Another symptom is frequent long pauses in breathing during sleep, followed by choking and gasping for breath. People with sleep apnea do not get enough restful sleep, and their daytime performance is often seriously affected. Sleep apnea may also lead to hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. However, it can be treated, and the sleep apnea patient can live a near-normal life. The primary cause of inadequate sleep or insomnia is worry.
Insomnia has many causes, including physical and mental conditions and stress.
Insomnia is the perception that you don't get enough sleep because you can't fall asleep or stay asleep or get back to sleep once you've awakened during the night. It affects people of all ages, usually for just an occasional night or two. Sometimes, however, the condition can last for weeks, months, or even years. Because insomnia can become a chronic problem, it is important to have it diagnosed and treated if it persists for more than a month. This is a Letter excerpt only.