Maybe you have heard a friend say, "I am suffering from insomnia," or maybe you have said it yourself. Well, we all know that means that you aren't sleeping at night when you should be, but do you know what kind of you or your friend has?

There are three basic types or kinds of insomnia. They are:

1. Transient Insomnia: Transient is a temporary that will last a night or two. Usually transient is caused by temporary stress or excitement. Illness can cause and so can a change in the regular sleep schedule. Think jet lag.

2. Short-Term Insomnia: Now short-term can last up to three weeks. That is why your doctor will ask you how long you have been having trouble sleeping. Short-term is caused by such things as the death of a loved one, financial problems, a job change, or a divorce. Short-term needs to be addressed or it can develop into a chronic problem. The short-term use of sleeping pills or of herbs that provide relaxation can help.

3. Chronic Insomnia: Chronic is that lasts a month or longer. can occur every night or most nights or just several nights each and every month. Usually chronic is caused by a medical problem. The medical problem needs to be identified and treated, and the will likely go away all by itself.

Insomnia is a symptom. Transient or short-term will correct itself when the stressful situation improves. Chronic will correct itself when the medical cause is identified and treated. is not a disease, but rather a symptom. It is better to treat the cause rather than the symptom, although temporary use of over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids can be of help but should only be used temporarily.