Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint at any age. It affects almost half of adults 60 and older.

Symptoms

If you have insomnia, you may experience any one or any combination of the following symptoms.

• taking a long time — more than 30 to 45 minutes — to fall asleep
• waking up many times each night
• waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep
• waking up feeling tired, and unable to function well during the day

Short-term insomnia, lasting less than one month, may result from a medical or psychiatric condition. Or it may occur after a change in personal circumstances like losing a loved one, relocating, financial worries, or being hospitalized. If insomnia lasts longer than a month, it is considered chronic, even if the original cause has been resolved.