Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to get sufficient sleep. Long-term, it can affect your day-to-day life, mood, and ability to function normally. It can also lead to serious physical and mental health issues.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, with some studies suggesting that it affects up to 1 in 3 people in the UK.
In adults, it’s defined as the inability to fall or stay asleep for 7 to 9 hours a night more than 3 times a week.
If you have insomnia, you may wake up feeling unrefreshed and remain tired throughout the day, which can affect your day-to-day life and ability to function. Long-term insomnia has also been linked to several health issues.
There are 2 main forms of insomnia:
transient (short-term) insomnia – this is insomnia that lasts less than 3 months and is usually caused by a temporary change or a stressful life event
chronic (long-term) insomnia – this is insomnia that lasts for over 3 months
At our state-of-the-art Sleep Centre, our skilled sleep specialists use the latest technologies to diagnose and treat insomnia.
Paediatrics
We offer appointments to paediatric patients aged 12 to 18. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatrics page.
More information
You may have insomnia if you experience:
difficulty falling asleep
waking up several times during the night
waking up early and being unable to go back to sleep
feeling tired or unrefreshed after you wake up
finding it difficult to nap during the day, even if you feel tired
feeling tired and irritable during the day
slower response times
poor memory
difficulty concentrating during the day
The cause of insomnia isn’t fully understood and varies from person to person.
Possible causes include:
a family history of sleep problems
differences in brain chemistry
poor sleep hygiene
stressful or significant life events
temporary changes such as shift work, jet lag, a change in your schedule, or sleeping in an unfamiliar place
certain medical conditions such as chronic pain, acid reflux, thyroid disorders or Parkinson’s disease
menopause
mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety or depression
using alcohol, caffeine, or some prescription or recreational drugs
At your initial consultation, you may be seen by a consultant neurologist and/or respiratory, who specialises in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.
Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history and any medications you take regularly. They will conduct a thorough sleep assessment and ask you some questions about your sleeping habits, personal circumstances and lifestyle. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your sleep-wake cycle to give your consultant as much information as possible to make an accurate diagnosis.
We also offer neurological sleep studies, where your brain activity, eye movements, breathing, heart rate, and limb movements are recorded while you sleep to try to find the cause of your insomnia.
Insomnia can’t always be prevented, but practising good sleep hygiene may help you get a good night’s sleep. Good sleep hygiene aims to reset your sleep/wake cycle by implementing healthy habits, establishing a sleep routine and creating an environment conducive to sleep.
You can practice good sleep hygiene by:
maintaining a consistent sleep schedule – going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, can help to regulate your internal body clock
optimising your sleep environment – ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature
avoiding or limiting daytime naps
establishing a bedtime ritual with relaxing activities such as taking a warm bath, reading, or listening to calming music
avoiding screentime from your phone, television, or laptop for at least 30 minutes before you go to bed
avoiding alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and eating a heavy meal too close to bedtime
taking regular exercise (avoid intense activity for a few hours before bed)
managing your stress levels
if you wake up during the night and can’t go back to sleep, get up and do a relaxing activity until you feel drowsy, then go back to bed
Insomnia is often a temporary and treatable condition, but if your insomnia is severe or long-lasting, it can have implications for your long-term health and wellbeing. Regularly not getting enough sleep can lead to tiredness and poor concentration, which can increase your risk of accidents.
Chronic insomnia can also increase your risk of certain health conditions, including:
high blood pressure
heart disease
stroke
type 2 diabetes
obstructive sleep apnoea.
obesity
weakened immune system
depression and anxiety
suicidal thoughts
psychosis
Treatment for insomnia depends on the type of insomnia you have and the cause. Your consultant will create a personalised treatment plan that best suits your individual needs.
Treatments for insomnia include:
improved sleep hygiene – transient (short-term) insomnia can often be treated by improving your sleep hygiene. Your consultant may ask you to keep a sleep journal to see if your insomnia improves or requires further treatment
cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) – involves changing your thought patterns and reinforcing positive sleeping behaviours. It’s one of the most effective treatments for insomnia, with around 80% of patients experiencing improvements
At Welbeck, our sleep specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
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Frequently asked questions
If you wake up feeling refreshed and don’t feel tired during the day, you’re probably getting enough sleep.
Make an appointment with a sleep specialist if you have difficulty sleeping for more than 3 nights a week for over a month, or if your inability to sleep is affecting your daily life and improving your sleep hygiene has not helped.
How much sleep you need varies from person to person and depends on your age. On average, adults need 7 to 9 hours, children need 9 to 13 hours, and babies and toddlers need 12 to 17 hours.
There are several over-the-counter remedies for insomnia, including natural remedies that contain ingredients like valerian or lavender, melatonin and medications containing antihistamines.
Over-the-counter medications and sleep aids can help you sleep better short term, but are not a long-term solution or a cure for insomnia. Like any medication, sleep remedies can cause side effects such as drowsiness, which can affect your ability to work or drive. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication carefully and ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. Don’t take over-the-counter sleep aids for more than a week or 2, and talk to your doctor before taking any medication for insomnia.