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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.
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Treatments Links
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