Insomnia is possibly something many of us deal with, including myself. So how do we know if we have insomnia and what are the problems associated with having it? We know we have it when we have difficulties getting to sleep, staying asleep or having enough quality sleep; despite having ample opportunity to sleep.

Insomnia may lead to problems with our well-being, which can have a knock on effect on our performance the next day. Sleep patterns for insomnia are different for many of us. In my particular case, I have no trouble getting to sleep, but then I may wake in the early hours, when I can be awake for an hour and a half, until sleep finds me again.

We all have and deal with stress. Personally, I try to sort out stress during the day, so there’s nothing on my mind before I turn in for the night. Before the day is out, what I've had to deal with usually gets sorted out; but it's easy to get caught out.

For other people it may be different of course. People with depression may struggle with sleep, as are those people whose physical illness, causes them pain. Work worries may also contribute to insomnia, as can drinking too much caffeine and alcohol. People who take medication for health reasons may also have problems with insomnia.

The long-term problems for those of us living with insomnia are poor concentration and a general inability to be able to cope. Insomnia could also be linked to immune problems, because the less we sleep the harder our immune system has to work to cope, with the lack of sleep. Sleep problems may also contribute to heart problems.

There are conventional medications on the market that help with insomnia. Anything that is induced is forced and that in my mind, may bring other problems.