A practical guide to insomnia

Insomnia means repeated difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling restored, with an effect on the day. One bad night after a deadline is not a diagnosis. A pattern that lasts most nights for several weeks deserves attention.

Two broad patterns

Some people sleep poorly without another illness driving it. Others sleep poorly because of pain, breathing problems at night, low mood, anxiety, caffeine, alcohol, shift work, or a medicine. Treating the driver matters more than chasing a stronger sedative.

What tends to help

A fixed wake time, including weekends, anchors the body clock. Daylight soon after waking and a wind-down that does not include bright screens make the night easier. CBT-I teaches these skills with a therapist or a structured NHS programme. It is slower than a tablet and usually lasts longer.

About sleeping medicines

In the UK, hypnotics and many anxiety medicines are prescription-only. Clinicians usually consider them for a short course, if at all, because tolerance, next-day drowsiness, and dependence are real risks. Mixing them with alcohol can slow breathing. Noor Pharmacy will only dispense them against a valid prescription and will counsel you on the label your prescriber intended.

If you feel unsafe, confused after a medicine, or cannot be woken, call 999. For urgent but non-life-threatening advice, use NHS 111.