In this Article

• What is insomnia?
• What causes insomnia?
• What are other causes of insomnia?
• What are the risk factors for insomnia?
• What are the symptoms of insomnia?
• When should I call the doctor about insomnia?
• How is insomnia diagnosed?
• How is insomnia treated?
• What are non-medical treatments for insomnia?
• What is sleep hygiene?
• How can stimulus control help with insomnia?
• What is sleep restriction?
• What medications are used to treat insomnia?
• What is the outlook for insomnia?
• Insomnia At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Insomnia - Describe Your Treatment
• Insomnia Glossary
• Insomnia Index

What is the outlook for insomnia?

Insomnia overall has a favorable outlook. Many cases of insomnia are related to transient situational stresses and are easily reversed when the situation is resolved. In cases of long-standing (chronic) insomnia, any medical or psychiatric cause needs to be assessed and treated. Medical and non-medical home remedies are available for treating insomnia and are generally successful.

Insomnia At A Glance

• Insomnia is a condition characterized by poor quality or quantity of sleep, despite adequate opportunity to sleep, which could lead to daytime functional impairment.
  
  
• Many medical and psychiatric conditions may be responsible for causing insomnia.
  
  
• Insomnia may, at times, be unrelated to any underlying condition.
  
  
• There are several useful non-medical behavioral techniques available for treating insomnia.
  
  
• Medications are widely used to treat insomnia in conjunction with non-medical strategies.
  
  
• Sleep specialists are medical doctors who can play an important role in evaluating and treating long-standing (chronic) insomnia.

Insomnia - Describe Your Treatment

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