Get to Know Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes sufferers to have difficulty sleeping, or not getting enough sleep, even though there is enough time to do it. The disorder causes the condition of the patient not to be prime for activities the next day.

The quality and quantity of sleep affects the quality of life, as well as one's overall health. Insufficient sleep will cause physical and mental disorders. In general, it takes 8 hours of sleep a day to keep the body fit.

There are two types of insomnia, primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is insomnia that is not associated with other medical conditions. While secondary insomnia is insomnia caused by other health problems, such as arthritis, asthma, depression, cancer, or gastric acid reflux (GERD). Secondary insomnia can also be caused by consumption of drugs or alcohol.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by difficulty sleeping or not sleeping well. As a result, insomnia sufferers can get irritable and depressed. These symptoms can trigger other symptoms, such as:

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Drowsiness during the day.

Easily tired when on the move.

Difficult to focus on activities.

Sleeplessness can make insomnia sufferers less concentrated, so the risk of an accident. Insomnia can also reduce memory and sex drive, and cause physical and mental disorders.

Causes and Risk Factors for Insomnia

Insomnia can be experienced by anyone, but insomnia is more risky in the elderly, and someone who has health problems. In general, insomnia is caused by several things such as:

Stressful

Depression

Unhealthy lifestyle

Effect of certain drugs.

Treatment of insomnia

Insomnia can be overcome in several ways, such as the use of drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of both. Treatment will be adjusted to the conditions of each patient. If needed, the doctor will give patients sleeping pills for several weeks.

Insomnia can be prevented by:

Avoid eating and drinking a lot before going to bed.

Avoid or limit consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

Try to be active during the day to avoid napping.

Symptoms of insomnia are quite diverse, and can last in months or even years. In general, people with insomnia experience difficulty sleeping or often wake up at night, wake up too early in the morning, and sleep that feels not sound or not enough. Some of these symptoms can trigger other symptoms, such as drowsiness or fatigue during the day, irritability and depression, and difficulty focusing on activities.

Insomnia can be short (acute), or occur in the long term (chronic). Acute insomnia lasts one night to several weeks. Whereas chronic insomnia occurs at least 3 nights a week, and lasts for months.

Complications of Insomnia

Adequate quality and quantity of sleep is very important for physical and mental health. Therefore, the quality of life for people with insomnia generally decreases, caused by a lack of concentration while on the move. Accident risk also increases, due to lack of focus on driving. In addition, insomnia can also affect the memory and sexual desire of sufferers.

Other complications that can occur in people with insomnia include:

Physical disorders - asthma, excessive body weight, diabetes, seizures, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Mental disorders - depression, frustration, and anxiety.

  

The first step to treating insomnia is to find out and overcome the root cause. If the patient continues to experience insomnia even though the cause has been resolved, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Patients can also be treated with drugs, or a combination of drugs and CBT-I.

CBT-I aims to help insomnia patients change negative thoughts and behaviors that make patients insomnia. This therapy is the main choice for treating insomnia patients, because it is more effective than drugs. A number of methods in CBT-I include:

Sleep restriction. Patients will be asked to avoid napping, so that sleep time at night can increase gradually.

Relaxation techniques. The patient will be taught how to control the breath, to reduce anxiety can not sleep.

Stimulus control therapy. Patients will be trained to only use the bedroom to sleep or have sex. Patients are also advised to leave the bedroom if they cannot sleep in 20 minutes, and only return if they are sleepy.

Paradoxical intention. This therapy aims to reduce anxiety and worry about not being able to sleep, precisely by staying awake in bed and not expecting to fall asleep.

Phototherapy. Phototherapy aims to normalize sleep hours, in patients who sleep too fast at night, and wake up too early in the morning. In phototherapy, patients will be exposed to UV light for 30-40 minutes after waking up.

Another method for dealing with insomnia is with sleeping pills. Generally doctors do not recommend using sleeping pills for more than a few weeks. Some types of medication that doctors commonly prescribe to treat insomnia include zolpidem.

Keep in mind, sleeping pills can cause dizzy side effects, and can increase the risk of fainting. Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor before using sleeping pills for insomnia.