Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of :1) difficulty falling asleep.
2) waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep
3) waking up too early in the morning.
Insomnia may cause problems during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Insomnia is considered to be chronic if it occurs on most nights and lasts a month or more.

What causes insomnia?
Certain conditions such as advanced age, female gender , a history of depression or anxiety seem to make individuals more prone to insomnia. Other causes of insomnia are: stress, environmental noise, extreme temperatures change in the surrounding environment, sleep/wake schedule problems such as shift work or jet lag , medication side effects.
Insomnia may also be due to the misuse of caffeine, alcohol, or other substances.
Chronic insomnia is more complex and often results from a combination of factors, including underlying physical or mental problems.
One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia is depression.
Other underlying causes include arthritis, kidney disease, heart failure, asthma, sleep apnoea,,, restless legs syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism.

HOW IS IT TREATED?
Occasional insomnia may not require treatment since episodes last only a few days at a time.
However, for people who experience daytime sleepiness and impaired performance as a result of transient insomnia,the use of short-acting sleeping pills may improve sleep and next-day alertness.
As with all drugs, there are potential side effects.
Treatment for chronic insomnia consists of:
First, diagnosing and treating underlying medical or psychological problems.
Identifying behaviors that may worsen insomnia and stopping (or reducing) them.
Trying behavioral techniques to improve sleep, such as
relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, and
reconditioning.
Relaxation Therapy. There are specific and effective
techniques that can reduce or eliminate anxiety and body tension.
Sleep Restriction. Some people may benefit from a sleep restriction program that at first allows only a few hours of sleep during the night. Gradually the time is increased until a more normal night's sleep is achieved.
Sleeping pills are mainly used to treat the short-lasting insomnia that may occur as a result of things going on in your life.
Sleeping pills that you can buy in a shop are not always effective. If you are older, taking over-the-counter sleeping pills may be risky, because they can cause confusion.
Several prescription and over-the-counter medicines encourage sleepiness, and many do this by cutting down on brain activity. These drugs may also cause daytime drowsiness and confusion and should only be used for short periods of time because of their habit-forming nature.

Self Help: Avoid stimulant such as coffee, tea, cola drink, eat more carbohydrate in the evening, or eat something sweet 20 minutes before going to bed

Go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Get regular exercise each day.

Keep the temperature in your bedroom reasonably cool. Keep the bedroom quiet when sleeping and dark enough.

Don’t exercise just before going to bed.

Don’t engage in stimulating activity such as playing a competitive game of cards or chess just before bed.

Avoid alcohol to help you sleep.

Don’t lie in bed awake for more than half an hour. Instead, get up, do some quiet activity, then return to bed when you are sleepy. Do this as many times in a night as you need.

Alternative treatments:
Acupuncture: a course of treatment may cure the problem and help you feeling generally better

Homeopathy: very effective when remedies are properly prescribed by a qualified practitioner, homeopathic tablets have no side effects

Herbal medicine: both Chinese and western herbs can be effective in the treatment of insomnia, over the counter remedies such as Valerian, Passiflora or Kava Kava are worth trying for transient insomnia

Aromatherapy: some essential oils such as Camomile, Lavender or Melissa are very calming and sedative; when combined with an aromatherapy massage, the result can be excellent. A course of treatment will be needed for long lasting effect.