Insomnia is inability to remain asleep for a reasonable period. An individual can be clasified as a patient of insomnia if he complains that he is unable to close eyes or rest mind for more than a few minutes at a time. Insomnia is of two types - organic and non-organic. Insomnai is a sleep disorder.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. Insomnia tends to increase with age and affects about 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men. The average American gets 7 hours of sleep,instead of the 8 to 10 hours recommended by doctors.

Insomnia and Sleep Apnea

When the normal sleep cycle is interrupted by an inerruption in breahing, the conition is termed as Sleep apnea. If this condition reaches anobstructive form, some part of the sleeper's respiratory tract loses muscle tone and partially collapses. People with obstructive sleep apnea often complain of excessive sleepiness during the day. Central sleep apnea interrupts the normal breathing stimulus of the central nervous system, and the individual must actually wake up to resume breathing. This form of apnea is often related to a cerebral vascular condition, congestive heart failure, and premature aging.

Insomnia and Depresion

Major depression or excessive release of cortisol leads to alterations in the function of the hypothalamus and pituitary which can lead to poor sleep quality.
Urination produces strong signals to the brain to wake up. It is caused by Nocturnal polyuria and can be very disturbing to sleep.
Nocturnal polyuria can be caused by kidney disease or it may be due to prostate enlargement or hormonal influences.Deficiencies in vasopressin, which is either caused by a pituitary problem or by insensitivity of the kidney to the effects of vasopressin, can lead to nocturnal polyuria.

Insomnia Treatment

Sedatives such as benzodiazepines and newer non-benzodiazepine drugs can also cause physical dependence and psychological dependence where the individual can't psychologically accept that they can sleep without drugs.But such drugs can result in withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not carefully titrated down.
However these medicines can be addictive,if taken over long periods of time.Recent research has shown that cognitive behavior therapy can be more effective than medication in controlling insomnia. In this therapy, patients are taught improved sleep habits and relieved of counter-productive assumptions about sleep.
Non-benzodiazepine prescriptions score over older benzodiazepines in that they have a cleaner side effect profile. But both these drugs appear to cause both psychological dependence and physical dependence, and can also cause memory and cognitive disturbances.

Melatonin agonists, including Ramelteon (Rozerem), seem to lack the potential for abuse and dependence. This class of drugs has a relatively mild side effect profile and lower likelihood of causing morning sedation.
The antihistamine drug diphenhydramine which is an OTC (available over the counter) medicine, is widely used in nonprescription sleep aids. It is allowed by FDA in USA and authorities in United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand,South Africa and many other countries in prescribed dosages.
Atypical antipsychotics like quetiapine are also prescribed for their sedative effect but they pose a danger of neurological and cognitive side effects.
Some herbs like valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops,passion-flower, pomegranates are also believed to help in the treatment of insomnia.
And then there are traditional insomnia remedies like
drinking warm milk before bedtime
taking a warm bath in the evening
exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon
eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed
avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours
making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour
aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils
As of this writing, professor Jedediah Fajman at the University of Illinois was known to study the theory of playing slow paced music to help treat insomnia. The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting a good night's sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been shown to help people sleep.
Such techniques can lower stress levels from both the mind and body, which leads to a deeper, more restful sleep.

About the author
JasperKnowApp does research on sleeping disorders. He has been reviewing Insomnia Remedies.