Sleep

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder. With insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good quality sleep. This happens even if you have the time and the right environment to sleep well. Insomnia can get in the way of your daily activities and may make you feel sleepy during the day. Short-term insomnia can last for a few days or weeks. Chronic (long-term) insomnia occurs 3 or more nights a week, lasts more than 3 months, and cannot be fully explained by another health problem.

Common causes of Insomnia

Common causes of insomnia include stress, an irregular sleep schedule, poor sleeping habits, mental health disorders, physical illnesses and pain, medications, neurological problems, and specific sleep disorders. For many people, a combination of these factors can initiate and exacerbate insomnia.

Not all insomnia is the same. People can experience the condition in distinct ways. How a person is affected by insomnia can vary significantly based on its cause, severity, and how it is influenced by underlying health conditions.