What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia (in-SOM-ne-ah) is a common condition in
which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. This condition can range from
mild to severe, depending on how often it occurs and for how long.
Insomnia can be chronic (ongoing) or acute
(short-term). Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights a week
for more than a month. Acute insomnia lasts for less time.
Some people who have insomnia may have trouble
falling asleep. Other people may fall asleep easily but wake up too soon.
Others may have trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep.
As a result, insomnia may cause you to get too
little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. You may not feel refreshed when you
wake up.
Overview
There are two types of insomnia. The most common
type is called secondary or comorbid insomnia. This type of insomnia is a
symptom or side effect of some other problem.
More than 8 out of 10 people who have insomnia are
believed to have secondary insomnia. Certain medical conditions, medicines,
sleep disorders, and substances can cause secondary insomnia.
In contrast, primary insomnia isn't due to a medical
problem, medicines, or other substances. It is its own disorder. A number of
life changes can trigger primary insomnia, including long-lasting stress and
emotional upset.
Insomnia can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and
a lack of energy. It also can make you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable.
You may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning, and
remembering. This can prevent you from doing your best at work or school.
Insomnia also can cause other serious problems. For
example, you may feel drowsy while driving, which could lead to an
accident.
Outlook
Secondary insomnia often resolves or improves
without treatment if you can stop its causeespecially if you can correct
the problem soon after it starts. For example, if caffeine is causing your
insomnia, stopping or limiting your intake of the substance may cause your
insomnia to go away.
Lifestyle changes, including better sleep habits,
often help relieve acute insomnia. For chronic insomnia, your doctor may
recommend a type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy or
medicines.
What Causes Insomnia?
Secondary Insomnia
Secondary insomnia is the symptom or side effect of
another problem. This type of insomnia often is a symptom of an emotional,
neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder.
Emotional disorders that can cause insomnia include
depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer's disease and
Parkinson's disease are examples of common neurological disorders that can
cause insomnia.
A number of other conditions also can cause
insomnia, such as:
- Conditions that cause chronic pain, such as
arthritis and headache disorders
- Conditions that make it hard to breathe, such as
asthma
and heart
failure
- An overactive thyroid
- Gastrointestinal disorders, such as heartburn
- Stroke
- Sleep disorders, such as
restless
legs syndrome and sleep-related breathing problems
- Menopause and hot flashes
Secondary insomnia also may be a side effect of
certain medicines. For example, certain asthma medicines, such as theophylline,
and some allergy and cold medicines can cause insomnia. Beta blockers also may
cause the condition. These medicines are used to treat heart conditions.
Commonly used substances also may cause insomnia.
Examples include caffeine and other stimulants, tobacco or other nicotine
products, and alcohol or other sedatives.
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia isn't a symptom or side effect of
another medical condition. This type of insomnia usually occurs for periods of
at least 1 month.
A number of life changes can trigger primary
insomnia. It may be due to major or long-lasting stress or emotional upset.
Travel or other factors, such as work schedules that disrupt your sleep
routine, also may trigger primary insomnia.
Even if these issues are resolved, the insomnia may
not go away. Trouble sleeping may persist because of habits formed to deal with
the lack of sleep. These habits may include taking naps, worrying about sleep,
and going to bed early.
Researchers continue to try to find out whether some
people are born with a greater chance of having primary insomnia.
Who Is At Risk for Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common disorder. One in 3 adults has
insomnia sometimes. One in 10 adults has chronic insomnia.
Insomnia affects women more often than men. The
condition can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have
insomnia than younger people.
People who may be at higher risk for insomnia
include those who:
- Have a lot of stress.
- Are depressed or who have other emotional
distress, such as divorce or death of a spouse.
- Have lower incomes.
- Work at night or have frequent major shifts in
their work hours.
- Travel long distances with time changes.
- Have certain medical conditions or sleep
disorders that can disrupt sleep. For more information, see
What Causes Insomnia?
- Have an inactive lifestyle.
Young and middle-aged African Americans also may be
at increased risk for insomnia. Research shows that, compared to Whites, it
takes African Americans longer to fall asleep. They also have lighter sleep,
don't sleep as well, and take more naps. Sleep-related breathing problems also
are more common among African Americans.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia?
The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling
and/or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep. If you have insomnia, you
may:
- Lie awake for a long time before you fall
asleep
- Sleep for only short periods
- Be awake for much of the night
- Feel as if you haven't slept at all
- Wake up too early
The lack of sleep also can cause other symptoms. You
may wake up feeling tired or not well-rested, and you may feel tired during the
day. You also may have trouble focusing on tasks. Insomnia can cause you to
feel anxious, depressed, or irritable.
Insomnia may affect your daily activities and cause
serious problems. For example, you may feel drowsy while driving. Driving while
sleepy leads to more than 100,000 car crashes each year. In older women,
research shows that insomnia raises the risk of falling.
If insomnia is affecting your daily activities, see
your doctor. Treatment may help you avoid symptoms and problems related to the
condition. Also, poor sleep may be a sign of other health problems. Finding and
treating those problems could improve both your health and your sleep.
How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?
Usually, your doctor will diagnose insomnia based on
your medical and sleep histories and a physical exam. He or she also may
recommend a
sleep
study. For example, you may have a sleep study if the cause of your
insomnia is unclear.
Medical History
To find out what's causing your insomnia, your
doctor may ask whether you:
- Have any new or ongoing health problems
- Have painful injuries or health conditions, such
as arthritis
- Take any medicines, either over-the-counter or
prescription
- Have symptoms or a history of depression,
anxiety, or psychosis
- Are coping with any very stressful life events,
such as divorce or death
Your doctor also may ask questions about your work
and leisure habits. For example, he or she may ask about your work and exercise
routines; your use of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol; and your long-distance
travel history. Your answers may give clues about what's causing your
insomnia.
Your doctor also may ask whether you have any new or
ongoing work or personal problems or other stresses in your life. Also, he or
she may ask whether you have other family members who have sleep problems.
Sleep History
To get a better sense of your sleep problem, your
doctor will ask you details about your sleep habits. Before your visit, think
about how to describe your problems, including:
- How often you have trouble sleeping and how long
you've had the problem
- When you go to bed and get up on workdays and
days off
- How long it takes you to fall asleep, how often
you wake up at night, and how long it takes to fall back asleep
- Whether you snore loudly and often or wake up
gasping or feeling out of breath
- How refreshed you feel when you wake up, and how
tired you feel during the day
- How often you doze off or have trouble staying
awake during routine tasks, especially driving
To find out what's causing or worsening your
insomnia, your doctor also may ask you:
- Whether you worry about falling asleep, staying
asleep, or getting enough sleep
- What you eat or drink, and whether you take
medicines before going to bed
- What routine you follow before going to bed
- What the noise level, lighting, and temperature
are like where you sleep
- What distractions, such as a TV or computer, are
in your bedroom
To help your doctor, consider keeping a sleep diary
for 1 or 2 weeks. Write down when you go to sleep, wake up, and take naps. (For
example, you might note: Went to bed at 10 a.m.; woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn't
fall back asleep; napped after work for 2 hours.)
Also write down how much you sleep each night, as
well as how sleepy you feel at various times during the day.
You can find a sample sleep diary in the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's
"Your
Guide to Healthy Sleep."
Physical Exam
Your doctor will do a physical exam to rule out
other medical problems that might cause insomnia. You also may need
blood
tests to check for thyroid problems or other conditions that can cause
sleep problems.
Sleep Study
Your doctor may recommend a sleep study called a
polysomnogram
(PSG) if he or she thinks an underlying sleep disorder is causing your
insomnia.
A PSG usually is done while you stay overnight at a
sleep center. A PSG records brain electrical activity, eye movements, heart
rate, breathing, muscle activity, blood pressure, and blood oxygen
levels.
How Is Insomnia Treated?
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute
(short-term) insomnia. These changes may make it easier to fall asleep and stay
asleep.
A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing)
insomnia. Anxiety tends to prolong insomnia.
Several medicines also can help relieve insomnia and
re-establish a regular sleep schedule. However, if your insomnia is the symptom
or side effect of another problem, it's important to treat the underlying cause
(if possible). Your doctor also may prescribe medicine to help treat your
insomnia.
Lifestyle Changes
If you have insomnia, avoid substances that make it
worse, such as:
- Caffeine, tobacco, and other stimulants taken
too close to bedtime. Their effects can last as long as 8 hours.
- Certain over-the-counter and prescription
medicines that can disrupt sleep (for example, some cold and allergy
medicines). Talk to your doctor about which medicines won't disrupt your
sleep.
- Alcohol. An alcoholic drink before bedtime may
make it easier for you to fall asleep. However, alcohol triggers sleep that
tends to be lighter than normal. This makes it more likely that you will wake
up during the night.
Try to adopt good bedtime habits that make it easier
to fall asleep and stay asleep. Follow a routine that helps you wind down and
relax before bed. For example, read a book, listen to soothing music, or take a
hot bath.
Try to schedule your daily exercise at least 5 to 6
hours before going to bed. Don't eat heavy meals or drink a lot before
bedtime.
Make your bedroom sleep-friendly. Avoid bright
lighting while winding down. Try to limit possible distractions, such as a TV,
computer, or pet. Make sure the temperature of your bedroom is cool and
comfortable. Your bedroom also should be dark and quiet.
Go to sleep around the same time each night and wake
up around the same time each morning, even on weekends. If you can, avoid night
shifts, alternating schedules, or other things that may disrupt your sleep
schedule.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT for insomnia targets the thoughts and actions
that can disrupt sleep. This therapy encourages good sleep habits and uses
several methods to relieve sleep anxiety.
For example, relaxation training and biofeedback at
bedtime are used to reduce anxiety. These strategies help you better control
your breathing, heart rate, muscles, and mood.
CBT also works on replacing sleep anxiety with more
positive thinking that links being in bed with being asleep. This method also
teaches you what to do if you're unable to fall asleep within a reasonable
time.
CBT also may involve talking with a therapist
one-on-one or in group sessions to help you consider your thoughts and feelings
about sleep. This method may encourage you to describe thoughts racing through
your mind in terms of how they look, feel, and sound. The goal is for your mind
to settle down and stop racing.
CBT also focuses on limiting the time you spend in
bed while awake. This method involves setting a sleep schedule. At first, you
will limit your total time in bed to the typical short length of time you're
usually asleep.
This schedule may make you even more tired because
some of the allotted time in bed will be taken up by problems falling asleep.
However, the resulting tiredness is intended to help you get to sleep more
quickly. Over time, the length of time spent in bed is increased until you get
a full night of sleep.
For success with CBT, you may need to see a
therapist who is skilled in this approach weekly over 2 to 3 months. CBT works
as well as prescription medicine for many people who have chronic insomnia. It
also may provide better long-term relief than medicine alone.
For people who have insomnia and major depressive
disorder, CBT combined with antidepression medicines has shown promise in
relieving both conditions.
Medicines
Prescription Medicines
Many prescription medicines are used to treat
insomnia. Some are meant for short-term use, while others are meant for longer
use.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and side
effects of insomnia medicines. For instance, insomnia medicines can help you
fall asleep, but some people may feel groggy in the morning after taking them.
Rare side effects may include sleep eating, sleep
walking, or driving while asleep. If you have side effects from an insomnia
medicine, or if it doesn't work well, tell your doctor. He or she may prescribe
a different medicine.
Some insomnia medicines may be habit forming. Talk
to your doctor about the benefits and risks of insomnia medicines.
Over-the-Counter Products
Some over-the-counter (OTC) products claim to treat
insomnia. These products include melatonin, L-tryptophan supplements, and
valerian teas or extracts.
The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate
natural products and some food supplements. Thus, the dose and
purity of these products can vary. How well these products work and how safe
they are isn't well understood.
Some OTC products that contain antihistamines are
marketed as sleep aids. Although these products may make you sleepy, talk to
your doctor before taking them.
Antihistamines pose risks for some people. Also,
these products may not offer the best treatment for your insomnia. Your doctor
can advise you whether these products can benefit you.
Key Points
- Insomnia is a common condition in which you have
trouble falling or staying asleep. The condition can range from mild to severe,
depending on how often it occurs and for how long.
- Insomnia can be chronic (ongoing) or acute
(short-term). Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights a week
for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is acute
insomnia.
- Insomnia causes you to get too little sleep or
poor-quality sleep that may not leave you feeling refreshed when you wake
up.
- There are two types of insomnia. The most common
type is secondary insomnia. This type of insomnia is a symptom or side effect
of an emotional, neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder. Secondary
insomnia also may result from using certain medicines or substances, such as
caffeine.
- Primary insomnia isn't a symptom or side effect
of another medical condition. It is its own disorder. A number of life changes
can trigger primary insomnia, such as long-lasting stress or emotional upset.
Even if these issues are resolved, the insomnia might not go away.
- Insomnia is a common disorder. One in 3 adults
has insomnia sometimes. One in 10 adults has chronic insomnia.
- The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling
and/or staying asleep, which leads to a lack of sleep. The lack of sleep can
cause other symptoms, such as trouble focusing, anxiety, depression, and
irritability.
- Usually, your doctor will diagnose insomnia
based on your medical and sleep histories and a physical exam. He or she also
may recommend a
sleep
study.
- Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute
insomnia. These changes may make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Lifestyle changes include avoiding substances that make insomnia worse,
adopting good bedtime habits, and going to sleep and waking up around the same
time each day.
- A type of counseling called cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic insomnia. CBT
targets the thoughts and actions that can disrupt sleep and uses several
methods to relieve sleep anxiety.
- Medicines also are used to treat insomnia. Some
medicines are meant for short-term use, while others are meant for longer use.
Side effects can occur, so talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of
using medicines to treat insomnia.
- Also, talk to your doctor before taking
over-the-counter (OTC) products to treat insomnia. These products may pose
risks for some people. Your doctor can advise you whether OTC products will
benefit you.
Links to Other Information About Insomnia
NHLBI Resources
Non-NHLBI Resources
Clinical Trials
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