Sleep apneaandinsomniaare both common sleep disorders.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is when someone has trouble falling or staying asleep.

Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
Symptoms
Difficulty falling or staying asleep are the primary symptoms of insomnia.
However, short-term insomnia can become chronic, especially if the stress is not processed or managed effectively.
You will need to discuss symptoms and the duration of your insomnia.
Upon diagnosis, there are several treatment options.
In many cases, complementing treatments with other treatments may help get the best overall results.
The goal of treatment is to get back to normal sleep conditions and handle the symptoms of insomnia.
Studies have also found CBT to reduce insomnia across many different populations effectively.
There are also several classes of medications used to assist with insomnia.
Often medication is used along with CBT for more significant results.
Some medications used to treat insomnia include:
Antidepressants and antipsychotics can also help treat insomnia in some cases.
It is important to discuss medication side effects and goals of treatment with your healthcare provider.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
This disrupts sleep by stopping or reducing airflow.
It can lead to many other health conditions, likestroke,diabetes,heart disease, and more.
Sleep apnea repeatedly disrupts sleep and prevents those who suffer from it from achieving a good night’s sleep.
Insomnia vs. Sleep Apnea
Insomnia involves difficulty in falling or staying asleep.
Sleep apnea disrupts sleep from a repeated air blockage or a pause in breathing.
Insomnia is when a person has difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Both can be chronic issues that lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
Fortunately, treatments are available that may help you.
If you are experiencing any sleep-related issues, see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnea doesn’t have a cure, but it can be treated effectively.
Moderate to severe sleep apnea can be treated by wearing an assistive machine during sleep.
This involves sleeping with a mask around the nose and mouth during sleep.
People who have insomnia may have undiagnosed physical or psychological issues or other reasons for their inability to sleep.
The best way to help is to encourage them to talk to their healthcare provider.
Fortunately, a provider can offer many helpful treatment options available for insomnia.
The half-life of caffeine is about 5 hours.
The best way to prevent caffeine insomnia is to avoid it entirely during the second half of the day.
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