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Understanding and Managing Insomnia: Front Shop Module 3, 2017
Insomnia is the complaint of an inability to obtain enough sleep. People with insomnia may have a difficulty in falling asleep, a difficulty in staying asleep or may wake up too early in the morning and not be able to fall asleep again. In general, people with insomnia sleep less or sleep poorly despite having an adequate chance to sleep. The poor sleep may lead to trouble functioning in the daytime. Symptoms reported by people with insomnia include daytime sleepiness, fatigue, inability to concentrate properly and mood changes.
Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint. While everyone may have an occasional night of poor sleep, about 7 to 10% of adults have long-term or ‘chronic’ insomnia.
Pharmacy staff are often asked by insomnia sufferers for over-the-counter medicines for insomnia. This Module discusses insomnia and its management in the community pharmacy and begins with a short discussion on ‘normal’ sleep.
