People with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep. The problem may begin with stress. Then, as you begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem may become chronic.
Depression and mental illnesses are often associated with insomnia.
Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:
- Poor concentration and focus
- Difficulty with memory
- Impaired motor coordination
- Irritability and impaired social interaction
- Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers
People may worsen these daytime symptoms by their own attempts to treat the symptoms.
- In 1995, a Gallup poll said 7.9% of respondents used alcohol to help them sleep. Alcohol and antihistamines may compound the problems with sleep deprivation.
- Others have tried nonprescription sleep aids.

WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth

Reviewed by Leonard J. Sonne, MD on January 01, 2007

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Important Safety Information Full Prescribing Information

Real Migraines, Real People

Learn How TOPAMAX Can Help from Patients Who Have Been There

Important Safety Information | Prescribing Information

TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.

Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.

More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.

Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.

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