Insomnia

Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep Slideshow

• What is insomnia?
• What are the types of insomnia?
  • Insomnia overview
  • Insomnia outlook
• What causes insomnia?
• Who is at risk for insomnia?
• What are insomnia symptoms and signs?
• How is insomnia diagnosed?
• How is insomnia treated?
• Key points

Ten Tips to Avoid Insomnia and Get a Good Night's Sleep Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D. Medical Editor: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D. Transient, or short–term, insomnia is inadequate or poor–quality sleep lasting anywhere from one night to a few weeks. Transient insomnia can be a single episode or recurring episodes of insomnia separated by periods of normal sleep. The following suggestions are intended to help overcome transient insomnia and maximize the chance of getting a healthy night's sleep: Make your bedroom an inviting place. Keep the room free of clutter and distractions. Be sure you have the right bed and mattress for your needs. The wrong mattress can lead to musculoskeletal problems and sleep disturbances. Use the bed only for sleeping and sex. Avoid use of the bed for watching TV, eating, working, or any other activities. If you do wish to use the bed for a bit of nighttime reading, read only pleasure books in bed. Therapists often use "reconditioning" as part of a treatment plan for insomnia. With this method, people are "reconditioned" to associate the bed with sleep. If you find yourself unable to sleep at all, get out of bed and move to another room, so that you only associate the bed with sleep and not with wakefulness. Read the rest of the ten tips to a good night's sleep » Top Searched Insomnia Terms: insomnia treatment, causes of insomnia, meditation, sleep apnea, menopause, Zoloft for insomnia, types of insomnia, sleep problem, insomnia symptoms, sleeping disorders

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. Some people with insomnia may fall asleep easily but wake up too soon. Other people may have the opposite problem, or they have trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep. The end result is poor-quality sleep that doesn't leave you feeling refreshed when you wake up.

Types of Insomnia

There are two types of insomnia. The most common type is called secondary insomnia. More than 8 out of 10 people with insomnia are believed to have secondary insomnia. Secondary means that the insomnia is a symptom or a side-effect of some other problem. Some of the problems that can cause secondary insomnia include:

• Certain illnesses, such as some heart and lung diseases

• Pain, anxiety, and depression

• Medicines that delay or disrupt sleep as a side-effect

• Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that affect sleep

• Another sleep disorder, such as restless legs syndrome; a poor sleep environment; or a change in sleep routine

In contrast, primary insomnia is not a side-effect of medicines or another medical problem. It is its own disorder, and generally persists for least 1 month or longer.

Ten Tips to Avoid Insomnia and Get a Good Night's Sleep Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D. Medical Editor: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D. Transient, or short–term, insomnia is inadequate or poor–quality sleep lasting anywhere from one night to a few weeks. Transient insomnia can be a single episode or recurring episodes of insomnia separated by periods of normal sleep. The following suggestions are intended to help overcome transient insomnia and maximize the chance of getting a healthy night's sleep: Make your bedroom an inviting place. Keep the room free of clutter and distractions. Be sure you have the right bed and mattress for your needs. The wrong mattress can lead to musculoskeletal problems and sleep disturbances. Use the bed only for sleeping and sex. Avoid use of the bed for watching TV, eating, working, or any other activities. If you do wish to use the bed for a bit of nighttime reading, read only pleasure books in bed. Therapists often use "reconditioning" as part of a treatment plan for insomnia. With this method, people are "reconditioned" to associate the bed with sleep. If you find yourself unable to sleep at all, get out of bed and move to another room, so that you only associate the bed with sleep and not with wakefulness. Read the rest of the ten tips to a good night's sleep » Top Searched Insomnia Terms: insomnia treatment, causes of insomnia, meditation, sleep apnea, menopause, Zoloft for insomnia, types of insomnia, sleep problem, insomnia symptoms, sleeping disorders

Overview

Insomnia is a common health problem. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Long-term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable; have trouble paying attention, learning, and remembering; and not do your best on the job or at school. Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family.

Insomnia can be mild to severe depending on how often it occurs and for how long. Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights per week for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short-term or acute insomnia.

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