Sleep Aids

You probably have insomnia if it is hard for you to fall asleep at night, if you often wake up during the night and cannot fall back asleep, if you wake up too early in the morning and cannot go back to sleep, or if you feel tired when you wake up.   If you find that you are sleepy, fatigued, irritable or unable to concentrate or remember things during the daytime, you may have insomnia. 

The insomnia is PRIMARY if it is the only problem you are having, and is not a symptom of any other disorder.  It is SECONDARY if there are other health problems that keep you from sleeping well -- for example, arthritis, asthma, cancer, depression or heartburn -- or if the medicines and substances you use --aspirin, alcohol, etc -- are keeping you awake.  

There are many different types of sleep disorders, with different underlying causes, but providers can identify most of them using a few simple diagnostic tools.  The tools below help patients identify their symptoms so that the care provider can direct them to the appropriate treatment.

If you are having trouble with sleep -- you are tired all day, falling asleep in the wrong places, or you sleep too little or too much, or you have frequent nightmares, your first order of business may be to speak with your doctor or with a sleep specialist.  Some US cities also have sleep clinics or sleep disorder centers with doctors on staff who specialize in sleep disorders.   The following organizations are useful in finding help or advice on sleep disorders.