Insomnia

Insomnia means you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or you wake too early. You wake feeling un-refreshed and you feel tired during the day.

For some people, insomnia lasts a night or two. For others, it tortures them for months or even years. Doctors used to think of insomnia only as a symptom of a disease such as depression or anxiety or a result of chronic pain. However, research shows it may be a condition by itself.

Insomnia might also be related to lifestyle. Do you go to bed too late? Do you exercise too close to bedtime? Do you drink caffeinated coffee after dinner?

Insomnia is a serious problem for millions of Americans. More than half of adults in the United States have insomnia a few nights a week or more, according to the National Sleep Foundation. That's troubling because sleep is one of the most basic of human needs and one of the most crucial. If you don't sleep well or get enough sleep, your quality of life suffers. Lack of sleep affects how well you do your job, how quickly your mind works and possibly even your weight and how well your immune system fights disease. Plus, drowsy drivers are a hazard. Yet many people suffer for months or even years before getting help.

Not everyone needs the same amount of sleep. Some need eight hours while others need less. So, it's up to you to decide if you aren't getting enough or not sleeping well.

Prognosis

Insomnia is usually treatable whether it is a symptom of a disease or a condition itself. Getting treatment for an underlying condition, lifestyle changes and medication may help.

More on Insomnia
Sleepless in America
Sleep Shortage Doubly Dangerous
What Is Insomnia?
Uncovering How Men and Women Sleep
Grow Old, Sleep Less?
Do Sleepless Nights Ruin Your Day?
Can Lack of Sleep Make You Gain Weight?
Restless Legs, Restless Nights
Asleep at the Wheel? The Problem of Excessive Sleepiness

In the Encyclopedia:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Narcolepsy
Central nervous system depressants
Sleep disorders
Anti-insomnia drugs

Symptoms of Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up frequently during the night
Waking up too early in the morning
Waking up tired

Asthma

Definition

Asthma is a long-lasting inflammatory lung disease, characterized by:

* Constriction of the airways in the lungs

* Swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes in the lungs

* Secretion of excessive amounts of thick mucus

This inflammation is activated by irritants or allergens, called triggers. As a result, you may have trouble breathing, be short of breath, wheeze and cough. Sometimes your symptoms can become severe enough to warrant treatment in an emergency room.

Asthma usually begins in childhood, although onset in adulthood is not uncommon. About 20 million people in the United States have asthma. And more than 70 percent of people with asthma have allergies.

Treatment focuses on:

* "Rescue," usually by means of a device called an inhaler when your symptoms are severe enough to cause trouble breathing.

* Prevention of symptoms, by a combination of managing triggers (eliminating dust, for example) and medications.

Prognosis

There is no known cure for asthma. In most people, symptoms get less severe as they get older. However, asthma can be a complication for older adults who develop other respiratory problems, such as emphysema. Effective management of your condition can help you live a healthy and full life.

More on Asthma in Adults
Basic Information About Asthma
Asthma Glossary

In the Encyclopedia:
Allergic rhinitis
Allergies
Anoxia
Antiasthmatic drugs
Asthma

Asthma Symptoms
Wheezing
Tightness in chest
Difficulty breathing