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Insomnia is found in males and females of all age groups, although it seems to be more common in females and in the elderly.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because difficulty falling asleep, or waking up frequently during the night. Certain conditions seem to make individuals more likely to experience insomnia. Examples of these conditions include:
- Advanced age (insomnia occurs more frequently in those over age 60)
- Female gender
- A history of depression
- People experiencing stress, environmental noise, extreme temperatures, and side effects of medicines
Treatment for chronic insomnia consists of:
- Diagnosing and treating underlying medical or psychological problems.
- Identifying behaviors that may worsen insomnia and stopping (or reducing) them.
- Possibly using sleeping pills or other medications, as recommended by a physician
- Trying behavioral techniques to improve sleep, such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, and reconditioning.