More than 70 million Americans have experienced insomnia in the past year. Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. It can be transient, lasting a few days or weeks, or it can be chronic, lasting for months to years. While any degree of insomnia can lead to problems, by far the most serious form is chronic insomnia. This is because transient and short-term insomnias are usually caused by temporary and easily identifiable factors, while chronic insomnia is more often due to medical, neurological, or psychiatric problems and may require a thorough evaluation.
Stress can often be a contributing factor to insomnia.
The center teaches patients relaxation techniques to reduce mental stress and restore normal sleep. Other factors that often contribute to insomnia are poor sleep habits, extended use of medications or drugs, and excessive intake of alcohol.