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If you have insomnia (poor-quality sleep), you may find it hard to fall asleep, to stay asleep, or both.

The three main types of sleep disturbance are:¹

• Difficulty falling asleep. This is the most common problem
• Difficulty staying asleep. Older people are more likely to have this problem
• Early morning awakening. You may wake up early and be unable to get back to sleep. This problem is less common.

You could also have problems during the day because you haven't had enough sleep. You may:

• Feel tired
• Be irritable
• Find it hard to concentrate.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.