What is Insomnia? Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by chronic problems falling asleep, staying asleep. or only sleeping for several hours and being wake unable to fall back to sleep. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake.

It can be caused by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, or by stress. Researchers do not know exactly why people need sleep, but we do know that lack of sleep can kill. Humans deprived of sleep for long periods begin hallucinating and developing other mental problems.

Insomnia lasting over 6 month is considered chronic insomnia

Because so many people suffer from sleep disorders, sleep medicine is a recognized medical subspecialty. Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine help people who are unable to sleep well. Sleep doctors are able to detect and treat both common and rare sleep disorders. Some common sleep disorders are insomnia, jet lag, sleepwalking, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Over-the-counter sleep aids or supplements may help when stress, travel, or other disruptions keep you awake. If you have chronic insomnia, a better approach is to remove the cause — most often, by changing your lifestyle.

Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months. Chronic insomnia lasts from months to years.  Insomnia occurs 1.4 times more commonly in women than in men. Lack of sleep can kill. In research studies, rats normally live two to three years, but if rats are totally deprived of sleep, they only live about five weeks. They also develop sores, their immune systems do not work well, and their body temperature drops. Humans deprived of sleep for long periods begin hallucinating and develop other mental problems.

If you have followed all the tips for getting enough sleep — sleeping on a regular schedule, avoiding caffeine and daytime naps, exercising regularly, and managing stress, and still a good night's rest remains out of reach, you may be thinking about over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids or other sleep supplements. OTC sleep aids are effective for an occasional sleepless night. If you're considering sleeping supplements, it's important to understand that much is unknown about their safety and effectiveness.

Chronic insomnia can itself be a symptom of another condition, such as depression, heart disease, sleep apnea, lung disease, hot flashes, or diabetes. It is important to see a doctor if you are having trouble sleeping.

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