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f you have insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep, staying
asleep, waking too early, or getting good quality sleep that leaves you
feeling rested. Instead, you don’t feel refreshed when you wake up.
During the day, you’re sleepy and tired and have trouble functioning.
Many Americans struggle
with sleep problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), over 25 percent of Americans don’t get enough sleep from time to
time, but almost 10% have chronic insomnia.Insomnia can be acute, meaning short-term. Or it can come in a long-lasting, chronic form. When insomnia comes at least three nights a week for one month or longer, doctors consider it chronic.
Insomnia can also come and go, with periods when you have no sleep problems.
Two kinds of insomnia exist:Types of Insomnia
Primary insomnia: Sleep problems are not directly connected with any other health problem. Instead, they are triggered by major stress, emotional upset, travel, and work schedules. But even after such causes go away, the insomnia may persist. You can also develop primary insomnia because of certain habits, such as taking naps or worrying about sleep.
Secondary insomnia: Sleep problems occur because of another issue, such as a health condition or disease, chronic pain from arthritis or headaches, medications, or alcohol, caffeine, and other substances.
Many factors can cause acute or chronic insomnia:What Are the Causes of Insomnia?
- Stress (including job change or loss, moving, death of a loved one)
- Medical condition or disease (including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, asthma, cancer, heartburn, heart failure, overactive thyroid, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and other health problems)
- Pain or physical discomfort
- Medications
- Noise, light or extreme temperatures
- Interference with one’s regular sleep schedule (including jet lag or switching work shifts)
- Substance abuse
If you have insomnia, you may have some of these symptoms:What Are the Symptoms of Insomnia?
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking up too early
- Feeling tired and irritable
- Daytime sleepiness
- Mood changes
- Lack of motivation
- Attention, concentration, or memory problems
- Making errors at work, school, or while driving
- Tension headaches or stomach aches
- Frustration or worry about sleep
To diagnose insomnia, your doctor will ask about your sleep patterns and habits, stress levels, medical history, level of physical activity, and use of medications, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and illegal substances. He or she might also ask you to keep a detailed log of your sleep habits, including sleep and wake times, napping, and any specific problems with sleeping.How is Insomnia Diagnosed?
Your doctor will also do a physical exam to look for health disorders that can cause insomnia.
If your insomnia persists even after treatment, your doctor may refer you to a sleep disorders specialist for an evaluation. If the specialist suspects a disorder, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, you may need to do an overnight sleep study at home or at a special sleep center.
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