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Insomnia is the most common adult sleep complaint.The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in the survey on adults over 18 years,in 2004-2005,found that as many as 21% of adults thought they had sleep problem.

In spite of its prevalence and adverse effects,insomnia remains under-diagnosed and untreated.A principal cause of this inadequate detection and treatment,reside in two causes.First the patient doesn't consider a condition appropriate to ask for evaluation and treatment.Second,the physician derails the subject,being afraid that the patient can ask hypnotic medications.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has defined insomnia as " complaints of disturbed sleep in the presence of adequate opportunity and circumstance for sleep".Insomnia may result from difficulty in falling asleep,difficulty in maintaining or staying asleep,waking too early,or a combination of these symptoms.

The NIH describe two general types of insomnia:
1. Primary insomnia,which occurs in the absence of other disorders.
2. Co-morbid insomnia,when is associated with concurrent medical,psychiatric,or sleep disorders.This is most common type of insomnia.Among the conditions associate with insomnia:cardiac failure,pulmonary condition(asthma,COPD,pulmonar y sclerosis)osteoarticular(chron ic arthritis,rheumatic,)neuralgic disorders(MS,chronic neuropathy,trigeminal neuralgia,migraine,chronic headaches)genitourinary (benign prostate hypertrophy,urinary tract infections,prostate cancer),pain syndromes from different etiology.
In this group are included also,psychiatric syndromes like: anxiety disorder,depression,alcohol abuse,drug abuse,restless legs syndrome.The National Institute of Mental Health found that 40% of people with insomnia were also diagnosed with a co-morbid psychiatric disorder.

Risk Factors for insomnia:
These factors has to be evaluated during the medical interview.The physician has to ask the patient,the family members or care giver about the quality of sleep,number of hours asleep and type of sleep.The most risk factors for insomnia are:
- Age-older patients have a greater prevalence of insomnia.
- Women in post and perimenopausal periods.
- Patients who are divorced,separated,or widowed,have frequent insomnia.
- Alcohol,coffee and cigarette smoking,can create conditions for insomnia.
- Prescription

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