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A common misconception about sleep disorders is that an insomnia symptom is simply 'not being able to sleep'. Actually, it is a lot more complicated than that. Insomnia is a complex problem that affects the nervous system and which can also be closely related to breathing problems or other chemical disorders. The problem of 'not being able to sleep' is really only one small symptom amongst many others. All the symptoms need to be examined if you want to avoid what could be a very serious disorder and one that can progress and even become fatal if you are not careful.

Once you detect the early signs of insomnia like 'not being able to sleep', you need to look further and take extra precautionary measures to avoid the worsening of the problem. You can completely complicate your system by neglecting it and, although insomnia may start with very simple symptoms, it may progress into a deadly situation very quickly.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, however. There are still some very simple and minor symptoms of insomnia which can definitely be treated fast without taking any drug medications. Oftentimes we find there is nothing to worry about. Still, this is something that must be determined according to the other possible symptoms that would indicate a more serious problem.

Here's how to determine if your problem with 'not being able to sleep' is actually more serious than you thought. Have somebody watch you at night when you are sleeping. Have them examine your breathing patterns and look to see if you seem to be struggling at night to get a good, full breath. Are you snoring at night or having any strange sounds coming from your nose? This could indicate a problem with your breathing which is the cause of a more serious disorder known as sleep apnea. Similarly, are you having a prolonged period of days or even weeks where you generally seem sluggish and in a bad mood? Are you without energy almost all the time? Prolonged periods that stretch beyond two or three weeks can also indicate a more serious disorder that should be examined by a professional.

Some sleep problems are just due to certain changes in the body, including hormonal changes that affect the pattern of an individuals sleep. Oftentimes medications can complicate these problems and compromise the sleep activity of a person. The daily routine and the food that a person eats are also things that can contribute to more mild cases of insomnia but these conditions should also be watched because, in combination with a personal tragedy or other psychological problem, they can lead to more serious cases of stress or depression that bring about a more serious case of insomnia.

Once the simpler symptoms begin to occur on a regular basis or begin to build up and overtake the person, it is time to see a doctor. These symptoms may build up so that you experience total difficulty in falling asleep almost everyday and early morning awakenings with a constant desire to sleep during the day. It may also take you a couple of hours to get back to sleep and you may be feeling a bit irritated and full of anxiety most of the time. These compounding symptoms deserve a little bit of extra attention and may indicate a more serious case of insomnia.

Although it is very normal for individuals to have any one or two of these symptoms, experiencing all of them constantly may indicate a more serious disorder. The disorder can be fatal because it can lead to accidents in traffic or just around the house, such as in the case of household appliances that are left 'on' and wouldn't normally be neglected if a person were fully alert and aware of their surroundings.

When you are experiencing even some little signs, take some quality time to think whether you are having a normal case of sleeplessness or not. You might be suffering from insomnia and need to go discuss it with your doctor. It's better to be safe than sorry and then you can rest assured that everything is going to be just fine.