Sleep Disorders Insomnia

Insomnia is a lack of good sleep. It can be an isolated incident, or a regular pattern. Temporary insomnia can be caused by stress, time zone changes, changes in sleep schedule or pain. Chronic pain, poor bedtime habits, and medical or psychiatric conditions can result in longer term insomnia.

If you have difficulty falling asleep even when you're tired, wake up in the middle of the night, or wake up early in the morning despite feeling tired, then you have insomnia. Also, if you need alcohol or drugs to fall asleep, then you have insomnia.

Insomnia can reduce your productivity, make you irritable which has a negative effect on your relationships, and endanger your life as it can make you a reckless driver, or make it unsafe for you to operate heavy machinery. For these reasons, it is important to get help if you have prolonged insomnia.

Insomnia can be treated in several ways. Relaxation exercises and stress management can be an important way to treat the problem if stress is the cause. In addition, medication, herbal supplements, dietary changes, use of special lights, and changes to the sleeping environment can also be effective treatments for insomnia.