Insomnia is a common problem that affects almost everyone at some point. Without enough sleep, you may feel sleepy during the day. This can make you more likely to have an accident and also makes driving dangerous. You may also feel grumpy from lack of sleep. Some people have trouble remembering things, don't get as much done, and don't enjoy being with family and friends.
People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
- Waking up too early in the morning
- Feeling tired upon waking
There are two types of insomnia: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia.
- Primary insomnia: Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem.
- Secondary insomnia: Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition (like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn); pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using (like alcohol).
Acute vs. Chronic Insomnia
Insomnia also varies in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. It can be short-term (acute insomnia) or can last a long time (chronic insomnia). It can also come and go, with periods of time when a person has no sleep problems. Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. Insomnia is called chronic when a person has insomnia at least three nights a week for a month or longer.
Causes of Insomnia
Causes of acute insomnia can include:
- Significant life stress (job loss or change, death of a loved one, divorce, moving).
- Illness.
- Emotional or physical discomfort.
- Environmental factors like noise, light, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold) that interfere with sleep.
- Some medications (for example those used to treat colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma) may interfere with sleep.
- Interferences in normal sleep schedule (jet lag or switching from a day to night shift, for example).
Causes of chronic insomnia include:
- Depression and/or anxiety.
- Chronic stress.
- Pain or discomfort at night.
- Sleepiness during the day.
- General tiredness.
- Irritability.
- Problems with concentration or memory.
How is it treated?
Treatment for insomnia focuses on the reason why you don't sleep well. If you have a medical problem, such as chronic pain, or an emotional problem, such as stress, treating that problem may help you sleep better. You may be able to sleep better by making some small changes. It may help to:
- Go to bed at the same time each night.
- Get up at the same time each day.
- Avoid caffeine or alcohol for several hours before bedtime.
- Get regular exercise. But make sure you finish the exercise at least 4 hours before you go to bed.
- Avoid daytime naps.
Insomnia is very common and can affect people at any stage in life. One recent study reported that about 1 out of 5 children has insomnia.4 It is more common in women and older people. Almost half of older adults are affected by sleep problems, and up to 14% use sleeping pills regularly.5
Sleep patterns also change as you get older, and many older adults sleep less than younger adults. If you are an older adult, you may have a harder time falling asleep, and your sleep may not be as deep. Health problems and medicines can also affect how much or how well you sleep. But having trouble getting to sleep or not sleeping well is not normal, no matter what your age. If you are having trouble sleeping, discuss it with your doctor at your next checkup.
