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 in Pregnancy

Treatment of Middle-of-the-Night Insomnia

Screen Time and Insomnia

Insomnia in Children

Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Treatment of Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Promoting Sounder Sleep in Older Adults

Middle of the Night Insomnia

Insomnia Symptoms

Causes of Sleep-Onset Insomnia

Insomnia Treatment

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Insomnia Causes

Middle of the Night Insomnia and Biphasic Sleeping

Latest Insomnia News and Research

New review illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation

A comprehensive review published today in Brain Medicine illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, establishing the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a critical pathway in understanding and potentially treating sleep disorders.

4 Nov 2025

Long-term use of melatonin supplements linked to higher risk of heart failure and death

Long-term use of melatonin supplements, often used to promote sleep and address insomnia, was associated with a higher risk of heart failure diagnosis, heart failure hospitalization and death from any cause in chronic insomnia, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.

3 Nov 2025

How branding and peer pressure keep kids hooked on energy drinks

Children and adolescents in North East England still find energy drinks easy to access despite a voluntary UK ban, drawn by taste, price, and powerful marketing. Hydration drinks like PRIME are viewed as “healthier,” even though young consumers often misunderstand their ingredients and health impacts.

28 Oct 2025

Reducing prescriptions of sleep drugs in older adults could provide health and economic benefits

Millions of older Americans suffering from insomnia regularly use prescription sleep medications, despite the risk of serious side effects-such as falls, broken bones

28 Oct 2025

Hormone therapy does not consistently reduce menopause-related anxiety, new review finds

Anxiety is a common and significant symptom of menopause and perimenopause, largely due to hormone fluctuations. Numerous studies have focused on the potential benefits of hormone therapy in reducing anxiety.

21 Oct 2025

Caring-healing approaches strengthen resilience and emotional recovery in cancer survivors

As cancer survivorship rises, many people living with or beyond cancer face lasting physical and emotional challenges – particularly anxiety and depression, which affect about 30% of this population. Emotional distress is often unspoken, leading to fear, despair, and diminished quality of life.

16 Oct 2025

New mothers more likely to experience severe pain and sleep problems after C-section

New mothers are more likely to experience severe pain that disrupts sleep and activities of daily living, as well as develop sleep disorders, if they give birth by cesarean delivery (C-section), suggests research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2025 annual meeting.

12 Oct 2025

Huawei smartwatch nearly matches gold-standard sleep test

A study reveals the HUAWEI WATCH GT2 smartwatch accurately tracks sleep stages, yet it falls short in diagnosing sleep disorders compared to PSG.

7 Oct 2025

Long commutes and small homes linked to insomnia in Tokyo adults

Researchers examine the relationship between commute time and house area with insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

6 Oct 2025

Poor sleep habits associated with faster aging of the brain

People who sleep poorly are more likely than others to have brains that appear older than they actually are.

30 Sep 2025

Exercise helps improve sleep and mood in smokers over 40

Getting enough weekly exercise may help smokers over 40 reduce depression and sleep issues to levels seen in non-smokers, according to a study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health.

26 Sep 2025

Older adults can bounce back from health and emotional challenges

A new Canadian study is offering a powerful message to older adults and those who care for them: it's never too late to bounce back.

24 Sep 2025

Study highlights critical mental health risk for eczema patients

A new international study presented today at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025 reveals that adults with atopic eczema (AE) are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, with researchers uncovering the key factors driving this elevated risk.

17 Sep 2025

Why are more older people dying after falls?

For a while, walking the dog felt hazardous. Earl Vickers was accustomed to taking Molly, his shepherd-boxer-something-else mix, for strolls on the beach or around his neighborhood in Seaside, California. A few years ago, though, he started to experience problems staying upright.

15 Sep 2025

Elinzanetant reduces hot flashes in menopause

The OASIS-3 trial demonstrates elinzanetant's effectiveness in alleviating menopausal symptoms, reducing hot flashes significantly over a year-long study.

11 Sep 2025

Chronic insomnia linked to faster cognitive decline and brain changes

People with chronic insomnia may experience faster declines in memory and thinking skills as they age-along with brain changes that can be seen on imaging scans-than people who do not have chronic insomnia, according to a study published in the September 10, 2025, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

10 Sep 2025

Common diabetes drug metformin cuts long covid risk by 64 percent in UK study

A large UK-based retrospective cohort study found that initiating metformin within 90 days of COVID-19 diagnosis reduced the risk of Long COVID by 64% in overweight and obese adults. The findings suggest metformin may offer a low-cost preventive option pending confirmation from randomized trials.

8 Sep 2025