Health Tip: Can't Sleep?

(HealthDay News) -- If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, it's important to understand the reasons for your insomnia.

Here's a list of possible reasons for your sleepless nights, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Discomfort or illness.
• Depression.
• Stress or anxiety.
• Drinking caffeine or alcohol, smoking, or taking certain medications or illicit drugs.
• An inappropriate sleep environment, including one that's too bright or too noisy.
• Related activities that affect your sleep, such as taking naps or going to bed too early.

Insomnia at Menopause: Learning to Love My Inner Teenage Night Owl

By Sally Chew

I didn’t mind being an insomniac when I was in high school. Wandering around the house in the middle of the night was annoying, but so was everything else. Besides, like most teenagers (and owls and vampires), I slept fine during daylight hours. Now, as I approach menopause, I find myself returning to those restless teenage nights.

After decades of deep sleep, I’m wide awake again and not amused. Friends traveling with me recently threatened to hit me over the head if that’s what it took to put me out. Read More