Insomnia
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
- 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.
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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