Insomnia, or the inability to sleep, can take many forms.

Causes of insomnia
Half of all Americans have experienced
insomnia, which can afflict its
sufferers in a variety of ways.

Have you ever crawled into bed exhausted, thinking you'd fall asleep in seconds, only to find yourself still awake an hour later? Or maybe you tend to fall asleep quickly but wake up many times through the night. Or perhaps you wake up at 4 or 5 a.m. and can't get back to sleep, even though you still feel tired and don't have to get up until 7 a.m. These are all versions of insomnia.

If you can relate to any of these scenarios, you're in good company. Half of all Americans have experienced insomnia at some time in their lives, and a good number experience it on a regular basis.

Insomnia is a broad term that describes trouble going to sleep, staying asleep, or sleeping for the full time you need to in order to feel refreshed. Insomnia, like other secondary sleep disorders, is most often a symptom that some other physical, emotional, behavioral or environmental problem is affecting sleep. Most researchers characterize the different types of insomnia by frequency and length of time it continues. The following are the main forms of insomnia.

  • Transient, or temporary, insomnia typically lasts between one and several nights and is usually caused by stress or emotion.
  • Intermittent insomnia occurs off and on over a long period of time and is also most frequently a result of stress or anxiety.
  • Chronic insomnia occurs on most nights, lasts at least two weeks (and possibly much longer), and may result from one or more medical conditions.

Transient and intermittent insomnia are usually best treated by practicing some proven methods of stress reduction and/or changing your sleep environment. Chronic insomniacs may also need professional help, especially if their sleeplessness is related to a medical condition.

There are several medical conditions -- heartburn, for example -- that can affect sleep. The link between heartburn and insomnia is discussed on the next page.

For more information on how to get a good night's sleep, see:

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.