Getting to sleep at night can be difficult for many, however it if the problem becomes persistent then you need to seek help because you may be suffering from insomnia. Insomnia occurs in men and women of any age, although it seems to be more prominent in menopausal women and the elderly. Regardless, if you can't sleep, go to sleep only to wake up and not be able to return to sleep, and have not had a good night's rest in days or weeks then you have a problem with insomnia and need professional help.

Unfortunately, many individuals who have insomnia believe it to be something they can handle on their own and do not consider talking to a physician for help. There are three types of insomnia that affect people and the less severe versions are the ones individuals seem to try and ignore the most. Transient insomnia lasts a couple of nights, short term insomnia lasts from two to three weeks and chronic insomnia lasts for longer than three weeks. All of these types of insomnia make it difficult for individuals to get rest, and unfortunately the longer a person goes without sleep the more it impacts their bodies.

There are several things that may be the cause of your insomnia. Some of the possible factors include improper nutrition, physical pain, illness, depression, stress, certain foods, not enough exercise, and even too much exercise right before bedtime. Any of these can cause your insomnia, so you need to detect the reason for your insomnia before you can do anything about it. Once you determine the cause then you can work on correcting it. For example, not drinking caffeine or exercising before dinner, practicing stress management, and the like will help you handle your insomnia.

You should, of course, not live with insomnia and contact your doctor for help. Your doctor will offer suggestions and help you figure out how to handle and treat your insomnia. If you suffer from chronic insomnia and are experiencing poor concentration, accidents, nervousness, fatigue, irritability, memory loss and decreased memory to name a few. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for your insomnia and help you get a good night's rest.