WHAT IS INSOMNIA?

Essentially it's being awake when you wish to, want to, need to be asleep. Another way to put it is, you're not getting the amount of sleep you need to feel "good," "productive," "energetic" or even "ok" in the morning - all descriptions as defined by you.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. It varies from restless sleep to, more rarely, complete wakefulness. Although most adults need seven or eight hours of sleep per night, many underestimate the amount they actually get. Usually, an unbroken night's sleep is no cause for concern. If it begins to affect daytime performance, however, it may be a problem.

Lack of sleep, or insomnia, is one of the significant health problems facing Americans. One's ability to function at work or behind the wheel of a vehicle, or to fend off and recover from illness, are all affected by sleep deficits.

It is not unusual to have sleep troubles from time to time. But, if you feel that you do not get enough sleep or satisfying sleep, you may have insomnia, a sleep disorder. People with insomnia have one or more of the following:

• difficulty falling asleep;
• waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep;
• waking up too early in the morning;
• unrefreshing sleep