Sleep Troubles? Understanding Insomnia

Do you ever lie in bed at night and just can’t fall asleep? Or maybe you wake up too early and feel tired all day? You might be learning about something called insomnia. Let’s explore what it is, why it happens, and how people can feel better.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep problem where a person has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested after sleeping. People with insomnia may feel tired, cranky, or find it hard to

concentrate during the day. Insomnia isn’t just having a bad night of sleep—it happens often and can affect your daily life.

To be called insomnia, the sleep problem usually happens at least 3 times a week for 1 month or more and causes problems during the day.

Types of Insomnia

Insomnia can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic):

• Acute insomnia lasts a few days or weeks. It is often caused by stress, school problems, family worries, or scary events.

• Chronic insomnia lasts a month or longer. It may happen because of other health problems, medicines, sleep disorders, or things like too much caffeine. Some people have chronic insomnia for no clear reason, often due to stress, traveling, or shift work.

Who Can Get Insomnia?

Insomnia can happen to anyone, but some people are more likely to get it:

• Girls and women

• Older adults

• People under a lot of stress or going through emotional problems

• People who work at night or travel a lot

• People with other sleep problems or medical conditions

• People from certain backgrounds, like African Americans, may experience more sleep difficulties

Symptoms of Insomnia

People with insomnia may:

• Lie awake for a long time before falling asleep

• Wake up many times at night

• Wake up too early

• Sleep only for short periods

• Feel tired, cranky, or have trouble paying attention during the day

Why Does Insomnia Happen?

Insomnia can be caused by:

• Stress or anxiety

• Medical conditions like pain, breathing problems, reflux, or other sleep disorders

• Medications or substances like caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco

• Lifestyle factors, like too much screen time or irregular sleep schedules

• Biological factors, like overactive brains, hormone changes, or genetic reasons

● People with insomnia often have a hyperactive brain that stays “on” even at night, and worrying about sleep can make it worse.

Problems Caused by Insomnia

Insomnia doesn’t just make you tired. It can also:

• Make it hard to focus, remember things, or learn

• Affect mood, causing irritability, anxiety, or sadness

• Increase the chance of accidents, like car crashes

• Make work or school harder

• Affect overall health, increasing risks for heart problems, diabetes, or chronic pain

How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Doctors figure out if someone has insomnia by:

• Asking about medical history

• Asking about sleep habits

• Sometimes asking the person to keep a sleep diary

• Doing a physical exam

• Sometimes doing a sleep study to see how the person sleeps at night

How Can People Treat Insomnia?

There are several ways to feel better if you have insomnia:

• Lifestyle changes: Going to bed at the same time every night, avoiding caffeine, and creating a calm bedroom can help.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is a special kind of talking therapy that helps people change worries or habits that stop them from sleeping.

• Medicines: Doctors may give short-term sleep medicines if needed, but they are not always the first choice.

Fun Fact: Even famous people like Vincent van Gogh, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, and Lady Gaga have had insomnia! It shows that anyone can have trouble sleeping, no matter who they are.

The Bottom Line

Insomnia is more than just a bad night’s sleep. It can affect your health, mood, and daily life. But with good sleep habits, therapy, and sometimes medicine, most people can sleep better and feel rested.