Insomnia is a sleeping disorder making it difficult for people affected to close their eyes or put them to rest for more than a few minutes even if they are very tired. Even when an opportunity to sleep arises, an affected person cannot get to sleep.


Insomnia is said to occur 1.4 times more in women than in men and in the US, nearly 64 million people suffer regularly from insomnia according to a study report by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 2007.



Among the types, transient insomnia affects people whose sleeping environment and timings have changed or they are depressed and stressed out or both. Sleep deprivation results from sleepiness and an impaired psychomotor performance and can last for a few days or weeks. Acute insomnia robs sleep for three weeks to six months as people are unable to sleep with consistency.


Patients affected by chronic insomnia cannot sleep well for years. Causes can vary from muscular or mental fatigue to hallucinations. As they live with this problem, some become artificially more alert and see the events around them played out in slow motion and can at times have double vision.


A Sleep in America poll 2007 by the National Sleep Foundation of the US came out with alarming figure of 58% adults who experience insomnia for a few nights a week or more. Insomnia can result from some drugs or stimulants, caffeine or cocaine. Women can experience insomnia during hormone shifts and menopause.


Financial and workplace related stress, unsatisfactory sex life, fear and anxiety are some of the principal causes. Obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, mental disorders and post traumatic stress are some of the causes. Common issues like jet lag from traveling through multiple tome zones and change in work shifts can affect people with insomnia.


Estrogens levels changes with sudden withdrawal or postmenopausal fluctuations or usually during clinical recovery for depression postpartum are common in women insomniacs. Prescription sleep aid taken too long can cause insomnia on the rebound and poor sleeping habits with nervous disorders can cause insomnia.


Genetic conditions can impact consistent sleep and even lead to fatal types of insomnia called fatal familial insomnia. Intestinal disturbances from parasites during sleep can also cause insomnia.

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