No longer a rare occurrence, insomnia affects many people each year. The good news is many of the sufferers are suffering only temporary. Those who occasionally deal with temporary insomnia can almost always link their lack of rest to a specific life event or something stressful occurring in their life.

A small group of Americans suffer from the type of insomnia that lasts more than just a few nights and may struggle with sleeplessness for weeks at a time. Sometimes, the persistent insomnia is so severe it can last for months or years. The insomnia sufferers who deal with chronic insomnia really know what the side effects associated with insomnia can mean to a normal life.

Before talking about insomnia's side effects, it's important to analyze and determine which type of insomnia the sufferer is experiencing. There are generally three different types, and sufferers usually fall easily into one of the three categories. They may not be able to fall asleep at all, they may be able to get some rest but wake every few hours, or they may sleep and remain asleep for three hours or more but then wake and not be able to fall back asleep.

Those who suffer from insomnia often seek out over-the-counter medication for help. Sadly, most sleep aids found over-the-counter don't address each form of insomnia, but only focus on helping you get to sleep. Sufferers who can fall asleep but can't stay asleep often find themselves still waking in the night, with increased tiredness from the pills.

Headaches and the inability to concentrate are two of the most common side effects stated by individuals suffering from insomnia of any kind. Irritability is another side effect that can transfer onto those around the insomniac and make social and working relationships challenging. With the insomniac trying to avoid letting their lack of rest transfer into other areas of their life, it's almost impossible to accomplish.

When an insomniac has run out of natural energy reserves, chronic insomnia becomes a dangerous condition. The lack of sleep may cause problems with driving and reacting to traffic situations even as a pedestrian. The sufferer may find that she or he is at a heightened risk of becoming involved in a traffic accident.

When insomniacs realize that their chronic lack of sleep is adversely affecting driving and also workplace behavior, sometimes this leads to unwise lifestyle choices. In some cases, insomniacs may attempt to counteract their lack of sleep, ability to concentrate, and overall moodiness with over the counter drugs or herbal stimulants. Unfortunately, some of these substances are dangerous as they adversely affect some concurrently existing conditions.

Those who suffer from insomnia will also often attempt to gain the sleep they need through the dangerous act of overindulging in alcohol and recreational drugs. This practice is terrible dangerous for the insomniac and those in their life! Greatfully, there are successful treatments available that can allow those suffering with insomnia to gain the rest they desperately desire.