Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder in which people have trouble sleeping. They may have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep as long as desired. Insomnia is typically followed by daytime sleepiness, low energy, irritability, and a depressed mood. It may result in an increased risk of motor vehicle collisions, as well as problems focusing and learning. Insomnia can be short term, lasting for days or weeks, or long term, lasting more than a month.
Frequently Asked Question
- What are the 3 types of insomnia?
Three types of insomnia are acute, transient, and chronic insomnia. Insomnia is defined as repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate time and opportunity for sleep and results in some form of daytime impairment.
- How many hours do insomniacs sleep?
How much sleep is enough varies from person to person, but most adults need seven to eight hours a night. At some point, many adults experience short-term (acute) insomnia, which lasts for days or weeks.
- Will insomnia go away?
While acute insomnia will often go away on its own, it can still have dangerous effects. If you have chronic insomnia, there are steps you can take to try and lessen your symptoms.
Diagnosis
Depending on your situation, the diagnosis of insomnia and the search for its cause may include:
Sleep study. If you don’t know the cause of insomnia, or if you have signs of other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, you may need to spend the night in a sleep center. Tests have been conducted to monitor and record various physical activities during your sleep, including brain waves, breathing, heartbeat, eye movements, and body movements.
Sleep habits review. In addition to asking you sleep-related questions, your doctor may have you complete a questionnaire to determine your sleep-wake pattern and your level of daytime sleepiness. You may also be asked to keep a sleep diary for a couple of weeks.
Physical exam. If the cause of insomnia is unknown, your doctor may perform a physical exam to look for signs of medical problems that may be related to insomnia. Sometimes, blood tests may be done to check for thyroid problems or other diseases that may be related to poor sleep.
Treatment
Changing your sleep habits and addressing any issues that may be associated with insomnia, such as stress, medical conditions or medications, can restore restful sleep for many people. If these measures don’t work, your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, medications or both, to help improve relaxation and sleep.
Acute insomnia may not require treatment. If you are tired and have difficulty performing daily activities, your doctor may prescribe sleeping pills in a short period of time. Quick and effective but short-lived medications can help you avoid problems like sleepiness the next day. Do not use over-the-counter sleeping pills for insomnia. They may have side effects, and their effectiveness tends to deteriorate over time. For chronic insomnia, you will need to treat conditions or health problems that keep yourself awake. Your doctor may also recommend behavioral therapy. This can help you change things that make insomnia worse and learn how to promote sleep.
Lifestyle and home remedies
No matter what your age, insomnia usually is treatable. The key often lies in changes to your routine during the day and when you go to bed. These tips may help.
Basic tips:
- Avoid large meals and beverages before bedStay active
- Check your medications
- Avoid or limit naps
- Stick to a sleep schedule
At bedtime:
- Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep
- Find ways to relax
- Avoid trying too hard to sleep
- Get out of bed when you’re not sleeping
