General practice·General practice
Sleep difficulty
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
Sleep difficulty, also called insomnia, means having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep. It can affect your energy, mood, and ability to function during the day.
Key facts
- Sleep difficulty is very common and can affect anyone at any age.
- Short-term sleep problems often get better on their own or with simple lifestyle changes.
- Long-term sleep difficulty can increase the risk of health problems like high blood pressure and depression.
Yes, sleep difficulty is extremely common. About one in three people in the UK experience some form of insomnia at some point in their lives.
Sleep difficulty can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in women, older adults, and people who are stressed, anxious, or have certain medical conditions.