Insomnia

Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder causing difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep for as long as desired. Insomnia is typically followed by daytime sleepiness, low energy, irritability, and a depressed mood. It may result in an increased risk of accidents as well as problems focusing and learning. Insomnia can be short-term, lasting for days or weeks, or long-term, lasting more than a month. The concept of the word insomnia has two distinct possibilities: insomnia disorder or insomnia symptoms. Insomnia can occur independently or as a result of another problem. Conditions that can result in insomnia include psychological stress, chronic pain, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, heartburn, restless leg syndrome, perimenopause, menopause, certain medications, and use of drugs such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Risk factors include working night shifts and sleep apnea. Diagnosis is based on sleep habits and an examination to look for underlying causes. A sleep study may be done to look for underlying sleep disorders. Screening may be done with questions like "Do you experience difficulty sleeping?" or "Do you have difficulty falling or staying asleep?" Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the first-line treatment. Sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes are also recommended for insomnia, though their efficacy is not definitely established. Sleep hygiene includes a consistent bedtime, a quiet and dark room, exposure to sunlight during the day and regular exercise. Sleeping pills can improve sleep, though some are associated with falls, cognitive impairment, and dependence. These medications are not recommended for more than four or five weeks but can be used longer in certain instances. Among these, lemborexant and eszopiclone have the most favorable efficacy and safety profiles. The efficacy and safety of alternative medicine treatments are unclear. Between 10% and 30% of adults have insomnia at any given point in time, and up to half of people have insomnia in a given year. About 6% of people have insomnia that is not due to another problem and lasts for more than a month. People over the age of 65 are affected more often than younger people. Women are more often affected than men. Descriptions of insomnia occur at least as far back as ancient Greece. Anthropological research has also examined how insomnia and sleep disturbance may be influenced by cultural, social, and biological factors working together. Research on industrialisation has considered the effects of artificial light, urban development, and changing work habits on sleep, suggesting that experiences of insomnia are not shaped solely by biological processes. Cross-cultural research has also shown that ideas about what constitutes ‘normal’ sleep can vary between societies, influencing how sleep difficulties are understood and experienced.