You know it as toss-and-turn disease. No matter what you do or try, you lie in bed, stewing like a Crock-Pot of Swedish meatballs. Technically, insomnia is defined as either not being able to get to sleep in the first place or not being able to get back to sleep after waking up.

Unbelievably, people over the age of 65 have an average of 25 awakenings a night, and that number increases with age. And one-third of all of us wake up repeatedly during the night, while a quarter of us wake up early in the morning and can't get back to sleep. « Collapse

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 some nights, often because of happy events like weddings or other special occasions, or because of stressful events like divorce or health problems. 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.

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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.

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