p.m. and I wake up at 2 and I stay up until the sun comes up can you help me please please help me I have no one to reach out to thank you
I'm suffering insomnia almost a year.i can't sleep the whole night. I dont smoke, I stop dringking alcohol for almost 3 years, I go to bed at 9pm but still I can't fall sleep.my Doctor gave me sleeping pills like (Jovia and Victus) but when I stop taking the medicine, I can't sleep again. What should I do to cure my insomia. What is the best natural remedy to go back my good sleep at bed time? Pls! Help me...
I have a problem with interrupted sleep on the days that I do my cardio activities (morning/afternoon). I am awakened every 2 hrs during the night with a shock-like feeling and then have difficulty in falling back to sleep. Has anyone had a similar problem and, if so, what has worked to help?
I have fibromyalgia. A sleep study revealed alpha-wave intrusion and borderline sleep apnea (only one time for the second diagnosis in three studies). Interventions for both the FM and the sleep have not helped. Sleep medications, sleep hygiene, FM medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, exercise, and trigger point injections have all not helped. I still wake up dozens of times nightly and am aware of it. What more can I try? I have gained weight, become T2D, and have lost much career ground and wages due to this. Help!
Help me please!!!!
I am desperate for sleep. I currently take 3 klonopine and 3 ambient and still cannot fall to sleep. I am lost and loosing the fight. I just cannot go on.
JP, stay away from the unknown brands of products that people are hocking on the internet. Much of it is junk. Stick with a brand that you have heard of.. orbetter, try the non-medication sleep hygiene list first.
What are the best treatments for insomnia?
The best therapy for insomnia is usually non-medication based. CBT is the most popular right now.
Help in sleeping for seniors
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