Putting It All Together

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to insomnia.

• Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which individuals experience poor sleep or have trouble sleeping.

• Poor sleep for any length of time can lead to mood disturbances, lack of motivation, decreased attention span, trouble with concentration, low levels of energy, and increased fatigue.

• Factors that increase a person's chances of developing insomnia include being female, being elderly, having certain medical conditions, taking certain medications, having had childhood fears, and having a lifestyle that includes frequent travel, smoking, or overuse of alcohol or caffeine.

• Insomnia has psychological causes (such as anxiety or depression), physical causes (such as illness or pain), and other causes (such as jet lag or environmental noise).

• The consequences of insomnia include impaired mental functioning, a higher risk for accidents, stress and depression, heart disease, and headaches.

• Treatment options for insomnia include physical and mental relaxation techniques, other techniques (such as yoga, massage, or meditation), and medications (over-the-counter or prescription).

• Prevention of sleeplessness is very much dependent on your ability to relax and learn techniques for sleeping well.