Older people may be less likely to sleep soundly because of bodily changes related to aging and because they may have medical conditions or take medications that disturb sleep.
Chronic diseases and associated pain may increase the risk of insomnia. Some conditions associated with insomnia include:.
Certain medications can increase the risk of sleeping problems as a side effect. These may include:. Insomnia occurs more often in women than in men. Pregnancy and hormonal shifts can disturb sleep. Other hormonal changes, such as premenstrual syndrome PMS or menopause , can also can affect sleep. Stress is considered by most sleep experts to be the number one cause of short-term sleeping difficulties. Common triggers include school- or job-related pressures, a family or marriage problem, or a serious illness or death in the family.
Insomnia is also a common symptom of anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder , and depression. Habits and activities that you do during the day or night can interfere with getting a good night's sleep. These include:. Night shift work forces you to try to sleep when activities around you and your own biological rhythms signal you to be awake.
Shift workers are more likely to fall asleep on the job because of poor sleep quality than are employees with regular daytime hours. Jet lag is the inability to sleep as a result of crossing many time zones in a short period of time. This can disturb your biological rhythms and deprive you of good sleep until your body can adjust to the new time zone.
A distracting sleep environment, such as a room that's too hot or cold, too noisy, or too brightly lit, can be a barrier to sound sleep. Interruptions from children or other family members can also disrupt sleep. Other influences may be the comfort and size of your bed and the habits of your sleep partner. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
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Other groups include: "Night owls" who do not have a regular wake time People who describe themselves as "worriers" are at risk for insomnia. Learning to set one's worries aside can help reduce this risk.
They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the morning. Sleep is as important to your health as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically. People with insomnia report a lower quality of life compared with people who are sleeping well. Insomnia care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Riggin, EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 21, What is insomnia? Changing hormone levels after childbirth can disrupt your sleep. Very young babies do not usually sleep longer than a few hours at a time and need to be fed every few hours. Who gets insomnia? Other people at risk for insomnia include those who: 9 , 10 Have a lot of stress Have depression 11 or other mental health conditions 4 Work nights or have an irregular sleep schedule, such as shift workers 12 Travel long distances with time changes, such as air travelers Have certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, asthma, and fibromyalgia.
Why do more women than men have insomnia? These include hormonal changes during: The menstrual cycle , especially in the days leading up to their period when many women report problems going to sleep and staying asleep. Perimenopause and menopause , when hot flashes and night sweats can disturb sleep. These include: Depression and anxiety. People with insomnia are 10 times more likely to have depression, and 17 times more likely to have anxiety.
The pain experienced with fibromyalgia can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. How long does insomnia last? What are the symptoms of insomnia? If you have insomnia, you may: Lie awake for a long time without going to sleep Wake up during the night and find it difficult to go back to sleep Not feel rested when you wake up Lack of sleep may cause other symptoms during the daytime. How does insomnia affect women's health? Over time, lack of sleep may increase your risk for more serious problems, including: Accidents Health problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure 3 , 9 Increased risk for falls, especially in older women 17 Women who have long-term insomnia may be more at risk than men with long-term insomnia for mood problems, heart disease and stroke, and obesity.
How is insomnia diagnosed? Your doctor may also: Ask you about your sleep habits. Try to keep a sleep diary for one or two weeks before you see your doctor. Write down the times you go to sleep, wake up, and take naps. Keep track of how long you sleep each night and how you feel throughout the day. If you still have a menstrual period, track your cycle on your calendar also.
Do tests to rule out other medical problems that might cause insomnia. These might include blood tests to check for thyroid problems or other medical conditions. Talk to you about the medicines you take.
Some medicines, including some used to treat heart problems and depression, may cause sleep problems. Your doctor or nurse will help you find medicines that work best for you. Ask you to do a sleep study, called a polysomnogram PSG. During a sleep study, you stay overnight at a sleep center or medical facility. You are hooked up to monitors that record brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and blood pressure while you sleep.
Machines also record snoring, chest movements, the amount of oxygen in your blood, and how much air moves through your nose while you breathe. How is insomnia treated? How does cognitive behavioral therapy help treat insomnia?
This includes linking being in bed to being asleep and not to the problems you have falling asleep. Talking with a therapist alone or in group sessions.
This can help you identify and change any unhelpful thoughts and behaviors about sleep. Learning habits that can help you sleep better. What prescription medicines treat insomnia? Take the medicine at the time of day your doctor tells you to. Do not drive or do other activities that require you to be alert and sober. Take only the amount of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about all other medicines you take, both over-the-counter and prescription.
Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any problems while using the medicine. Do not drink alcohol.
Do not take medicines that your doctor has not prescribed to you. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you want to stop using the sleep medicine. You need to stop taking some sleep medicines gradually a little at a time.
Can I take an over-the-counter OTC medicine for insomnia? If you decide to use an OTC sleep medicine: Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about any warnings and potential side effects of the medicine. Take only the amount of medicine suggested by your doctor. Do not use drugs that your doctor has not prescribed to you. Can I take a supplement or natural product for insomnia? Learn more about complementary and alternative sleep aids.
Do complementary or alternative sleep aids work? These techniques include using music, meditation, and yoga to relax the mind and body before sleeping. Manufacturers may label dietary supplements like melatonin as a "natural" product. Most of these products have not been proven to help people with insomnia. Melatonin may be useful for treating short-term insomnia for shift workers or people who have jet lag, but you should probably not take it long-term. Why is sleep important?
What can I do to sleep better?
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