Insomnia isone of the most common health problems among adults

Insomnia, as a common health problem in modern society, is increasingly affecting people's quality of life.

Insomnia can cause sleep problems that interfere with daily life and can be debilitating for some people. Many factors can cause insomnia, including stress, medications, and a person's sleep habits and environment.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, even when you have ample time and a bedroom environment that is conducive to restful sleep.

An insomnia diagnosis requires that these sleep problems also lead to daytime impairments, such as sleepiness or difficulty concentrating.

Types of Insomnia
Short-term insomnia: Insomnia that occurs repeatedly within weeks or months is often caused by mental symptoms, such as emotional frustration, depression, uneasiness and anxiety.
Chronic Insomnia: Refers to frequent insomnia for more than 6 months, which is often caused by a variety of factors, including long-term use of sleeping pills in a somatic anxiety state. The symptoms of chronic insomnia patients may persist and have a significant impact on their daily life.
Moderate Insomnia: The sleep time is obviously insufficient, and symptoms such as struggling to fall asleep, waking up early, and struggling to fall asleep again after waking up.
Severe Insomnia: It is more common in middle-aged and elderly people who have suffered from insomnia for more than 6 months. They have difficulty falling asleep, wake up early, wake up easily or cannot sleep all night, which seriously reduces sleep time and causes significant damage to daytime function.
Symptoms of Insomnia
  • Struggling to fall asleep at night
  • Waking up during the night
  • Waking up too early
  • Feeling tired or listless during the day
  • Feeling irritable, depressed, or anxious
  • Difficulty concentrating, staying on task, or remembering things
  • Make more mistakes or errors
  • Continuous concerns about sleep problems
Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is not uncommon in life. Under the impact of busy work, academic pressure, daily chores and various social activities, many people may face the problem of insufficient sleep. Studies have shown that about 30% of adults will experience insomnia symptoms at some time, which not only affects their mood and energy, but may also cause long-term damage to their physical health.

First, understanding the common causes of insomnia is crucial to our search for solutions.

Emotional factors, such as anxiety, depression, and stress, are important causes of insomnia.
Changes in lifestyle habitsare also an important part that cannot be ignored. For example, using electronic devices at night and consuming too much caffeine may disrupt our sleep rhythm.
Physical health problems, such as chronic pain and breathing disorders, may also affect the ability to fall and stay asleep.
Treatment and prevention of insomnia

Insomnia is treated in different ways, depending on the type, cause, and severity of the insomnia. Insomnia is not an insurmountable disorder. With professional treatment and support, most people can effectively resolve their insomnia and regain healthy sleep.

Adjust your sleeping habits

Adjusting your sleep habits is the first step to improve insomnia. It is recommended that you develop good sleep habits. You may have long-term bad habits that make it more difficult for you to get a good sleep. Good sleep habits include:

Follow a sleep schedule Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time every day, including weekends.
Keep exercising Regular physical activity helps promote good sleep at night. Make sure to schedule exercise at least a few hours before bedtime. Avoid engaging in intense activities right before sleep.
Limit or avoid the intake of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can make it harder for you to fall asleep. Their effects may last for several hours.
Do not eat or drink large amounts of fluids before bedtime Avoid eating large meals before bed and drink less water to reduce the frequency of nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Create a comfortable sleeping environment in your bedroom The bedroom should be used only for rest or sleep. Keep the room dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature.
Try to relax Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a hot bath, reading, listening to soft music, doing breathing exercises, practicing yoga, or praying.
Avoid trying too hard to fall asleep The harder you try to fall asleep, the more awake you will feel. Try reading in another room until you feel drowsy, then go to bed.
Leave the bed when you're not sleeping Make sure to get enough sleep to feel rested, then get up. Avoid staying in bed when you're not sleeping.
For individuals suffering from insomnia that lasts for weeks or months, there are several treatment options available.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Experts consider cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to be the most effective initial treatment for chronic insomnia. CBT-I helps people manage their anxiety about sleep problems and establish better sleep habits.
Prescription drugs If a person experiences significant symptoms due to insomnia, or if CBT-I does not help, medication may be recommended. Medications can help promote sleep but may also cause side effects, such as daytime drowsiness or cognitive fog.
Homeopathy Some people with insomnia may be interested in exploring other options, such as melatonin or dietary supplements, yoga, meditation, or aromatherapy.