Go to sleep at the same time each night, and get up at the same time each morning.Good sleep habits, also called sleep hygiene, can help you beat insomnia. Slow reaction time that can lead to a car crash.A higher risk of falling, if you’re an older woman.A higher risk of health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.

If insomnia is keeping you awake, you could have: It’s also crucial for learning and keeping memories. Our bodies and brains need sleep so they can repair themselves. This can help you change the things you do that make insomnia worse and learn what you can do to promote sleep. Your doctor might also suggest behavioral therapy. They might have side effects, and they tend to work less well over time.įor chronic insomnia, you’ll need treatment for the conditions or health problems that are keeping you awake. Medicines that work quickly but briefly can help you avoid problems like drowsiness the next day.ĭon’t use over-the-counter sleeping pills for insomnia. If it’s hard for you to do everyday activities because you’re tired, your doctor may prescribe sleeping pills for a short time. You might also have special tests at a sleep center. They may talk to your bed partner about how much and how well you’re sleeping. They might tell you to keep a sleep diary for a week or two, keeping track of your sleep patterns and how you feel during the day. Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history and sleep history.

Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

Other sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.

Hyperthyroidism and other endocrine problems.

Caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol use, as well as use of illicit drugs.

Medications for colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma.

Mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Research has found that a tendency for insomnia may run in families.

Changes to your sleep schedule like jet lag, a new shift at work, or bad habits you picked up when you had other sleep problems.

Things around you like noise, light, or temperature.

Stress related to big life events, like a job loss or change, the death of a loved one, divorce, or moving.

It feels like you sleep a lot less than you really do.

Paradoxical insomnia: When you have paradoxical insomnia, you underestimate the time you're asleep.

Mixed insomnia: With this type of insomnia, you have trouble both falling asleep and staying asleep through the night.

Sleep-maintenance insomnia: This happens when you have trouble staying asleep through the night or wake up too early.Sleep-onset insomnia: This means you have trouble getting to sleep.

Secondary insomnia: This means you have trouble sleeping because of a health condition (like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn) pain medication or substance use (like alcohol).Primary insomnia: This means your sleep problems aren’t linked to any other health condition or problem.There are two types of insomnia: primary and secondary. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. It may also come and go.Īcute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. The condition can be short-term (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). Melatonin may also be helpful for other circadian rhythm sleep disorders including advanced sleep-wake phase, free-running type or irregular sleep-wake rhythm.Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep. Typically, a small dose before you normally fall asleep may help. Taking melatonin may help you go to sleep earlier. This occurs when the timing of your circadian rhythms is delayed by two or more hours. If you regularly go to bed late at night and wake up late in the morning you may have delayed sleep-wake phase. But don’t take melatonin before your drive home. Take melatonin after the end of your shift, prior to your intended bedtime. Melatonin may help improve sleep quality and duration for some night shift workers. Small doses may be effective for minimizing the effects of jet lag. Doctors recommend taking melatonin before your intended bedtime, beginning before the start of your trip and continuing for a few days after your arrival. Research strongly suggests that melatonin is effective in reducing the symptoms of jet lag. Melatonin may be beneficial in the treatment of the following disorders: Jet lag The timing and dosage will vary for each person.

Your use of melatonin to help treat your circadian rhythm disorder should be overseen by a sleep doctor. How can melatonin treat circadian rhythm disorders?

Resources for Health Care Professionals.

Insomnia cures melatonin