You may still feel tired when you wake up.

At some point, many adults experience short-term (acute) insomnia, which lasts for days or weeks.

It’s usually the result of stress or a traumatic event.

But some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia that lasts for a month or more.

Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be associated with other medical conditions or medications.

You don’t have to put up with sleepless nights.

Simple changes in your daily habits can often help.

Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be associated with other conditions.

Chronic insomnia is usually a result of stress, life events, or habits that disrupt sleep.

Treating the underlying cause can fix the insomnia, but sometimes it can last for years.

Treating the medical condition may help improve sleep, but the insomnia may persist after the medical condition improves.

Additional common causes of insomnia include:

Insomnia becomes more common with age.

They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the morning.

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night.

Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically.

People with insomnia report a lower quality of life compared with people who are sleeping well.

Typically, CBT-I is equally or more effective than sleep medications.

The cognitive part of CBT-I teaches you to recognize and change beliefs that affect your ability to sleep.

It can help you control or eliminate negative thoughts and worries that keep you awake.

Prescription sleeping pills can help you get to sleep, stay asleep, or both.

Nonprescription sleep medications contain antihistamines that can make you drowsy, but they’re not intended for regular use.

Many people never visit their doctor for insomnia and have a go at cope with sleeplessness on their own.

Some products can be harmful and some can cause harm if you’re taking certain medications.

If you’re having sleep problems, you’ll likely start by talking to your primary care doctor.

Take your bed partner along, if possible.

Your doctor may ask you several questions, such as those below.

The key often lies in changes to your routine during the day and when you go to bed.

These tips may help.