Insomnia

Insomnia is Latin for "no sleep". It is the inability to fall asleep or remain asleep. Insomnia is also used to describe the condition of waking up not feeling restored or refreshed.

Insomnia is the most common complaint among Americans. It can be acute, lasting one to several nights, or chronic, lasting months, even years. When insomnia persists longer than one month, it is considered chronic.

Insomnia is considered a disorder in and of itself but it can also be the symptom of some other disease or condition. Half of all those who have experienced insomnia blame the problem on stress and worry. In the case of stress- induced insomnia, the degree to which sleep is disturbed depends on the severity and duration of the stressful situation.

if you have difficulty sleeping, it is important to determine whether an underlying disease or condition is causing the problem. Sometimes insomnia is caused by pain, digestive problems or a sleep disorder such as Restless Legs Syndrome or sleep apnea. Insomnia may also signal depression or anxiety.

The prevalance of insomnia is higher among older people and women. Women suffer loss of sleep in connection with menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

Some medications can lead to insomnia, including those taken for:

• colds and allergies
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• thyroid disease
• birth control
• asthma
• pain medications
• depression

Left untreated, insomnia is linked to increased illness or morbidity. There is a great deal of research indicating that people with insomnia have poorer health overall, more work absenteeism, and a higher incidence of depression. If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, consider whether an event or particular stress could be the cause. If so, the problem may resolve in time. If not, and the problem persists for a few weeks or more, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.