We all have occasional nights when we can’t sleep, but long-term or chronic insomnia is much more serious. Untreated, it can increase your risk for diabetes, hypertension, depression, heart failure, and possibly even death in older adults. Chronic insomnia affects your memory, your ability to concentrate, and your safety on the road. So how do you know when it’s time to see a doctor for your insomnia? The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler’s Dr. Jim Stocks answers questions about chronic insomnia in this post to HealthConnection.TV.

What is chronic insomnia? (first question)

What is the impact of not treating chronic insomnia? (skip to 1:08)

Given how serious chronic insomnia can be, why is it so often undiagnosed and untreated? (skip to 1:40)

What is the impact on one’s health for not treating long-term insomnia? (skip to 2:38)

What is the impact of chronic insomnia on work, health care costs, driving safety, etc.? (skip to 3:34)

Is chronic insomnia difficult to treat? (skip to 5:27)

Which prescription medications work best in treating chronic insomnia? (skip to 8:09)

What are your thoughts on the prescription medication Ambien? (skip to 9:02)

Are there any concerns as to the long-term use of prescription sleep medications? (skip to 10:15)

What about over-the-counter sleep aids such as antihistamines, Sominex, Tylenol PM, melatonin and chamomile tea? (skip to 11:08)

At what point should one see a doctor about chronic insomnia? (skip to 12:15)

When should one seek out a sleep specialist? (skip to 13:12)

No matter where you turn, you’ll see and hear advertisements for products to help you with your sleep…from mattresses to medications. The fact is, the majority of us are sleep deprived. And that lack of sufficient sleep can have big health consequences. In this post to HealthConnection.TV, the U.T. Health Science Center’s Dr. James Stocks talks about recognizing and treating sleep deprivation.

How much sleep does the average person get and is it enough? (first question)

Why has sleep deprivation become epidemic? (skip to 0:52)

What health problems can arise from poor sleep? (skip to 1:41)

How are we affected at work by insufficient sleep? (skip to 2:54)

How much sleep do we need need to stay healthy? (skip to 3:44)

Are the effects of sleep deprivation cumulative? (skip to 4:22)

What is the connection between chronic insufficient sleep and weight gain? (skip to 5:02)

What are the most common myths about sleep? (skip to 5:28)

You see prescription sleep medications such as Ambien advertised. Are such drugs the answer? (skip to 6:23)

Some people have trouble getting to sleep. Some have trouble staying asleep. What is going on and what can be done? (skip to 7:25)

Not getting enough sleep is a bad habit. How does one break it? (skip to 10:48)