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Insomnia, by itself, is not a disease. It may be a symptom of a physical and emotional imbalance or just manifestation of fatigue caused by lack of sleep. This condition is manifested by any of the following: a) light, interrupted sleep that one is still tired upon waking up, b) not being able to sleep, even if fatigued, c) lack of sleeping hours. Although this condition is usually temporary, insomnia may be classified based on the length of time it has affected the patient.

* Transient Insomnia - This circumstance remains just for a couple of days. Transient insomnia is typically caused by tension or as a direct reaction to change. It is occasionally called adjustment sleep disorder. The disorder might spring up after a traumatic issue or even during minor changes such as travelling or atmospheric condition changes.

Caffeine and nicotine are likewise maintained to affect sleeping patterns. Caffeine, which is present in coffee, and nicotine, existing in cigarettes, can induce transient insomnia. In most cases, treatment for transient insomnia is not needed. It usually concludes after a few days once the individual was capable to adapt to the brand-new situations or environment.

* Short-term Insomnia - This lasts for three weeks or less. Short-term insomnia and transient insomnia are almost similar in their causes.

Female hormonal changes can affect sleep patterns. One of the female hormones, progesterone, promotes sleep. During menstruation, when its levels are low, women may experience insomnia. On the other hand, during ovulation, the increase in progesterone levels increases sleepiness. Fluctuations in the level of progesterone during pregnancy and menopause cause altered sleeping patterns leading to transient insomnia. Although women after 50 also experience chronic insomnia, this is usually caused by psychological or emotional factors.

Changes in working conditions, such as shifting schedules, also cause short-term insomnia. Also, people who tend to overwork get less sleep than the average. In one study, insomnia was also observed in people doing much computer work.

Light can also touch on one’s sleep. A bit much light at nighttime can interrupt sleep or even prevent sleepiness. Also, little light during the day, as in disabled or senior patients who seldom go out can also cause short-term insomnia. This is since the degrees of melatonin reacting to darkness. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-sized gland at the centre of the brain, that assists and regulates the cycles of sleeping and awaking.

* Chronic insomnia - when a person couldn’t sleep, has interrupted sleep, or is still tired after sleeping; and the condition recurs for more than two nights every week for more than one month. Also, it is characterized when the patient is fatigued and believes that his daily activities are affected by this sleeping condition.

Based on the causes, chronic insomnia may be further characterized into primary or secondary: * Primary chronic insomnia - when the insomnia is not caused by any physical or mental imbalance. * Secondary chronic insomnia - may be caused by physical and mental conditions, such as depression, or emotional and psychiatric disorders.

In one study, in industrialized nations, chronic insomnia affects about ten percent of adults. Insomnia can affect a patient during daytime when patient may experience sleepiness in the mornings or in the afternoon. Some, despite their sleepiness report failure to nap. Even worse, another group reported excessive energy during the day. These people are more anxious and even more irritable.

Due to failure to get enough rest, these people have reduced concentration. If someone has preexisting medical condition, such as orthopedic pain or arthritis, this may be worsened by insomnia. When one suspects that he or she has insomnia, consulting a doctor would be the best advise. One of these therapies may also be tried.

* Minimizing ingestion of beverages containing caffeine. This includes coffee, cola and chocolate. It is advisable to limit intake after 3pm. For most individuals, these substances are excreted from the body in a couple of hours. But some people have slow biological excreting process, which caffeine can remain in the body longer than the norm.

* People can also limit stay in bed during the sleeping hours. This is effective to increase the tendency to sleep when in bed.