Insomnia is a condition that describes difficulty with sleep. This condition can include difficulty falling asleep, problems staying asleep, frequently awakening at night (fragmented sleep), and/or awakening early in the morning. This trouble sleeping results in feeling unrefreshed during the day and difficulty with daytime function including completing valued daily activities.
Risk factors:
Insomnia is common. It affects women more often than men. You can get it at any age, but older adults are more likely to have it. You are also at higher risk of insomnia if you
- Have a lot of stress
- Are depressed or have other emotional distress, such as divorce or death of a spouse
- Have a lower income
- Work at night or have frequent major shifts in your work hours
- Travel long distances with time changes
- Have an inactive lifestyle
Symptoms
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up during the night
- Waking up too early
- Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep
- Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
- Irritability, depression or anxiety
- Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering
- Increased errors or accidents
- Ongoing worries about sleep
When to see a doctor?
If insomnia makes it hard for you to function during the day, see your doctor to identify the cause of your sleep problem and how it can be treated. If your doctor thinks you could have a sleep disorder, you might be referred to a sleep center for special testing.
https://medlineplus.gov/insomnia.html
https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/insomnia.pdf
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167