Daytime sleepiness test
A simple test that might indicate a sleep disorder
Where to get help
Locations of Sleep Disorder Centers
Classes & events

Home page
Sleep Disorders home page

 

Specific disorders

Sleep apnea
Insomnia
Narcolepsy
Snoring
Drowsy driving
Night terrors
Restless legs syndrome

 

Related links

 
Doctors who can help
Search for Aurora physicians that specialize in this field
Related conditions
  - Sleep apnea
  - Insomnia
  - Narcolepsy
  - Restless leg syndrome
  - Snoring

 

Insomnia

Insomnia disturbs your waking hours as well a your sleeping hours. After a poor night's sleep, your ability to concentrate on normal daily tasks is greatly reduced.

Insomnia afflicts people of all ages, most often just for a night or two, but sometimes for weeks, months or even years. It is generally categorized into three types: transient, short-term and chronic.

Transient insomnia is the most common form and is usually brought on by excitement or stress. Children may experience insomnia just before school begins in the fall and adults before a big meeting at work, during tax time or if they have traveled across several time zones.

Short-term insomnia can occur during periods of ongoing stress at home or at work. It usually lasts 2-3 weeks and subsides when the stressful situation comes to an end or the person becomes accustomed to it.

Chronic insomnia is poor sleep every night or most nights and is caused by a variety of things - breathing disorders or irregular muscle activity being the most common. More than 35 million Americans suffer from chronic insomnia that can be caused by a number of factors which can be psychological, lifestyle related, environmental or due to physical illness.

If your sleep has been disturbed for more than a month and interferes with the way you feel or function during the day, you should probably seek treatment for insomnia. Sometimes it can be lessened through education, lifestyle modification, medication or reduction of stress.

 

 


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