If you experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or enjoying a restful night's sleep, you may have insomnia.

Insomnia is defined as the feeling that you have poor-quality sleep, or aren’t getting enough sleep, because of one or more of the following:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Not feeling refreshed when waking up

Insomnia is a common problem in the U.S. The National Academy of Medicine estimates that between 50 and 70 million Americans have chronic sleep problems.

It is classified as:

• Transient (short term) — lasting from a single night to a few weeks
• Intermittent (on and off) — episodes occur from time to time
• Chronic (constant) — occurs on most nights and lasts a month or more

Causes and symptoms of insomnia

Insomnia may be caused by many factors, including:

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Physical illness
• Caffeine intake
• Irregular schedules
• Drugs (including alcohol and nicotine)
• Occasional or chronic pain

The symptoms of insomnia include:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Low energy or fatigue
• Anxiety or frustration about sleep
• Attention, concentration or memory problems
• Waking up tired or in pain

If you’re having problems sleeping more than three times a week for a month, see your health care provider and ask for a referral to Salem Health’s Sleep Center to be evaluated for a sleep disorder.

You will be seen by a sleep medicine specialist who will identify possible sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.

Depending on your needs, sleep testing can be performed in your home or in the state-of-the-art sleep laboratory at Salem Hospital by experienced, licensed sleep technologists.

Identifying and treating the cause of your sleep disturbance can help get you back on the road to a good night’s sleep and improved health.