Insomnia, << ihn SAHM nee uh, >> is the inability to sleep naturally. People often think of insomnia as an illness in itself. But it is actually a symptom (sign of illness) that may result from a number of causes. These causes include pain as well as anxiety, depression, and other mental illness. Drinking coffee, tea, and many energy drinks can cause insomnia. These drinks contain caffeine, a chemical that stimulates the nervous system. Stimulant drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamine, also prevent sleep. Disturbances in circadian rhythms, the body’s normal cycles of sleep and waking, can also impair a person’s ability to sleep well. So can a disorder such as sleep apnea (see Sleep apnea).
Insomnia can range from occasional to frequent and from mild to severe. In one extremely rare form, called fatal familial insomnia, people gradually lose the ability to fall asleep and eventually die.
Physicians often treat insomnia with sedative drugs, which reduce the activity of the nervous system (see Sedative). Doctors may also use other drugs that mimic certain brain chemicals associated with sleep, such as melatonin. Mild insomnia can often be treated without drugs by avoiding stimulants, getting proper exercise, and improving sleep habits.
