Symptoms and Causes

WebMD Medical Reference in collaboration with

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Feeling tired upon waking
• Sleepiness during the day
• Irritability and problems with concentration or memory

What Causes Insomnia?

Insomnia can be its own medical problem (primary insomnia) or it can be caused by a separate issue (secondary insomnia) such as depression or side effects from medication. Insomnia may be an acute (short-term) problem, meaning it lasts less than 1 month, or it can be chronic, lasting 1 month or longer.

Situations that may cause a period of acute insomnia can include:

• Stress (for example, job loss or change, death of a loved one, divorce, or moving)
• Illness
• Emotional or physical discomfort
• Environmental factors like noise, light, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold) that interfere with sleep
• Some medications (for example those used to treat colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure and asthma)
• Interferences in normal sleep schedule (for example, jet lag or switching from a day to night shift)

Causes of chronic insomnia can include:

• Depression and/or anxiety
• Chronic stress
• Pain or discomfort at night

Reviewed by The Sleep Medicine Center at The Cleveland Clinic.
Edited by Cynthia Haines, MD, WebMD, February 2006.

SOURCES: The National Sleep Foundation. American Insomnia Association.