Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and or staying asleep. There are two types. Primary insomnia and secondary insmonia. Primary insomnia is when a person has difficulties with sleep that are not associated to any other health problem. Secondary insomnia is when a person has sleep problems ddue to other health conditions such as asthma, cancer, arthritis, or heartburn. Insomnia can also be short term (acute) or long term (chronic) with acute insomnia lasting from one night to a few weeks and chronic lastic three nights a week for a month or longer.

Symptoms

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    Difficulty falling asleep
    Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
    Waking up too early in the morning
    Feeling tired when you wake up
    Feeling irritable
    Concentration or memory problems

Treatment

      In order to determine what the diagnosis is and how it can be treated, you must visit your doctor. A physical exam as well as a sleep study may be required. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary in order to track your sleep patterns. 

      Acute Insomnia may not need to be treated. If the insomnia is affecting your life style significantly you may be prescribed sleeping pills. In the case that you have secondary insomnia your doctor will have to treat the health conditions that are causing the insomnia.