The most prevalent kind of sleep problem is called insomnia in science. A person should get 7-8 hours of sleep per day, with the majority of that time spent asleep at night and the remainder of the day spent awake. The organization of life surrounding a person requires that hours of vitality fall around commercial activities. If a person doesn't get enough sleep at night, his performance starts to decline throughout the day. This is especially noticeable for intellectual workers. There is also a decrease in concentration, which raises the possibility of accidents and injury. Because it negatively affects the body's responses, chronic sleeplessness is the most serious kind of illness. A few of the potential side effects of insomnia include irritability, anxiety, malaise, weakened immunity, and memory impairment.
This disorder typically manifests itself in a lack of sleep at night. Those who frequently wake up during the night may struggle with sleep deprivation and experience morning insomnia. This includes difficulty in initially falling asleep; a normal sleep onset period is up to 15 minutes, but sleep disorders can extend this time to hours. In adults, very early waking up is another type of insomnia. Additionally, sleep disturbances can involve post-traumatic symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and lethargy even after a full night's sleep.
Symptoms and signs
The main feature of the disease is the absence of the restorative stage of sleep. Different symptoms might indicate sleep disorders:
- having trouble falling asleep, constantly adjusting the blanket, searching for a comfortable position, etc.;
- waking up throughout the night and not getting enough sleep afterward;
- drowsiness during the day, irritability, and anxiety;
- Waking up more than 30 minutes sooner than anticipated and finding it difficult to go back to sleep; nevertheless, the most crucial need is that the total amount of sleep should not exceed 6.5 hours by the time of awakening.
The treatment for insomnia in adults can help improve the quality of life by addressing these symptoms and underlying causes
THE CAUSES OF INSOMNIA
Insomnia can be caused by internal diseases, psychiatric disorders (depression), or the use/abuse of substances or medications; in all other cases in which one of these conditions is not identifiable, we speak of primary insomnia.
There are psychosocial factors such as work stress, night shifts, and difficult family conditions (divorce, problems with children, etc.) that can predispose to the onset of insomnia.
The presence of a genetic predisposition responsible for the altered regulation of the sleep-wake rhythm has also been confirmed.
The most common risk groups:
- age 60+;
- excessive emotionality;
- change of time zones;
- night shift work;
- mental health disorders.
Complications
Complications of insomnia:
- increased risk of developing chronic diseases;
- disruption of the immune system;
- obesity;
- slowness of reactions;
- decreased labor productivity;
- mental disorders.
When to see a doctor
What to do about treatment for insomnia in adults? People ask this question very often. Going to the doctor is the simplest and most correct answer. Consultation can be obtained from a therapist, neurologist, or special sleep specialist. They will study the cause of your problem, prescribe tests if necessary, and, based on the data obtained, solve it using effective and safe methods.
Diagnostics
Insomnia is diagnosed using a special scale based on 8 different parameters in one way or another related to sleep. Collection of medical history and physical examination can exclude other conditions for the development of pathology.
A sleep history, including sleeping patterns and any drugs or other substances consumed, is necessary for the diagnosis. In order to assist establish sleep habits, the patient should maintain a sleep journal. Data on the patient's bedtime and wake-up times, amount of sleep, number of awakenings, drugs taken and their effects, and other sensations both throughout the night and in the morning should all be recorded in the journal. An alternative to a diary is an outpatient actigraphy procedure - weekly monitoring using non-invasive devices that measure movement. If insomnia is symptomatic, then diagnosis is aimed at identifying the underlying disease. After all, the treatment for insomnia in adults will depend on the success of the provocateur factor.
Treatment
The first stage of treatment for insomnia in adults is lifestyle changes and sleep hygiene. Cognitive behavioral therapy fits perfectly here. What to do with symptomatic insomnia? Identify the causes and treat them first. Typically, special sleeping pills are prescribed as a short-term measure for insomnia. Insomnia tablets provide the ability to manage sleep.
Music is perceived as a treatment for insomnia in adults. Special training can be a cure for insomnia. The foundation of self-help is psychological training. How should insomnia be treated? Forced waking is one approach. This implies that one must make every effort to stay awake rather than attempting to fall asleep. As a result, brain activity is reprogrammed.
Prevention and prognosis
Measures to prevent insomnia:
- Creating sleep stability - a stable time for falling asleep and waking up;
- lack of vigorous movement and caffeine consumption a couple of hours before bedtime;
- morning work-out;
- comfort in the sleeping room - cool and dark;
- Maintaining sleep hygiene - the principles of proper and healthy sleep: a positive sleep environment, minimizing sleep during the day, regularity and effectiveness of episodes, minimizing the influence of harmful substances, reducing the influence of medications, etc.
In conclusion, an individual's everyday life and health can be greatly affected by insomnia, a common sleep problem. If insomnia continues, it's important to consult a doctor to determine the underlying reason and obtain the right care. Medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications may all aid in symptom management and relief.
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