Not getting enough shuteye can have serious implications for your health.
Insomnia is a serious sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Studies have shown insomnia affects approximatley 10% of the population. If you think you have insomnia, there are several signs to look for including feeling tired when you wake up and needing naps to get through the day. You might be feeling irritable, depressed, or anxious.
Those who have insomnia may also feel anxiety about sleep. The lack of sleep can lead to performance problems at work or clumsiness and accidents. Stress can lead to short-term insomnia, but if you have insomnia that lasts for a month or more, it’s considered chronic, and you may need an expert to help.
If you’re unsure whether you have insomnia or another sleep condition, a polysomnography, aka sleep study, can help a trained professional understand what is going on. Some of the treatments for insomnia include behavior therapy, building healthy sleeping habits, and looking at underlying causes. A doctor will review your sleep data and will be able to make a diagnosis, and can then create a treatment plan tailored to your condition.