Insomnia is the failure to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia can also be described as the inability of waking up from your sleep feeling rested and refreshed. The most accepted definition of insomnia can be described as a combination of those first two explanations.

Regardless of which definition fits you the best, millions of people agonize from it. Many are desperate for an insomnia cure. You can be affected for just a few nights or suffer for years. Long-term insomnia is not the norm though. Rather, many people might suffer insomnia intermittently, depending on the stress in their lives or a specific health state.

If you are not waking up feeling rested or you have difficulty falling asleep, you just might have insomnia. But do you have any idea of other symptoms that could point to insomnia? Here is a short list:

* Feeling touchy or being in a bad mood

* Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep

* Waking multiple times at night or waking up too early

* Concentration difficulties or daytime grogginess

Without paying heed to your insomnia and seeking out insomnia cure, you could end up a variety of health and life issues. You could be more predisposed to illnesses or take longer to get over an illness. Depression can develop in individuals who do not get adequate rest from their sleep. You have to pore over your life and try to determine the underlying causes of your insomnia, before looking for any insomnia cure.

For many people with occasional insomnia, the biggest contributor to this sleep condition is stress. Sometimes, it could be related to work or being out of work. Other times, it could be something personal like having a newborn, a death in the household or divorce.

But what if your work and personal life is going along pretty well and you still have sleep issues? A medical check by your physician is quite in order. You could have an underlying medical condition that is hindering your sleep. Allergies and asthma are two culprits as are sleep apnea and headaches. The medication you take for illnesses like diabetes or heart conditions could also be a consideration.

There are a number of techniques and ideas to help you cure your insomnia. If it is stress-related, behavior modification techniques could be helpful. These could be anything from changing your sleeping conditions to visual imagery to rigorous bed scheduling. Yoga and other exercises along with deep breathing techniques also help.

But what if it is related to health issues, specifically some medication you take? It is not usually in your best interests to change medication or stop them all together. When this is the scenario, you might find sleep medication work best to get you through the insomnia.

There are a few things you can do that might help make your situation more conducive to sleep:

* Stop drinking any liquids at least two hours before bedtime. Potty breaks are one of the problems that contribute to insomnia.

* Limit your caffeine intake as well as alcohol and smoking.

* Try not to take naps.

* Institute some form of exercise in your daily activities.

* Take the television out of the bedroom. Focus on the fact that the bedroom is only for sleeping and other extra-curricular activities.

* And speaking of those extra-curricular activities, sex is a great stress release and just might help you in the snoozing department.

If you decide to seek medical advice for insomnia cure, keep a diary or journal of your daily sleep habits for a few weeks. When you visit a doctor about your possible insomnia, the journal is very helpful in pinpointing possible triggers and can help in determining the best course of action for combating that insomnia so you can get a good night's sleep.