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Introduction
Insomnia is a common condition. Most people will have an occasional bout of sleeplessness due to temporary stress, worry, or irregular schedule. However, when the inability to sleep well continues for weeks or months, it can become a health problem.
If you have chronic insomnia, it may be caused by an underlying factor such as depression, anxiety, or pain. Your insomnia will probably improve or disappear when the cause is treated successfully. Sometimes poor sleep becomes a problem of its own. Dwelling on it only makes it worse. Simply changing your beliefs about sleep and your everyday behaviors can improve your sleep dramatically.
"Sleep hygiene" measures include commonsense health practices and setting up an environment that promotes sleep.
What is sleep hygiene?
Why should I change my everyday habits?
How can I improve my sleep environment?
Where to go from here
More information about sleep problems can be found in the topics:
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| Last updated: | February 2, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Merrill Hayden |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Malin K. Clark, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Michele Cronen |
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