Insomnia is a problem getting to sleep, staying asleep or feeling rested by sleep. It is a symptom rather than a disease. In fact, it is a symptom most everyone is likely to have at some point in their life. If the problem lasts for more than a few nights and the person has trouble functioning during the day because of it, then it is worth seeking help. Insomnia is treatable.

While most adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep, some need fewer and some need more hours of sleep each night. The general rule is that the amount of sleep a person needs is the amount that allows him/her to feel fully refreshed and alert all day long. The amount and kind of sleep a person gets changes with age. With age, some people start having trouble staying asleep, which can lead to a more interrupted night's sleep.

Most of us need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night to function at our best, although some people feel alert and rested after fewer hours. Insomnia is the inability to obtain adequate sleep. People experience insomnia in a variety of ways, including having difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking too early in the morning, and waking up feeling unrefreshed. Almost everyone experiences occasional bouts of insomnia.

If your sleep is disrupted for three or more nights a week for more than one month at a time, you have what is considered chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia often causes problems during the day, such as sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. It can contribute to poor performance on the job and car accidents, and profoundly affect your sense of well-being and general health.