Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in year 2007, approximately 64 million Americans regularly suffer from insomnia each year and it is more common in women than in men.
Insomnia can be caused by other problems, such as a medical condition that causes pain or use of substances that interfere with sleep. Common causes of insomnia include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Medications
- Caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol
- Medical conditions
- Change in your environment or work schedule
- Eating too much late in the evening
Insomnia becomes more prevalent with age. As you get older, changes can occur that may affect your sleep. You may experience a change in sleep patterns, activity or in your health.Increased use of medications increase the chance of insomnia caused by a medication.
Sleep problems may be a concern for children and teenagers as well. Some children and teenagers simply have trouble getting to sleep or resist a regular bedtime because their internal clocks are more delayed. They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the morning.