Sleep Problems

Do you have trouble sleeping? Sleep problems can include the inability to fall asleep at night, stay asleep through the night, or difficulty waking up in the morning. Human beings have adapted to living in a 24-hour environment by developing an internal timing system. When humans are not able to process external stimuli such as light and dark, or information about time from a variety of sources, ranging from physical exertion to social activity, the master clock of the body—located in the brain—can miss cues that tells us when to sleep or to be awake.

Although sleep disturbances are common in the general population, we find that older adults, women, and those with other medical conditions seem to be at greater risk for having sleep problems. A quarter of older adults suffer with sleep problems, but this is usually due to, or associated with, other health problems. And complaints about sleep problems are more prevalent with women than men across the entire life span. This is probably due to changes in hormonal levels that affect women during various phases of life from menstruation and pregnancy, to menopause, all of which can contribute to insomnia.

If you're experiencing sleep problems, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she can evaluate your health and sleep, and can suggest behavioral strategies to help you sleep better. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also recommend that you take a prescription sleep medication.

By taking this proactive step, you will soon find that there are solutions and treatments that can help you improve your sleep.