Not many people know a lot about insomnia, yet insomnia is one of the most common problems to affect people as they age. It happens to everyone at some point or another; you start to age and you realize that you aren't able to fall asleep as easily as you used to. Or, you find you are tired much earlier in the evening than you used to be, so you go to bed earlier thinking you will get plenty of rest, only to wake multiple times during the night. You then wake up in the morning and feel like you didn't sleep at all. What's going on? You may have insomnia.

Here is an interesting insomnia fact you may not know: Primary Insomnia affects roughly 40 million people each year in the U.S. alone. Sleep specialists have long studied the effects of aging on sleep and our circadian rhythms, or the "internal clocks" that tell us when we should go to sleep, how long we need to sleep and when we need to wake up. Many studies suggest that our internal "clocks" or rhythms sometimes malfunction as we age. This can result from many factors, including stress, lifestyle habits, lack of exercise or simply the metabolic and physiologic side effects of aging.

Most researchers would probably agree it is not too difficult to figure out "why" insomnia occurs among many seniors, but it may be difficult to "treat" or find insomnia treatments for seniors. Often medications used for younger adults to treat primary insomnia do not work effectively for older adults; some can be hazardous to their health. In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study, researchers working at the Sleep Medicine & Research Center found that the extended release form of Ambien, and other common sleep medications including Lunesta and Sonata may improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep regardless of your age.

This may not be the case however for medications that do not offer extended release versions. Often patients with insomnia receive short-acting sedatives or benzodiazepines to combat insomnia. Unfortunately for some older adults, these medications may help patients fall asleep, but they may find they still have trouble waking during the night, which can lead to increasing sleep deprivation and fatigue during the daytime.

So what should you do if you think you may have insomnia and are over 60? The first step is to call your doctor and seek help. You should make a point to note a few things before you see your doctor so you can review them. Make a list of the following for at least a week to 10 days before you see your doctor about sleeping problems:

1. What time you went to bed
2. How long it took you to fall asleep
3. What time you woke during the night if you did
4. How long it took you to get back to sleep (if you did)
5. Any medications you are or were taking and the times you took them
6. The foods you ate that day, including those you at 2 to 5 hours before sleeping
7. Whether you drank any caffeinated beverages during the day, or products containing caffeine (like chocolate)

This information is crucial for your doctor. Your doctor will review your medical history and will talk to you about your sleep habits. Your health provider will ask you if you tried any home insomnia cures or insomnia remedies. He or she may want to see a list of natural remedies for insomnia you may have tried or want to try. Your doctor will also ask about stress insomnia. Sometimes people develop insomnia simply because they are carrying around too much stress, regardless of their age. Simple lifestyle changes including a reduction of stress may help improve sleep in situations like this.

One of the most promising new treatments doctors are using to treat seniors with insomnia is CBT or cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia. Studies suggest that CBT is more effective than medication in many instances when treating older adults with insomnia. While it may not be the perfect solution for you, it's worth a try!

How Much Do You Really Know About Insomnia?

1. About Insomnia: Insomnia Symptoms Among Seniors
2. Do You Know Just How Common Insomnia Is Among Older Adults? Test Your Knowledge...
3. Are You Ready To Create A Sleep Journal?