Sleep Problems

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a person experiences poor sleep or has trouble sleeping. Insomnia can involve: Difficulty falling asleep Difficulty staying asleep (that is, waking up many times during the night), without necessarily having had any difficulty falling asleep Waking up too early in the morning Not feeling refreshed after a night’s

Over 90 percent of people experience some degree of insomnia at some point in their lives. Studies indicate that insomnia affects one in three adults every year in the United States. Several factors increase a person’s chances of developing insomnia: Gender. In general, insomnia is more common in women than men. However, older men have more

There are many possible causes of insomnia. Sometimes there is one main cause, but often several factors interacting together will cause a sleep disturbance. The causes of insomnia include: Psychological causes Physical causes Temporary events or factors Psychological Causes In many people, insomnia can be the result of: Anxiety, a condition in which individuals feel

Insomnia is almost always the result of some other problem and is not an ‘illness’ in its own right. Discovering its cause is the most important step in relieving it. Your doctor will ask questions such as: How would you describe your sleep problem (for example, do you have trouble falling asleep, or is the

Sleep research has led to major advances in the treatment of insomnia. Many experts now consider sleeping pills to be overused, as well as dangerous because they can become addictive. They suggest that medication be used a last option, after other treatments have been tried. Non-medicine treatment options include: Physical relaxation Mental relaxation Other techniques

Sleep medications should not be taken lightly. Low-dose sleep medication can help short-term insomnia but is rarely helpful for long-term sleep problems. Many experts today recommend only trying medications as a last resort, after other treatments for insomnia have failed, because they can be addictive and can have serious side effects. Hypnotics (sedatives, minor tranquilizers, and

Prevention of sleeplessness is very much dependent on your ability to relax and learn techniques for sleeping well. How-To Information: Here are some tips to help improve your sleep: Learn to use physical and mental relaxation techniques. Establish a regular sleep schedule. This involves setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time and making every attempt

Here are some frequently asked questions related to insomnia. Q: What is the right amount of sleep I should get? A: Since everyone has different sleep needs, there is no “correct” amount of sleep. On average, most people need between seven and nine hours of good quality sleep each night in order to feel alert the

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which individuals experience poor sleep or have trouble sleeping. Poor sleep for any length of time can lead to mood disturbances, lack of motivation, decreased attention span, trouble with concentration, low levels of energy, and increased

Here are definitions of medical terms related to insomnia. Early morning awakening: A sleep disorder in which people fall asleep normally but wake up several hours after and are unable to fall asleep again. Insomnia: An ongoing inability to sleep or to remain asleep throughout the night. Melatonin: A hormone (a chemical produced by the body and carried

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on insomnia. National Center on Sleep Disorders Research NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute  Phone: 301-435-0199 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncsdr/index.htm Books The Complete Book of Sleep, by Dianne Hales (Addison-Wesley, Reading, Ma., 1981) Insomnia and Other Sleeping Problems, by Peter Lambley (Pinnacle Books, New York, 1982) A