Regular lack of sleep is a serious problem that can spoil performance, mood, and even physical health.
Regular lack of sleep is a serious problem that can spoil the performance, mood and even physical health of any person.
But what if sleep disturbances become chronic?
Marina Khamurzova, postgraduate student of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Russian State Medical University, neurologist of the City Clinical Hospital No. 12, talks about insomnia.
“Statistics show that a huge number of people suffer from sleep disorders, ” says Khamurzova. “For example, every third American has a sleep disorder , one in four Englishmen, and in France, one in five has a sleep disorder .”
What is insomnia?
The most common sleep disorder is sleep disturbance caused by difficulty maintaining sleep. It is divided into three stages:
– sleep disturbance (occurs most often) – difficulty maintaining sleep – early awakening
Insomnia is acute when a person suddenly loses sleep for a couple of nights. But if it lasts more than three days , we are already talking about chronic insomnia . Without timely treatment, it can last for months.
In addition, there are two types of insomnia : primary and secondary.
Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder that occurs due to psychological problems and lasts a month or longer. Prolonged stress or severe emotional distress is commonly thought to be the main cause of primary insomnia.
Secondary insomnia is the most common type. This is a type of insomnia that occurs as a result or side effect of a disease. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 people suffer from secondary insomnia at least occasionally .
Causes of Secondary Insomnia
– Certain diseases of the brain (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), lungs, heart, endocrine glands, and other internal organs that can interfere with sleep – Pain, stress or depression – Medications that interfere with sleep. – The use of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and other substances that interfere with the normal course of the sleep process – The influence of irritating factors, for example, the environment in which it is impossible to fall asleep, or sudden changes in sleep patterns (when changing time zones, night shifts, etc.) )
Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder that occurs due to psychological problems and lasts a month or longer. Prolonged stress or severe emotional distress is commonly thought to be the main cause of primary insomnia.
How is insomnia treated?
Many people try to get rid of chronic insomnia on their own, and sometimes with the help of sleeping pills. But such self-treatment without consulting a doctor can cause the development of chronic sleep disorders or serious somatic diseases.
“ The most important thing in treating insomnia is to pinpoint the true causes of sleep disorders, ” explains Khamurzova. “If sleep disturbances are associated with unpleasant experiences, fatigue, breakdown of the sleeping habits, he will recover after eliminating these causes.”
Only a neuropathologist can correctly establish the cause-and-effect relationship and prescribe the correct treatment.
How can you prevent insomnia?
Always go to bed at the same time, preferably no later than 22.00. If a person is awake for a long time at night, the production of the hormone melatonin , which regulates the circadian rhythm, is disrupted in his body .
Try to get physical activity every day , but finish classes no later than 3-4 hours before bedtime in order to have time to relax and calm the cardiovascular system. And healthy fatigue will allow you to fall asleep faster and more soundly and not be tempted to watch “another episode” of your favorite TV series until midnight.
Don’t drink caffeinated drinks at least 5 hours before bed. The excitement of the nervous system caused by this substance should pass by the time you fall asleep.
If you sleep during the day, sleep should not exceed 60 minutes so that you do not feel too alert and refreshed by the time it is time to go to bed.
The most important
If sleep does not recover within three days, see your doctor. Only with the help of specialists can you choose the best methods for treating sleep disorders, because first you need to determine what exactly caused insomnia. Self-medication for chronic insomnia is very dangerous, but you can avoid it if you move a lot and go to bed on time.