Insomnia

Insomnia can cause problems during the day, such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, trouble thinking clearly or staying focused, or feeling depressed or irritable. It is not defined by the number of hours you sleep every night. Although the amount of sleep a person needs varies, most people need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition in which it is difficult to get to sleep, or to remain soundly asleep, resulting in too short and too low-quality sleep which affects normal functioning. It causes fatigue and daytime sleepiness. It may be classified as acute, lasting a few days or weeks, or chronic, when it lasts longer than a month.

Insomnia Causes

Insomnia Symptoms

Insomnia Treatment

Insomnia in Pregnancy

Promoting Sounder Sleep in Older Adults

Insomnia in Children

Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Causes of Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Treatment of Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Middle of the Night Insomnia

Middle of the Night Insomnia and Biphasic Sleeping

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Treatment of Middle-of-the-Night Insomnia

Screen Time and Insomnia

Latest Insomnia News and Research

Sleep strategies may boost ultramarathon performance, study finds

Study investigates sleep management's role in enhancing performance and recovery for ultramarathon runners, emphasizing strategies to counteract the negative effects of sleep deprivation.

14 Apr 2024

New review explores the key gender differences in sleep, circadian rhythms and metabolism

A new review of research evidence has explored the key differences in how women and men sleep, variations in their body clocks, and how this affects their metabolism.

12 Apr 2024

New sleep-enhancing nutraceutical blend falls short in clinical trial

Study investigates the impact of a unique nutraceutical blend, combining L-theanine with valerian, saffron, and lemon balm extracts, on improving sleep quality, finding no significant difference compared to a placebo in individuals experiencing poor sleep.

10 Apr 2024

Does IBD affect cancer risk?

Research suggests no strong genetic link between inflammatory bowel disease and increased cancer risk, with specific exceptions in European populations for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

3 Apr 2024

Exercise could be the cure to your insomnia

The association between physical activity and sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and current insomnia symptoms in adults.

27 Mar 2024

Consistent exercise improves sleep and reduces insomnia

Consistently exercising 2-3 times a week over the long term is linked to a lower current risk of insomnia as well as the ability to clock up the recommended 6-9 hours of shut eye every night, suggests an international 10-year study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

26 Mar 2024

Study sheds new light on the link between women's menstrual cycles, emotions, and sleep patterns

Women experience disruptions in their sleep patterns and report heightened feelings of anger in the days leading up to their period, according to new research.

21 Mar 2024

Physical activity is directly related to the risk of depression in married women, but not in married men

The association between physical exercise and depression risk among married individuals.

20 Mar 2024

Antipsychotic use during pregnancy not linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties

The use of antipsychotics during pregnancy isn't linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties, UNSW Sydney-led study shows – giving assurance to those concerned about continuing their medications during pregnancy.

18 Mar 2024

UArizona study identifies link between poor sleep and migraine attacks

A new study by researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences identified a link between poor sleep and migraine attacks that suggests improving sleep health may diminish migraine attacks in people with migraine.

13 Mar 2024

Self-guided digital behavioral therapy can be an alternative solution for insomnia

Are sleeping pills the only solution for insomnia? Not according to Flinders University's Dr Alexander Sweetman, who says that using self-guided digital behavioural therapy is an alternative solution that should be considered.

13 Mar 2024

Penn State team identifies distinct sleep patterns and their correlation to overall health

Poor sleep habits are strongly associated with long-term chronic health conditions, according to decades of research.

12 Mar 2024

Diabetes drug dulaglutide may reduce symptoms of depression

The current study highlighted the antidepressant effects of dulaglutide using the CMS depression model. Notably, the potential metabolisms that underlie the antidepressant effect of dulaglutide have been elucidated in this study.

8 Mar 2024

Brain waves drive waste removal during sleep, study finds

There lies a paradox in sleep. Its apparent tranquility juxtaposes with the brain's bustling activity. The night is still, but the brain is far from dormant.

28 Feb 2024

Understanding giggle incontinence: Causes, symptoms, and management

Giggle incontinence, a unique form of laughter-induced urinary incontinence, primarily affects children without other urological disorders, with treatment options including urotherapy, biofeedback, and methylphenidate.

27 Feb 2024

Nearly one-third of adults struggle to meet recommended sleep duration, study reveals

It's official. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night is currently out of reach for almost one-third of the population as Flinders University experts found 31% of adults had average sleep durations outside the recommended range.

23 Feb 2024

Sleep-circadian disturbances can trigger or worsen a range of psychiatric disorders

Problems with our sleep and internal body clock can trigger or worsen a range of psychiatric disorders, according to a new review of recent research evidence.

19 Feb 2024

‘Behind the times’: Washington tries to catch up with AI’s use in health care

Lawmakers and regulators in Washington are starting to puzzle over how to regulate artificial intelligence in health care — and the AI industry thinks there's a good chance they'll mess it up.

13 Feb 2024

COVID-19's lasting impact on smell and brain health unveiled

Study reviews the impact of COVID-19 on olfactory dysfunction and its link to neurocognitive disorders, highlighting MRI findings and potential treatments for smell loss.

12 Feb 2024

Complications during pregnancy linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke later in life

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, and women who have complications during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, have a significantly higher risk of heart disease and stroke later in life, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published today in Circulation, the Association's flagship peer-reviewed journal.

12 Feb 2024