What is Insomnia?
"Insomnia" is a broad term doctors and other healthcare providers use to describe a common sleep disorder. Insomnia refers to one of many conditions classified as “sleep disorders.” Insomnia symptoms vary from person to person. Someone with chronic insomnia may:- experience difficulty falling asleep
- not be able to stay asleep
- wake up too early or feel too fatigued
Insomnia can affect any person, of any age, at any time in their life. While insomnia is often a fleeting or “transient” condition, many people experience chronic insomnia. When left untreated, insomnia can have many dramatic effects on the body, including physical, psychological and emotional.
There are many types of insomnia. No two people experience insomnia the same way. Even doctors use different terms when describing insomnia or chronic insomnia. Here are some common types of insomnia.
The only way to determine whether you have insomnia with certainty is by visiting your healthcare provider. Your doctor can work with you to uncover hidden symptoms, and hidden causes for your sleep disorder. Most doctors will run multiple tests to rule out other causes for insomnia before they recommend treating your sleep disorder.
Insomnia is many things to many people. If you or someone you know suffers insomnia, chances are you have spent more than one sleepless night tossing and turning. There are two main types of insomnia, the most common of which is primary or transient insomnia.
Many times people mistake other common sleep disorders for insomnia. This is one reason it is important you visit your healthcare provider for a full physical if you have trouble sleeping.
Your healthcare provider can work with you to help identify insomnia symptoms and the causes for your inability to sleep or stay asleep. Most people diagnosed with insomnia can treat it using natural remedies or over-the-counter sleep medications. Your doctor may prescribe prescription insomnia medication for hard to treat insomnia.
When left untreated, insomnia can lead to serious complications, including chronic ill-health and disease. So, no matter the "type" of sleep disorder or insomnia you have, if you experience symptoms of insomnia be sure to get them checked out.