Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep complaint that occurs when you have a hard time going to sleep, you go to sleep but have a hard time staying asleep, and/or you tend to wake up too early and are unable to go back to sleep. These symptoms of insomnia can be caused by a variety of biological, psychological and social factors. They most often result in an inadequate amount of sleep, even though the sufferer has the opportunity to get a full night of sleep. Insomnia is different from sleep deprivation, which occurs when an individual does not have the opportunity to get a full night of sleep. A small percentage of people who have trouble sleeping are actually short sleepers who can function normally on only five hours of sleep or less. 

There are two types of insomnia—primary and secondary. 

• Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that cannot be attributed to an existing medical, psychiatric or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or medications). 
• Secondary insomnia is when symptoms of insomnia arise from a primary medical illness, mental disorders or other sleep disorders. It may also arise from the use, abuse or exposure to certain substances.

To find a physician in Memphis or Olive Branch that specializes in sleep disorders, please call 901.683.0044.