Insomnia is defined in medicine as the difficulty of falling asleep and maintaining sleep, despite the possibilities available to it. The aforementioned problem usually leads to a violation of the state of health of a person who is diagnosed with insomnia. We will discuss the causes and treatment of different types of this condition in today's article.
Types
Insomnia is usually divided into three types:
- Transitional - its symptoms last several days.
- Acute also refers to short-term manifestations, but its symptoms are more prolonged (up to several weeks).
- Chronic insomnia This type of sleep disorder can last several years.
But it should be noted that chronic is usually secondary. That is, it is a side effect of treatment or a manifestation of other diseases.
Most often, mature women are affected by such disorders. But, nevertheless, this problem can overtake at any age and noticeably interfere with work and study.
What causes insomnia? Causes
The treatment of this disorder is always based on what lies at the source of sleep disorders in a particular person. And there can be many reasons. So, in stressful situations: death of a loved one, loss of work, preparation for an exam , etc., nervous insomnia is caused. No less common impetus for sleep disorder is the use of alcohol, drugs, and even certain medications, as well as jet lag (this applies to people forced to work in different shifts), hormonal disorders and mental disorders.
How is insomnia manifested?
Symptoms of a sleep disorder are not only the inability to fall asleep or sleep soundly throughout the night. This problem manifests itself in the daytime. As a rule, these are weakness, drowsiness during the day, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, loss of attention and memory, headache, etc.
When should I see a doctor about insomnia?
If the disorder has been observed in you for a long time and the symptoms that bother you have joined it, you need to consult a specialist neurologist. By the way, if insomnia is caused by an existing disease (for example, an ailment with severe pain), the attending physician can also deal with it.
How is insomnia treated?
Reasons, treatment - these are two strongly interconnected factors of getting rid of the discussed problem. You understand that, for example, when stressful situations disappear or when the biorhythm levels off, sleep is restored.
The treatment of this ailment can be divided into non-medical (behavioral) and drug. Both approaches are needed for successful treatment. In addition to those medicines that will be prescribed by the doctor, the patient must observe several rules:
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Do not sleep during the day.
- Do not drink alcohol or caffeine drinks at bedtime .
- Do not smoke before bedtime.
- Create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom.
- Do not go to bed on an empty stomach or after a hearty dinner.
- Lie down only when you feel the urge to sleep.
- Do not watch TV at night, try to exclude thoughts in bed over plans for the next day.
And let insomnia, the reasons the treatment of which we have examined, do not bother you!