1. Slideshow Pictures: Insomnia -- 10 Tips to Avoid Insomnia
2. Sleep Slideshow: Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep
3. Sleep Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ

Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Doctors associate a variety of signs and symptoms with insomnia. Often, the symptoms intertwine with those of other medical or mental conditions.

• Some people with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night. The problem may begin with stress. Then, as you begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem may become chronic.
  
  
• Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:
  
  
  • Poor concentration and focus
    
    
  • Difficulty with memory
    
    
  • Impaired motor coordination (being uncoordinated)
    
    
  • Irritability and impaired social interaction
    
    
  • Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers
  
  
• People may worsen these daytime symptoms by their own attempts to treat the symptoms.
  
  
  • Alcohol and antihistamines may compound the problems with sleep deprivation.
    
    
  • Others have tried nonprescription sleep aids.

Many people with insomnia do not complain of daytime sleepiness, and in fact, they may have difficulty falling asleep during intentional daytime naps.

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