![]() What Is Insomnia: Defining Both Acute and Chronic Insomnia So how do you know if you have insomnia, and how do you treat it if you do have it? Read on to get answers to your most pressing questions. That’s why dealing with insomnia and getting the help you need is critical. When it comes to health, she adds: “Sleep is just as important as diet and other lifestyle behaviors.” Other consequences of insomnia include increased risk for psychiatric disorders and motor vehicle accidents. “Epidemiological studies show that lack of sleep is associated with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, even Alzheimer’s,” says Sara Nowakowski, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sleep researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. RELATED: How Much Sleep Do You Really Need Each Night? If you’re not getting the slumber you need, you could be putting your health in jeopardy. Those numbers are worrying because sleep is one of the foundations of good health. Estimates suggest approximately 10 percent of adults suffer from chronic insomnia, and between 15 and 35 percent of adults suffer from some level of short-term insomnia lasting anywhere from a few days to up to three months. If you struggle to sleep, you’re not alone. RELATED: What Happens to Your Body and Your Mind When You Don’t Sleep And it’s the repetitive nights of continued sleep woes that are the biggest drain on the body and brain. But one or two nights of bad sleep can easily turn into a persistent problem. ( 1) In and of itself, a night or two of bad sleep isn’t a critical problem. Now multiply that one bad night by weeks, even months, and it’s easy to understand why insomnia can take a tremendous mental and physical toll on people.īy definition, even having just a few restless nights of sleep qualifies as a bout of insomnia. If your insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem, it's important to treat that problem (if possible).You know how awful one night of bad sleep can make you feel. Several medicines also can help relieve your insomnia and allow you to re-establish a regular sleep schedule.A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing) insomnia.These changes might make it easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Lifestyle changes, including good sleep habits, often help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia.Treatments include lifestyle changes, counseling, and medicines: A sleep study measures how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems. Does a physical exam, to rule out other medical problems that might cause insomnia.Your provider will ask you for details about your sleep habits. To diagnose insomnia, your health care provider: This could cause you get into a car accident. For example, it could make you may feel drowsy while driving. Insomnia also can cause other serious problems. You may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning, and remembering. It also can make you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. Insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Lying awake for a long time before you fall asleep.Are African American research shows that African Americans take longer to fall asleep, don't sleep as well, and have more sleep-related breathing problems than whites.Travel long distances with time changes.Work at night or have frequent major shifts in your work hours.Are depressed or have other emotional distress, such as divorce or death of a spouse.You are also at higher risk of insomnia if you: You can get it at any age, but older adults are more likely to have it. Primary insomnia usually lasts more than one month. Its cause is not well understood, but long-lasting stress, emotional upset, travel and shift work can be factors. This means that it is not caused by something else. Sometimes chronic insomnia is the primary problem. Substances such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can also be a cause. This means they are the symptom or side effect of some other problem, such as certain medical conditions, medicines, and other sleep disorders. Most cases of chronic insomnia are secondary. It usually lasts for days or weeks.Ĭhronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer. ![]() Common causes include stress at work, family pressures, or a traumatic event. Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). You may not feel refreshed when you wake up. As a result, you may get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. If you have it, you may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.
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