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Insomnia is a symptom, not disease, and is defined by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The American Sleep Association reports that 53 percent of Americans will experience insomnia at some point in adulthood. Insomnia may be related to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. Insomnia is generally classified based on the duration of the problem. Almost everybody has a few sleepless nights caused by stress or one too many cups of coffee, however, if the problem becomes chronic (lasting more than three weeks) you may want to consider professional help.

Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights a week for more than a month. Acute insomnia lasts for less time. Insomnia may cause you to get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. You may not feel refreshed when you wake up.

There are two types of insomnia: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia: Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition (like asthma,depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn); pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using (like alcohol). Here are some resources to help you better understand insomnia:

• NIH.gov
• WebMd.com

If insomnia is affecting your daily activities, see your doctor. Treatment — such as therapy, prescription drugs, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes — may help you avoid symptoms and problems related to the condition. Also, poor sleep may be a sign of other health problems. Finding and treating those problems could improve both your health and your sleep.

For healthy sleep tips, such as avoiding food, caffeine, and alcohol before bed and maintaining a regular sleep schedule, check out The National Sleep Foundation.

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