Knowra Insomnia Insomnia Insomnia is persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restorative sleep despite adequate opportunity for sleep. It can impair daytime functioning and occur independently or alongside other conditions.
Sleep homeostasis : The process by which pressure to sleep builds during wakefulness and declines during sleep. Insomnia can persist even when sleep pressure is high, because sleep regulation is not simply a matter of tiredness.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia : A structured treatment combining behavioral strategies and cognitive methods to improve sleep. It is a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia and addresses habits and beliefs that maintain it.
Sleep : A recurring biological state of reduced responsiveness and altered brain activity that supports health and functioning. Insomnia describes difficulty obtaining this essential state, rather than a lack of desire for it.
Daytime sleepiness : A tendency to doze or struggle to remain alert during waking hours. Insomnia can impair daytime alertness, although some people report fatigue without pronounced sleepiness.
Circadian rhythm : An internal roughly 24-hour cycle that organizes bodily processes, including sleep and wakefulness. Misalignment between sleep timing and the circadian clock can make falling asleep difficult.
Benzodiazepines : A class of drugs that enhance GABA signaling and can produce sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects. They can promote sleep short term, but tolerance, dependence, and other risks limit their use.
Chronic insomnia disorder : A disorder involving persistent sleep difficulty and daytime impairment, typically occurring at least three nights weekly for three months or longer. This diagnostic category captures insomnia that is recurrent and clinically impairing.
Fatigue : A subjective sense of low energy or exhaustion that can affect physical or mental activity. It is a common daytime consequence of insomnia and differs from the tendency to fall asleep.
Hyperarousal : A state of heightened mental or physiological activation that interferes with relaxation and sleep. Heightened alertness and stress responses can sustain wakefulness at bedtime.
Z-drugs : A group of nonbenzodiazepine medications, including zolpidem, used primarily as hypnotics. They are commonly prescribed for insomnia, but can cause adverse effects and are not a durable behavioral treatment.
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