Sleep Disorders

Insomnia

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Insomnia is a common problem that approximately half of American adults report experiencing at some time. The condition is classified into three groups depending on the length that it lasts:

• Transient insomnia is defined as lasting for a few nights
• Intermittent is periodic episodes of insomnia
• Chronic insomnia occurs on most nights and lasting a month or more

Although insomnia is not considered a serious medical problem, lack of sleep can seriously impact your quality of life. It can cause a person to feel tired, depressed and irritable, as well as impair their concentration. Although it differs for each person, most adults need approximately seven to nine hours of sleep to feel completely rested. Both men and women experience insomnia, although females and elderly are typically affected the most. And, despite common belief, the need for sleep does not decrease with age.

Some of the most common causes of insomnia include:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression

Other factors that also can cause insomnia include:

• Drinking too much caffeine throughout the day
• Drinking alcohol before bedtime
• Excessive napping during the day
• Changes in your surroundings and sleep schedule
• Noise
• Jet lag
• Certain medications
• Pain from medical problems, such as arthritis

Symptoms of insomnia include:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Experiencing restless sleep, in which you wake frequently throughout the night and then have trouble falling back asleep
• Waking too early in the morning
• Feeling tired and un-refreshed upon waking in the morning

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated November 4, 2007