Insomnia is defined by the books as a symptom of a "sleep disorder".  The books continue to explain that it is a "difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both", followed by periodic "functional impairments" while awake.  Well, thank goodness for books, otherwise we would think insomnia was nothing to lose sleep over.

In terms of function, the late Sir Winston Churchill was, by all accounts, one of the most energetic elders of his time.  He did not start his career as British Prime Minister until the age of 64, when most of his peers were planning their retirement canasta games.  His time in office was not exactly easy, as World War II had broken out, and all of Europe was being overrun by Hitler's army.  His own army was defeated and routed back to England at Dunkirk, rescued by a galant convoy of  private skiffs and small boats.  His level of focus and function was heroic, the envy of men half his age.  How much sleep did he get?  Not even three hours a day, including cat-naps.  If he lived today, he probably would have been slammed on Ambien (along with antidepressants, etc), and would have been suffering from too much sleep, along with the 48-hour hang-over of the sleeping pills.  And a woman of that age would surely be treated with hormones, like Premarin.  Also not very effective, and full of side effects.  The only sure way to enforce an eight hour sleep in anyone would be to administer a general anesthetic every evening...hardly good medical practice. 

As people age, they often need less sleep.  For example, teenagers often need massive amounts of sleep, due to growth and activities.  At some point in the middle of our lives, around 6-8 hours is common, but certainly not universal.  As we get past 50 or 60, it is very likely that just half that will do fine, although at any age it will be common to have an occasional morning of "sleeping in" to catch up.   By the latest statistics, over 64 million Americans suffer from insomnia regularly.  No wonder the prescription-drug cartel is raking in the money for pills.

So the real measure of sleep is the quality of its results, not just the quantity of time spent.  For some these results refer to focus and function during the waking hours.  But another measure is one's appearance; hence the term "Beauty Sleep".  Nothing tells the world you are feeling tired like "insomnia face": dark circles under the eyes, sagging cheeks, droopy lids, and mattress-print lines all over the face. 

On this latter point comes a great piece of advice from the legendary Cary Grant.  In his late seventies, he noted that the key to maintaining his looks was to sleep on his back, not on his stomach, to avoid the evidence of linen-folds on his face. 

Functional Insomnia: So if you are awake when you should be sleeping, then asleep when you should be awake, take precautions.  Try a strategy of night time "hygiene" that includes keeping all work materials away from your bedroom, trying a hot bath a half-hour before retiring, and avoiding any big protein meals or vigorous exercise just before bedtime. If you wake up in the middle of the night, get up and do some of your next day's activities, eg reading, paying bills, catching up on email etc.  Don't just stare at the clock and get annoyed at being awake.  Consider carving out extra time each day for a "cat-nap" if needed; it certainly worked for Winston. Hot herbal teas can also help, as can meditation/hypnosis, acupuncture, soothing music, aromatherapy candles etc.  Only as a last resort ask for intervention with pills, as they are usually overprescribed (and over-demanded). 

Facial Insomnia: If you alarm yourself with the first glimpse in the bathroom mirror, and if you seem to be suffering from an acute attack of face, don't dispair.  Micro-current can come to your rescue, without having to go to a spa.  Try the FaceMaster® and you will be amazed; sagging muscles will firm up, lids will stop being baggy, and even the eyes themselves will look more open and bright.  Suzanne Somers correctly notes that this is the ideal cure for those "red eye" flights before going on the air.  We have also had the same comments from patients who were up all night with a sick child before they had to attend an important office meeting. 

Action tip: Remember insomnia is not a disease, and it is not caused by the lack of a brand-name drug. 

For more information on functional insomnia, consider medical acupuncture, a great drug-free way to solve the problem.  To find a doctor in your area, visit the link on http://www.peterhansonmd.com/. 

For more information on your face, visit http://www.facemaster.com/. 

Dr. Hanson welcomes your comments and questions.