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Insomnia can be described as insufficient or poor quality sleep because of trouble falling asleep, waking up often with difficulty returning to sleep, or not feeling refreshed after sleep. Insomnia can be temporary, or chronic (lasting more than a few weeks). Even if you get several hours of sleep a night, you could still have insomnia. In addition waking up with big huge rings around you eyes in never good. Physically your body will show signs of insomnia such as drooping eyes or bags around the eyes.
Insomnia is more commonly found in women, persons prone to depression, and persons over 60 years of age. Anxiety, stress, mental or medical problems, environmental and behavioral influences, and medications, are just a few of the causes of insomnia, and many combinations of these and other factors may make diagnosis of underlying causes difficult.
Diagnosis is possible with the patient's medical and sleep history (diary). Treating any underlying mental or physical problems is the first step of treatment. The second step is to recognize and stop any behaviors that might cause or contribute to insomnia. Sometimes sleeping medications are prescribed for a short time. Alternatively, behavioral techniques can be used, such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction, and reconditioning can be used. Relaxation therapy can take much practice to achieve success, but can slow excessive thoughts that inhibit muscle and mental relaxtion that is essential to good sleep.
Sleep restriction involves restricting the time spent in bed at first, with time spent in bed increasing as normal sleep habits return.
Reconditioning is the process of only using the bed when you are actually sleepy, with napping not allowed. This should condition the patient to only associate the bed with a 'normal' bedtime and sleep.
Insomnia is when someone has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and/or wake up not refreshed. Insomnia is considered a symptom with many possible causes, such as disease, pain, medications, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, or poor sleep habits. Health habits and sleep environment may also be causes or factors.
Sleep disorders are often causes of insomnia, such as restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea, for example. Restless leg syndrome happens when the patient experiences tingling or crawling leg sensations that cause movement, especially during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops during sleep for brief periods.
Insomnia may be temporary, lasting from a few days or weeks, or it may be chronic, lasting more than three weeks. Some examples of temporary insomnia experienced by women occur before, during, and after the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and menopause. Chronic insomnia does not cure itself, so a visit to a physician or sleep specialist is recommended.
Doctors may prescribe medication to assist the patient in falling asleep. There are also over the counter remedies available such as herbal and natural supplements as well as alternative practices like acupuncture. In many cases, individuals report relief from trying certain 'tried and true' home-based cures.
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