I believe many people have experienced the pain of insomnia, lying in bed with “glare eyes” and tossing and turning.
What exactly is insomnia? Learn the 7 major causes of insomnia and sleep hygiene now to improve the pain of insomnia!
A study last year by the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Hong Kong found that nearly one in four young people has insomnia. Occasionally insomnia may lead to poor energy and fatigue the next day, and you only need to catch up on sleep at night. However, if the insomnia problem persists, it will not only affect concentration and work efficiency but over time will increase the chance of developing high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes, etc. It can induce mental problems such as depression and anxiety, and some people may even turn to alcohol or drugs to help them sleep, which may lead to alcohol dependence or drug abuse in the long run.
Common causes of stress
There are many causes of insomnia, most commonly due to stress, but also due to bad habits and some physiological problems that affect sleep quality. If the insomnia problem persists and causes trouble, you must seek medical advice and get the right medication.
Dr. Wang Ze Tang, a specialist in family medicine at Sanatorium & Hospital, said that according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), insomnia patients must be dissatisfied with the “quality” and “quantity” of their sleep time, including one difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, waking up too early, difficulty falling back asleep after waking up, etc. occur at least 3 nights a week, and the problem lasts for at least 3 months. People who suffer from insomnia still have difficulty falling asleep even if they have the opportunity to sleep.
He pointed out that there are many causes of insomnia, most commonly due to stress, but also due to bad habits and some physiological problems that affect sleep quality. Here are the top 7 causes of insomnia:
1. Stress: The body’s autonomic nervous system will be over-excited due to pressure from school, work, family, etc., causing heart palpitations and muscle tension. Especially for those who need to work at night or work shifts, or airline crews who often travel through multiple time zones, their biological clocks are easily disturbed, increasing the risk of insomnia.
2. Bad habits: Some bad habits, such as eating too much in the evening, may cause acid reflux; drinking too much water may cause nocturia; smoking, drinking coffee, strong tea, and alcohol in the evening or at night can also stimulate the brain. Other bad habits, such as lying in bed watching TV, mobile phones and tablets, or uncomfortable temperatures and lighting in the bedroom, will affect our physical and mental state, making it difficult to fall asleep.
3. Physical illness: In addition to external factors, some physiological problems can also cause insomnia. He explained that it seems that prostatic hyperplasia, overactive bladder, and diabetes can cause frequent urination, making patients frequent the toilet at night; hyperthyroidism can make it difficult for patients to calm down mentally and physically; patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure are also prone to difficulty breathing. And insomnia.
4. Mental illness: Insomnia can be one of the symptoms of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
5. Drugs: Certain types of drugs can cause insomnia, such as antidepressants SSRIs, bronchodilators for asthma, and certain high blood pressure drugs. Other over-the-counter medicines that contain pseudoephedrine (such as nasal congestion relievers) can also cause insomnia.
6. Sleep-related diseases: Sleep apnea, cyclic leg twitching syndrome, and restless legs syndrome can all affect sleep quality.
7. Primary insomnia: If the clinical evaluation completely excludes all the above causes of insomnia, the patient has primary insomnia.
Sleep Test Assessment Reasons
He pointed out that if a patient seeks medical treatment for insomnia, the doctor will first understand his sleep pattern through questioning, arrange appropriate physical examinations and tests, and even conduct a sleep test, during which the patient’s brain waves, breathing, heartbeat, and eye movements will be monitored. and body movement data to find out whether there are other hidden diseases causing insomnia.
First-line treatment options to help patients adjust their lifestyle and sleep
If the source of insomnia can be identified, “appropriate medicine” must be prescribed. Doctors will also explain good sleep habits to the patient and help adjust life and sleep as the first-line treatment plan. Other treatment methods include psychological and drug treatment.
1. Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the psychological treatments for insomnia. It is as effective as sleeping pills and is much safer. Treatment will teach patients to identify the causes of insomnia and correct incorrect sleep concepts, such as being unable to fall asleep without drugs and alcohol.
2. Over-the-counter drugs: These drugs can be purchased directly from pharmacies or supermarkets without a doctor’s prescription. For example, the first-generation antihistamine drugs used as cold and cold medicines will cause drowsiness after taking them, but patients with glaucoma and prostatic hyperplasia should not take them. Use; As for melatonin, it may be helpful for people who need to work shifts or often travel through different time zones, but the effect in treating insomnia may not be significant.
3. Prescription drugs: If the above methods have no obvious effect, or before cognitive behavioral therapy takes effect, the doctor may prescribe sleeping pills for short-term treatment to speed up falling asleep and increase sleep time. Commonly used sleeping pills include benzodiazepines, such as Lorazepam and Diazepam. Taking them can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, prolong sleep time, and reduce drowsiness after waking up.
“This type of drug is more suitable for short-term treatment. If used continuously for several weeks, dependence may occur, affecting memory, causing hallucinations, suppressing breathing, and increasing the risk of falls in the elderly.
Another type of non-benzodiazepines (Non-Benzodiazepines), also known as ‘Z drugs’, commonly used include Zopiclone and Zolpidem. Their chemical structure is completely different from benzodiazepines, but The efficacy, adverse reactions, and risks are similar. “
Do not take over-the-counter medicines on your own
Proper treatment of insomnia is very important to promote physical and mental health and improve the quality of life. He reminded that if you continue to suffer from insomnia, you must consult a doctor and should not take health products or patent medicines from unknown sources on your own, let alone increase the dosage of prescription drugs on your own.
