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What Is Insomnia?

The cure for insomnia?
Get plenty of sleep.
W.C. Fields

The answer to the question "What is insomnia?", is about as complex as the condition itself!

A dictionary definition of the word 'insomnia' is -

'a prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep'

Although a succinct and accurate description, in reality insomnia is much more complicated.

Classifying Insomnia

There are several different methods used to classify or categorize insomniacs themselves. A classic way to describe the different divisions within this disorder is as follows :

People who have difficulty falling asleep

Those who wake up several times during the night and can't fall back asleep

People who wake up much too early in the morning, and again, can't fall back asleep

People who think they sleep well, but wake up exhausted and never feel well rested

Another way of looking at the question 'what is insomnia?", is to break it up into 3 separate 'types' based on how often the person suffers from sleepless nights.

Transient Insomnia - This generally lasts from 1 night to a week

Short-Term Insomnia - Last for approximately 1 week to a month

Chronic Insomnia - Lasts for a month or more (can be indefinitely)

Chronic Insomnia is then divided further, into two more categories -

Primary Insomnia - When the insomnia isn't directly related to, or caused by, any other health problems such as allergies, arthritis, chronic pain, depression etc.

Secondary Insomnia - This is when insomnia is caused by a medical condition or is the result of a poor sleep environment or poor sleep hygeine.

Insomnia & You

If you think you fall into one of the categories above, and you're sick and tired of going through your life in a haze of exhaustion, it's time to be pro-active in your quest for better sleep.

If you suffer from Transient or Short Term Insomnia, there are a whole lot of tips and tricks that can help you find your way back to The Land of Nod. The same applies to people with Secondary Insomnia.

If you're struggling with Chronic Primary Insomnia, the first step to better sleep, better health and a better life is to get a correct diagnosis of your individual sleep problem. A visit to your Primary Care Physician is in order, and then on to a Sleep Lab or Sleep Specialist.

There are a whole host of insomnia tips, treatments, therapies and prescription medications, otc sleep aids and more that can help you banish the insomnia demons and begin to enjoy a good night's sleep once again.

Page/Article Links:

Facts About Insomnia

Causes Of Insomnia

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia Tips

Insomnia Medications

Over The Counter Sleep Aids

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