

Does a physical exam, to rule out other medical problems that might cause insomnia.Your provider will ask you for details about your sleep habits. To diagnose insomnia, your health care provider: This could cause you get into a car accident. For example, it could make you may feel drowsy while driving. Insomnia also can cause other serious problems. You may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning, and remembering. It also can make you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. Insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Lying awake for a long time before you fall asleep.Are African American research shows that African Americans take longer to fall asleep, don't sleep as well, and have more sleep-related breathing problems than whites.Travel long distances with time changes.Work at night or have frequent major shifts in your work hours.Are depressed or have other emotional distress, such as divorce or death of a spouse.You are also at higher risk of insomnia if you: You can get it at any age, but older adults are more likely to have it. Primary insomnia usually lasts more than one month. Its cause is not well understood, but long-lasting stress, emotional upset, travel and shift work can be factors. This means that it is not caused by something else. Sometimes chronic insomnia is the primary problem. Substances such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can also be a cause. This means they are the symptom or side effect of some other problem, such as certain medical conditions, medicines, and other sleep disorders. Most cases of chronic insomnia are secondary. It usually lasts for days or weeks.Ĭhronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer. Common causes include stress at work, family pressures, or a traumatic event. Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). You may not feel refreshed when you wake up. As a result, you may get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. If you have it, you may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.
