🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 75 (from laksa024)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa075.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/insomnia\/","crawl_time":1775853013,"first_indexed_time":1509845822,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"uk,nhs,www!\/conditions\/insomnia\/ s443","src_root_hash":"11359509702434384875","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Insomnia - NHS","meta_descriptions":["Find out about insomnia, including why it might happen and how to treat it."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Symptoms of insomnia\nYou have insomnia if you regularly:\nfind it hard to go to sleep\nwake up several times during the night\nlie awake at night\nwake up early and cannot go back to sleep\nstill feel tired after waking up\nfind it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired\nfeel tired and irritable during the day\nfind it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired\nIf you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia.\nHow much sleep you need\nEveryone needs different amounts of sleep.\nOn average:\nadults need 7 to 9 hours\nchildren need 9 to 13 hours\ntoddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours\nYou probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day.\nWhat causes insomnia\nThe most common causes of insomnia are:\nstress, anxiety or depression\nnoise\na room that's too hot or cold\nuncomfortable beds\nalcohol, caffeine or nicotine\nillegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy\njet lag\nshift work\nConditions and other things that can cause insomnia\nConditions and medicines that can cause insomnia:\nmental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder\nAlzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease\nrestless legs syndrome\noveractive thyroid\nmenopause\nMany medicines can also cause insomnia.\nThings that keep you from getting a good night's sleep:\nlong-term pain\nsleepwalking\nsnoring or interrupted breathing while sleeping (\nsleep apnoea\n)\nsuddenly falling asleep anywhere (\nnarcolepsy\n)\nnightmares or night terrors\n(particularly in children)\nHow you can treat insomnia yourself\nInsomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.\nDo\nonly go to bed when you're sleepy\nwake up and get out of bed at the same time every day\nrelax at least 1 hour before bed – for example, take a bath or read a book\nmake sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed\nexercise regularly during the day\nmake sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable\nDon’t\ndo not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed\ndo not eat a big meal late at night\ndo not exercise at least 4 hours before bed\ndo not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake\ndo not nap during the day\ndo not drive when you feel sleepy\ndo not sleep in after a bad night's sleep – stick to your regular sleeping hours instead\nHow a pharmacist can help with insomnia\nYou can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better.\nSome contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an\nantihistamine\n.\nThey cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer.\nSome of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive.\nCheck with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems.\nNon-urgent advice:\nSee a GP if:\nchanging your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia\nyou've had trouble sleeping for months\nyour insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope\nTreatment from a GP for insomnia\nA GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment.\nSometimes you'll be offered\ncognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)\n. This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme.\nThis can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping.\nYou may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea.\nGPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them.\nSleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if:\nyour insomnia is very bad\nother treatments have not worked\nPage last reviewed: 19 March 2024\nNext review due: 19 March 2027","attrs_markdown":"\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/insomnia\/#maincontent)\n\n- [Health A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/health-a-to-z\/)\n- [NHS services](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/)\n- [Healthy living](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/)\n- [Mental health](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/)\n- [Care and support](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/social-care-and-support\/)\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/)\n- Browse More\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/)\n2. [Health A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/health-a-to-z\/)\n3. [Conditions A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/)\n\n[Back to Conditions A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/)\n\n# Insomnia\nInsomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.\n\n## Symptoms of insomnia\nYou have insomnia if you regularly:\n\n- find it hard to go to sleep\n- wake up several times during the night\n- lie awake at night\n- wake up early and cannot go back to sleep\n- still feel tired after waking up\n- find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired\n- feel tired and irritable during the day\n- find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired\n\nIf you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia.\n\n## How much sleep you need\nEveryone needs different amounts of sleep.\n\nOn average:\n\n- adults need 7 to 9 hours\n- children need 9 to 13 hours\n- toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours\n\nYou probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day.\n\n## What causes insomnia\nThe most common causes of insomnia are:\n\n- stress, anxiety or depression\n- noise\n- a room that's too hot or cold\n- uncomfortable beds\n- alcohol, caffeine or nicotine\n- illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy\n- jet lag\n- shift work\n\nConditions and other things that can cause insomnia\n\n### Conditions and medicines that can cause insomnia:\n- mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder\n- Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease\n- [restless legs syndrome](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/restless-legs-syndrome\/)\n- [overactive thyroid](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism\/)\n- [menopause](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/menopause\/)\n\nMany medicines can also cause insomnia.\n\n### Things that keep you from getting a good night's sleep:\n- long-term pain\n- sleepwalking\n- snoring or interrupted breathing while sleeping ([sleep apnoea](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/sleep-apnoea\/))\n- suddenly falling asleep anywhere ([narcolepsy](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/narcolepsy\/))\n- [nightmares or night terrors](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/night-terrors\/) (particularly in children)\n\n## How you can treat insomnia yourself\nInsomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.\n\n### Do\n- only go to bed when you're sleepy\n- wake up and get out of bed at the same time every day\n- relax at least 1 hour before bed – for example, take a bath or read a book\n- make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed\n- exercise regularly during the day\n- make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable\n\n### Don’t\n- do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed\n- do not eat a big meal late at night\n- do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed\n- do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake\n- do not nap during the day\n- do not drive when you feel sleepy\n- do not sleep in after a bad night's sleep – stick to your regular sleeping hours instead\n\n### How a pharmacist can help with insomnia\nYou can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better.\n\nSome contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an [antihistamine](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/antihistamines\/).\n\nThey cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer.\n\nSome of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive.\n\nCheck with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems.\n\n## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:\n- changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia\n- you've had trouble sleeping for months\n- your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope\n\n## Treatment from a GP for insomnia\nA GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment.\n\nSometimes you'll be offered [cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/tests-and-treatments\/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt\/). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme.\n\nThis can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping.\n\nYou may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea.\n\nGPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them.\n\nSleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if:\n\n- your insomnia is very bad\n- other treatments have not worked\n\nPage last reviewed: 19 March 2024  \n Next review due: 19 March 2027\n\n## Support links\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/)\n- [Health A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/health-a-to-z\/)\n- [NHS services](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/)\n- [Healthy living](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/)\n- [Mental health](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/)\n- [Care and support](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/social-care-and-support\/)\n- [COVID-19](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/covid-19\/)\n\n- [NHS App](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-app\/)\n- [Find my NHS number](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/online-services\/find-nhs-number\/)\n- [View your GP health record](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/gps\/view-your-gp-health-record\/)\n- [View your test results](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/online-services\/view-your-test-results\/)\n- [About the NHS](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/using-the-nhs\/about-the-nhs\/)\n- [Healthcare abroad](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/using-the-nhs\/healthcare-abroad\/)\n\n- [Other NHS websites](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-sites\/)\n- [Profile editor login](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/our-policies\/profile-editor-login\/)\n\n- [About us](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/about-us\/)\n- [Report an issue with the NHS website](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/report-an-issue-with-the-nhs-website)\n- [Accessibility statement](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/accessibility-statement\/)\n- [Our policies](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/our-policies\/)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/our-policies\/choose-your-cookie-settings\/)\n\n© Crown copyright","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Symptoms of insomnia\nYou have insomnia if you regularly:\n\n- find it hard to go to sleep\n- wake up several times during the night\n- lie awake at night\n- wake up early and cannot go back to sleep\n- still feel tired after waking up\n- find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired\n- feel tired and irritable during the day\n- find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired\n\nIf you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia.\n\n## How much sleep you need\nEveryone needs different amounts of sleep.\n\nOn average:\n\n- adults need 7 to 9 hours\n- children need 9 to 13 hours\n- toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours\n\nYou probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day.\n\n## What causes insomnia\nThe most common causes of insomnia are:\n\n- stress, anxiety or depression\n- noise\n- a room that's too hot or cold\n- uncomfortable beds\n- alcohol, caffeine or nicotine\n- illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy\n- jet lag\n- shift work\n\nConditions and other things that can cause insomnia\n\n### Conditions and medicines that can cause insomnia:\n- mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder\n- Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease\n- [restless legs syndrome](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/restless-legs-syndrome\/)\n- [overactive thyroid](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism\/)\n- [menopause](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/menopause\/)\n\nMany medicines can also cause insomnia.\n\n### Things that keep you from getting a good night's sleep:\n- long-term pain\n- sleepwalking\n- snoring or interrupted breathing while sleeping ([sleep apnoea](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/sleep-apnoea\/))\n- suddenly falling asleep anywhere ([narcolepsy](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/narcolepsy\/))\n- [nightmares or night terrors](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/night-terrors\/) (particularly in children)\n\n## How you can treat insomnia yourself\nInsomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.\n\n### Do\n- only go to bed when you're sleepy\n- wake up and get out of bed at the same time every day\n- relax at least 1 hour before bed – for example, take a bath or read a book\n- make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed\n- exercise regularly during the day\n- make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable\n\n### Don’t\n- do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed\n- do not eat a big meal late at night\n- do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed\n- do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake\n- do not nap during the day\n- do not drive when you feel sleepy\n- do not sleep in after a bad night's sleep – stick to your regular sleeping hours instead\n\n### How a pharmacist can help with insomnia\nYou can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better.\n\nSome contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an [antihistamine](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/antihistamines\/).\n\nThey cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer.\n\nSome of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive.\n\nCheck with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems.\n\n## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:\n- changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia\n- you've had trouble sleeping for months\n- your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope\n\n## Treatment from a GP for insomnia\nA GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment.\n\nSometimes you'll be offered [cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/tests-and-treatments\/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt\/). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme.\n\nThis can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping.\n\nYou may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea.\n\nGPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them.\n\nSleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if:\n\n- your insomnia is very bad\n- other treatments have not worked\n\nPage last reviewed: 19 March 2024  \n Next review due: 19 March 2027","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

13 hours ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/
Last Crawled	2026-04-10 20:30:13 (13 hours ago)
First Indexed	2017-11-05 01:37:02 (8 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Insomnia - NHS
Meta Description	Find out about insomnia, including why it might happen and how to treat it.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Symptoms of insomnia You have insomnia if you regularly: find it hard to go to sleep wake up several times during the night lie awake at night wake up early and cannot go back to sleep still feel tired after waking up find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired feel tired and irritable during the day find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired If you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia. How much sleep you need Everyone needs different amounts of sleep. On average: adults need 7 to 9 hours children need 9 to 13 hours toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours You probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day. What causes insomnia The most common causes of insomnia are: stress, anxiety or depression noise a room that's too hot or cold uncomfortable beds alcohol, caffeine or nicotine illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy jet lag shift work Conditions and other things that can cause insomnia Conditions and medicines that can cause insomnia: mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease restless legs syndrome overactive thyroid menopause Many medicines can also cause insomnia. Things that keep you from getting a good night's sleep: long-term pain sleepwalking snoring or interrupted breathing while sleeping ( sleep apnoea ) suddenly falling asleep anywhere ( narcolepsy ) nightmares or night terrors (particularly in children) How you can treat insomnia yourself Insomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits. Do only go to bed when you're sleepy wake up and get out of bed at the same time every day relax at least 1 hour before bed – for example, take a bath or read a book make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed exercise regularly during the day make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable Don’t do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed do not eat a big meal late at night do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake do not nap during the day do not drive when you feel sleepy do not sleep in after a bad night's sleep – stick to your regular sleeping hours instead How a pharmacist can help with insomnia You can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better. Some contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an antihistamine . They cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer. Some of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive. Check with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia you've had trouble sleeping for months your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope Treatment from a GP for insomnia A GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment. Sometimes you'll be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) . This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme. This can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping. You may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea. GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if: your insomnia is very bad other treatments have not worked Page last reviewed: 19 March 2024 Next review due: 19 March 2027
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/#maincontent) - [Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/) - [NHS services](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/) - [Healthy living](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/) - [Care and support](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/) - [Home](https://www.nhs.uk/) - Browse More 1. [Home](https://www.nhs.uk/) 2. [Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/) 3. [Conditions A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/) [Back to Conditions A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/) # Insomnia Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits. ## Symptoms of insomnia You have insomnia if you regularly: - find it hard to go to sleep - wake up several times during the night - lie awake at night - wake up early and cannot go back to sleep - still feel tired after waking up - find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired - feel tired and irritable during the day - find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired If you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia. ## How much sleep you need Everyone needs different amounts of sleep. On average: - adults need 7 to 9 hours - children need 9 to 13 hours - toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours You probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day. ## What causes insomnia The most common causes of insomnia are: - stress, anxiety or depression - noise - a room that's too hot or cold - uncomfortable beds - alcohol, caffeine or nicotine - illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy - jet lag - shift work Conditions and other things that can cause insomnia ### Conditions and medicines that can cause insomnia: - mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease - [restless legs syndrome](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/) - [overactive thyroid](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/) - [menopause](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/) Many medicines can also cause insomnia. ### Things that keep you from getting a good night's sleep: - long-term pain - sleepwalking - snoring or interrupted breathing while sleeping ([sleep apnoea](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/)) - suddenly falling asleep anywhere ([narcolepsy](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/narcolepsy/)) - [nightmares or night terrors](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-terrors/) (particularly in children) ## How you can treat insomnia yourself Insomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits. ### Do - only go to bed when you're sleepy - wake up and get out of bed at the same time every day - relax at least 1 hour before bed – for example, take a bath or read a book - make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed - exercise regularly during the day - make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable ### Don’t - do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed - do not eat a big meal late at night - do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed - do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake - do not nap during the day - do not drive when you feel sleepy - do not sleep in after a bad night's sleep – stick to your regular sleeping hours instead ### How a pharmacist can help with insomnia You can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better. Some contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an [antihistamine](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antihistamines/). They cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer. Some of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive. Check with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems. ## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: - changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia - you've had trouble sleeping for months - your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope ## Treatment from a GP for insomnia A GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment. Sometimes you'll be offered [cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme. This can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping. You may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea. GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if: - your insomnia is very bad - other treatments have not worked Page last reviewed: 19 March 2024 Next review due: 19 March 2027 ## Support links - [Home](https://www.nhs.uk/) - [Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/) - [NHS services](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/) - [Healthy living](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/) - [Care and support](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/) - [COVID-19](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/) - [NHS App](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/) - [Find my NHS number](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/) - [View your GP health record](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/view-your-gp-health-record/) - [View your test results](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/view-your-test-results/) - [About the NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/) - [Healthcare abroad](https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/) - [Other NHS websites](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-sites/) - [Profile editor login](https://www.nhs.uk/our-policies/profile-editor-login/) - [About us](https://www.nhs.uk/about-us/) - [Report an issue with the NHS website](https://www.nhs.uk/report-an-issue-with-the-nhs-website) - [Accessibility statement](https://www.nhs.uk/accessibility-statement/) - [Our policies](https://www.nhs.uk/our-policies/) - [Cookies](https://www.nhs.uk/our-policies/choose-your-cookie-settings/) © Crown copyright
Readable Markdown	## Symptoms of insomnia You have insomnia if you regularly: - find it hard to go to sleep - wake up several times during the night - lie awake at night - wake up early and cannot go back to sleep - still feel tired after waking up - find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired - feel tired and irritable during the day - find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired If you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia. ## How much sleep you need Everyone needs different amounts of sleep. On average: - adults need 7 to 9 hours - children need 9 to 13 hours - toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours You probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day. ## What causes insomnia The most common causes of insomnia are: - stress, anxiety or depression - noise - a room that's too hot or cold - uncomfortable beds - alcohol, caffeine or nicotine - illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy - jet lag - shift work Conditions and other things that can cause insomnia ### Conditions and medicines that can cause insomnia: - mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease - [restless legs syndrome](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/) - [overactive thyroid](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/) - [menopause](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/) Many medicines can also cause insomnia. ### Things that keep you from getting a good night's sleep: - long-term pain - sleepwalking - snoring or interrupted breathing while sleeping ([sleep apnoea](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/)) - suddenly falling asleep anywhere ([narcolepsy](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/narcolepsy/)) - [nightmares or night terrors](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-terrors/) (particularly in children) ## How you can treat insomnia yourself Insomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits. ### Do - only go to bed when you're sleepy - wake up and get out of bed at the same time every day - relax at least 1 hour before bed – for example, take a bath or read a book - make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed - exercise regularly during the day - make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable ### Don’t - do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed - do not eat a big meal late at night - do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed - do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake - do not nap during the day - do not drive when you feel sleepy - do not sleep in after a bad night's sleep – stick to your regular sleeping hours instead ### How a pharmacist can help with insomnia You can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better. Some contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an [antihistamine](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antihistamines/). They cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer. Some of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive. Check with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems. ## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: - changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia - you've had trouble sleeping for months - your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope ## Treatment from a GP for insomnia A GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment. Sometimes you'll be offered [cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme. This can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping. You may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea. GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if: - your insomnia is very bad - other treatments have not worked Page last reviewed: 19 March 2024 Next review due: 19 March 2027
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