Insomnia - Definition, causes, & more

Written by Sarah Thebarge, Physician Assistant; Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Koickel, MD on August 5th, 2025.

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Those who suffer from insomnia have a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early and can’t get back to sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 30% of adults in the U.S. get less than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

Without a full night of quality rest, most people end up feeling perpetually tired. Not getting enough sleep can affect every aspect of your life, including your mood, mental health, physical health, energy levels, work performance and quality of life. 

In some cases, adjusting daily habits might be all that is needed to get back to sleeping six to eight hours a night. However, you may sometimes need additional support from a healthcare provider to investigate what’s keeping you up at night.  

Common causes of insomnia

There are many reasons why someone may experience insomnia, including stress, medications and anxiety. Insomnia could be the primary issue or it might be a symptom of another condition. You may experience short-term (acute) insomnia, or it can be long-term (chronic) insomnia. 

Common causes of insomnia include:

• Uncontrolled stress is a major cause of insomnia. Constantly worrying about work, school or other life events can cause your mind to race and keep you up at night. 
• Traveling from one time zone to another can disrupt your sleep cycle and interfere with your body’s circadian rhythms. 
• Having an irregular sleep schedule due to work or working the night shift can impact your sleep cycle. 
• Sleeping in an uncomfortable environment that is too loud, too bright or with other sleep disruptors like pets or children can impact sleep.
• Staring at a digital screen right before bed can affect your sleep cycle due to blue light exposure, which impacts melatonin, the sleep hormone. 
• Eating a large meal before bed can lead to physical discomfort or heartburn, which may keep you up at night. 
• Anxiety disorders can make it difficult for you to fall asleep or cause disruptions throughout the night. Depression and other mental health disorders may lead to insomnia as well.  
• Antidepressants and medications for asthma or blood pressure can interrupt sleep. Over-the-counter medications containing caffeine can also interfere.
• Chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease are often associated with insomnia. 
• Sleep-related disorders like sleep apnea, which stops your breathing, can cause you to wake up periodically throughout the night. 
• Stimulants such as nicotine, coffee, tea or caffeinated soda in the evening can prevent you from falling asleep. Alcohol often disrupts your sleep cycle and prevents you from reaching deeper stages of sleep. 

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

From your job to your interactions with others, not getting enough sleep can affect every aspect of your life. Common symptoms of insomnia include:

• Constantly waking up throughout the night
• Continuously worrying about sleep
• Difficulty falling asleep 
• Difficulty focusing or trouble concentrating
• Fatigue or low energy
• Increased errors or accidents
• Irritability, depression or anxiety
• Waking up too early

How long does insomnia last?

Insomnia can be acute or chronic. Acute insomnia is short-term and can last between one night to a few weeks. Chronic insomnia is long-term and can occur at least three nights a week for three months or more. Insomnia can also come and go, depending on your habits, stress levels, life stage and other factors. 

How to treat insomnia?

Insomnia treatment will vary depending on the severity and underlying cause. In most cases, acute insomnia will resolve on its own without any special treatment. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe sleep aid medications for a short period to help you fall asleep. 

For chronic insomnia, you’ll need to identify and treat the conditions that are interrupting your sleep cycle. You may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. This can help you learn which habits need to be adjusted to achieve a full night’s rest. 

How to treat insomnia naturally without medication

Many natural approaches can help regulate sleep for those suffering from short-term insomnia. You can take control of your sleep with these simple lifestyle changes:

• Exercising regularly: Doing at least 30 minutes of exercise daily can help lower cortisol, the stress-causing hormone, and allow you to get a better night’s sleep.
• Getting natural light exposure: Exposing your eyes to natural light in the morning can help wake your brain up and regulate sleep rhythms. 
• Practicing meditation and mindful breathing: Meditating and taking deep breaths before bed can help relax the mind and brain. 
• Sticking to a regular sleep routine: Having the same bedtime and wake-up time can help regulate your sleep patterns. 
• Turning off phone notifications: Turn off anything that may interrupt your sleep, including lights, noise and phones. 

How to prevent insomnia

To help prevent insomnia, you should avoid:

• Alcohol and nicotine before bedtime or in excess
• Drinking caffeine after 12 p.m. 
• Eating large meals right before bedtime
• Napping during the day
• Staring at digital screens right before bed 

When should you see a healthcare provider for insomnia?

You should consult your healthcare provider if:

• You’re taking a new medication that is interrupting your sleep cycle
• Symptoms of insomnia continue past four weeks or interfere with your ability to function regularly 
• You have heartburn that keeps you up at night
• You wake up gasping for breath and are concerned about sleep apnea
• You’re experiencing physical pain that is interrupting your sleep 
• You’re experiencing depression or anxiety

In summary

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects adolescents, adults and the elderly. Common symptoms include trouble falling asleep and waking up throughout the night. Insomnia can be acute, lasting only a few days or weeks, or chronic, which can be long-term and related to other health conditions. 

Our caring providers can help recommend the right insomnia treatment so you can get a good night’s rest. 

We’re here to help

To get started, find the center nearest you and walk in or save your spot online. We’re here seven days a week to help care for you. We can help diagnose and treat your insomnia.

FAQs

Here are a few frequently asked questions about insomnia.

What is the main cause of insomnia?

Insomnia can have many underlying causes. It can be caused by stress, health conditions, medications, food, too much caffeine, a poor sleeping environment or lifestyle habits that do not support sleep.

Can you go to urgent care for insomnia?

Yes, you can visit urgent care for insomnia. A healthcare provider will help evaluate the underlying cause of your insomnia and provide lifestyle recommendations, referrals to specialists or medications when appropriate.

What is the best treatment for insomnia?

The best insomnia treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Treatment usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes, addressing health conditions or medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can help you identify lifestyle factors that are impacting your sleep. 

When should you see a doctor for insomnia?

You should see a doctor for insomnia if it is significantly impacting your life, has no specific cause or lasts longer than a few days or weeks.

Can urgent care prescribe sleeping pills?

Yes, if appropriate, urgent care can prescribe sleeping pills.

How can I cure insomnia naturally?

Insomnia can be cured naturally by improving sleep hygiene, which are practices and habits that help people experience restorative sleep. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can help as well.

References:

1. https://sleepeducation.org/cdc-americans-sleep-deprived/