Cause and prevention of sleep disorders. Poor sleep at night in an adult: causes and what to do. Main symptoms of insomnia
![Cause and prevention of sleep disorders. Poor sleep at night in an adult: causes and what to do. Main symptoms of insomnia](https://i1.wp.com/healthperfect.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/narushenie-sna-u-vzroslyh-lechenie-3.jpg)
Sleep disturbance in adults is a psychosomatic disease that requires complex treatment based on the reasons that caused its development. Chronic sleep disorder, the period of falling asleep or waking up, is called by the medical term - insomnia, hypersomnia or parasomnia.
Insomnia is a reaction of the central nervous system to one or several factors that negatively affect the human body.
The following reasons are identified that can disrupt the sleep process: depriving a person of proper rest at night or during the day:
- psycho-emotional stress;
- daily stressful and conflict situations at home and at work;
- unfavorable conditions in which the process of falling asleep occurs (hard bed, noise in the room or neighboring rooms, time zone change);
- long-term use of medications containing active substances that affect the functioning of the central nervous system, psychosomatic reactions (antidepressants, nootropics, corticosteroids, psychostimulants);
- alcohol abuse, when a person develops a stable dependence on alcohol;
- taking narcotic drugs (substances contained in cocaine, LSD and marijuana have a stimulating effect on the psyche, provoking a prolonged period of wakefulness, a surge of vitality and energy);
- the presence of concomitant neurological and psychosomatic disorders;
- diseases of the endocrine system in the form of hypoglycemia,
- caused by diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis of the thyroid gland;
- chronic obstructive bronchitis, asthma of allergic etiology;
- esophageal type gastric reflux, ulcer, intestinal gastroduodenitis, heartburn;
- irregular work schedule, night shifts in production;
- foci of chronic infection located in the tissues of internal organs, which cause fever, the appearance of low-grade fever, and disrupt night sleep;
- cardiovascular pathologies, manifested by arrhythmia, tachycardia, angina pectoris, slow heart rate;
- hypertension or chronic hypotension;
- consequences of a traumatic brain injury, progressive Parkinson's disease, age-related or intoxication dementia;
- conditions of the body accompanied by attacks of acute pain (arthritis of the joints, stage 3-4 cancers, intestinal obstruction, brain oncology, phantom pain after amputation of limbs);
- dermatological diseases, which are accompanied by severe itching of the skin and the formation of trophic ulcers;
- specific conditions that manifest themselves exclusively during sleep - apnea, restless legs syndrome, Pickwick, teeth grinding;
- prolonged depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and obsessive states, as well as other mental disorders;
- old age.
Sleep disturbance in adults can occur suddenly without obvious reasons.
According to medical statistics, in 15% of cases, it is not possible to determine the true cause of insomnia. In addition, the process of diagnosis and treatment is complicated by the patient’s incorrect actions in the form of attempts to self-treat insomnia by taking medications or drinking alcohol immediately before going to bed.
Types of diseases that cause sleep disturbance in adults
Sleep disturbance in adults, the treatment of which requires the use of sedatives and sedatives, is classified according to the type of psychosomatic disorder. The table below lists the types of disorders of the sleep process, falling asleep and the functioning of internal organs that are at rest.
Type of sleep disorder | Characteristics of the pathological condition |
Insomnia | A classic manifestation of a disorder in the process of falling asleep and staying asleep. The patient may lie in bed for 1-3 hours and unsuccessfully try to sleep. Signs of insomnia are restless, shallow and interrupted sleep. This type of disease occurs in people of all age groups. The manifestation of the disease is associated with psychosomatic disorders, restless legs syndrome, stress and nervous strain. |
Hypersomnia | Unlike insomnia, this type of pathological condition is characterized by increased drowsiness. A person constantly feels sleepy. Similar symptoms are present both at night and during the day. Hypersomnia significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life and increases the risk of accidents. The most common causes of hypersomnia are taking medications, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, and alcoholism. |
Parasomnia | One of the most severe and dangerous sleep disorders. It manifests itself as sudden attacks of fear, suffocation, convulsions that lead to awakening, shortness of breath, and sweating. Parasomnia is characterized by disruption of the functioning of internal organs and systems. For example, sudden cessation of breathing, bedwetting. |
The type of sleep disorder is determined by the attending physician based on the results of an examination of the patient, the presence of current symptoms and clinical manifestations of the disease. Based on this, a further treatment regimen is selected.
Diagnosis of sleep disorders in adults
Sleep disturbance in adults, treatment of which begins only after a comprehensive examination of the body, requires the following diagnostic methods:
- collecting anamnesis about the general health of the patient;
- maintaining a separate schedule of periods of sleep and wakefulness (the patient is in the inpatient department of the hospital under the supervision of doctors, or records the specified data independently);
- conducting polysomnography;
- laboratory examination of venous and capillary blood;
- Ultrasound of tissues of internal organs, if the patient has a history of concomitant diseases of the endocrine, digestive, and cardiovascular systems;
- CT scan of the brain for possible detection of organic lesions and tumors;
- submitting morning urine for biochemical testing.
The above examination methods are performed in a public hospital or in a private clinic. In the latter health care institution, the cost of the examination will be 3500-4000 rubles. In the state clinic, diagnostic procedures are free.
When to see a doctor
Sleep disturbance in adults, the treatment of which takes from several days to 6 months, requires timely contact with a neurologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist. The choice of a doctor with the appropriate specialization depends on the presence of concomitant symptoms of a sleep disorder, as well as on the causative factors that caused it.
If an adult cannot sleep for 3 nights in a row, or his sleep is intermittent with frequent awakenings, then this is a good reason to see a doctor.
![](https://i1.wp.com/healthperfect.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/narushenie-sna-u-vzroslyh-lechenie-8.jpg)
Sleep disorder is not a dangerous disease, but it may be one of the signs of an existing pathology. It is also possible that serious complications and health problems may develop due to the lack of proper rest for internal organs.
Prevention of sleep disorders in adults
They consist of the following actions:
- adhere to a predetermined daily routine;
- go to bed and wake up from sleep at the same time;
- sleep on the same bed, do not fall asleep on the sofa or anywhere else in the house;
- do not take medications and drinks that increase the activity of the central nervous system (coffee, strong tea, alcohol, antidepressants);
- avoid eating immediately before bed;
- provide the body with a sufficient level of physical activity in the form of sports such as athletics, cycling, swimming (do not perform exercises in the evening);
- do not go to bed on an empty stomach (you are allowed to drink a glass of warm milk with honey, cocoa or kefir);
- before going to bed there should be no intense mental stress that requires concentration and prolonged concentration;
- avoid stressful, conflict situations, psycho-emotional stress;
- before going to bed, engage in an activity that calms the nervous system and helps you fall asleep quickly (reading a book, prayer, meditation, watching television);
- you need to fall asleep only in favorable conditions, so that there is no noise in the house, the lighting in the room should be turned off, there should be no drafts, the night curtains should be drawn;
- the bed for sleeping should be soft, even and comfortable; excessive deflection of the mesh or excessive rigidity is not allowed;
- You should not drink more than 150 ml of water at night (otherwise sleep may be disturbed by an overfilled bladder);
- the room where night sleep takes place must be well ventilated and saturated with a sufficient amount of fresh air;
- You need to go to bed as soon as the first signs of drowsiness appear.
If a person goes to bed, and after 30 minutes. sleep has not come, then you can’t stay in bed. It is necessary to turn on the light in the room and occupy yourself with something distracting that requires concentration. The best option would be to read a book, solve a crossword puzzle, collect construction sets, puzzles or mosaics.
Treatments for sleep disorders in adults
Therapy for sleep disorders in adults can be based on medications, traditional medicine recipes, or the use of psychological methods. Each of the following methods is effective in its own way and may be suitable for patients with sleep disorders.
Medications
Drug therapy is the most effective way to treat insomnia in adults. Especially if sleep disturbance is caused by stress, anxiety, or concomitant psychosomatic diseases.
In this case, the following drugs are used:
- Ivadal– a potent sleeping pill, produced by the manufacturer in tablet form, prescribed 10 mg immediately before bedtime; for older people, the dose is reduced by 2 times (the duration of therapy is from 2 days to 4 weeks, depending on the type and severity of the sleep disorder);
- Adorma– prescribed to take 1 tablet (5 mg) over 5-10 minutes. before going to bed, short-term sleep disorders require a treatment duration of 5 days, more severe clinical cases may require treatment for a period of 1 month. (the drug is prescribed with caution to patients with renal failure);
- Sanval– one tablet of the drug contains 5 mg of the substance zolpidem tartrate, it is prescribed to take 1 tablet before bedtime, and the maximum daily dose of the medication should not exceed 10 mg (for elderly patients, the dosage is reduced by 2 times);
- Donormil– an effective drug for insomnia, take 1 tablet before bed, which dissolves in a glass of water, is not recommended for people with concomitant kidney diseases, urine outflow disorders, and diseases of the respiratory system (used only for the relief of primary insomnia with short-term sleep disturbance).
Sleeping pills should be used only as prescribed by your doctor. Unauthorized therapy with drugs of this group can cause irreversible consequences for the human body, as well as cause coma or death.
Traditional methods
In addition to drug therapy, there are no less effective means of combating sleep disorders in adults. They consist in using the following recipes.
- Pillow with hops. You need to take a pillow measuring 30 by 30 cm, cut it and put 100 g of dried hop cones inside the filling. It is believed that the aroma of this plant strengthens sleep and helps get rid of prolonged insomnia. This pillow should be used for sleeping at night on an ongoing basis, or at the time of manifestation of disturbances.
- Warm milk with honey. In 15 min. Before your scheduled bedtime, you need to take 200 ml of milk, heat it to a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius, and then add 1 tsp to it. honey collected from herbs. The aromatic and healthy drink is drunk in small sips. After this, you need to perform oral hygiene and go to bed. Sound and healthy sleep is guaranteed throughout the night.
- Valerian root infusion. The folk remedy is prepared in the evening just before bedtime. You will need to take 1 tsp. dried root of this plant, pour it into a teapot or any other tightly closed container. After this, the medicine is poured with 200 ml of boiling water. You should wait 1 hour for the product to infuse. Then the tincture is drunk within 10 minutes. before sleep.
Before using folk remedies, you should first visit your doctor and have your body diagnosed. It is possible that insomnia or other sleep disorders are just a symptom of an internal organ disease.
Psychological methods
Cognitive psychotherapy is used as an alternative treatment method. Its use is effective in cases where when the cause of sleep disturbance is not related to the current illness, but is hidden in the patient’s self-hypnosis and catastrophizing of insomnia.
A cognitive psychotherapist conducts explanatory work with a person, explains that there is no need to be so critical of the disruption of the sleep process.
Complications and health problems will not develop as quickly, and the body independently regulates the need for hours of sleep and wakefulness. Attempts are also being made to establish the psychological cause that causes problems with rest at night.
Other methods
Depending on the clinical manifestations of the sleep disorder, the following methods of combating insomnia can be used:
- reading a book at night;
- listening to classical or relaxing music;
- hypnosis;
- massage of the temporal region of the head or collar area;
- a calm conversation with a loved one.
Each of the above methods is effective for uncomplicated forms of insomnia and other sleep disorders, the process of falling asleep and waking up. They are safe for the body and do not entail side effects.
Possible complications
Chronic sleep deficiency can lead to the development of the following complications and concomitant diseases of internal organs: caused by the lack of proper rest at night:
- progression of the oxidative process inside brain cells, which leads to their faster death;
- deterioration of long-term and short-term memory;
- decreased thought process and functionality of all brain centers;
- increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic cerebral stroke and myocardial infarction;
- disruption of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, which over time leads to excess body weight gain, insulin resistance, and the development of diabetes mellitus;
- violation of osteogenesis (the process of bone tissue formation);
- drop in blood pressure, chronic hypotension;
- decreased concentration, drowsiness during the day, which can lead to an accident, car accident, or work injury;
- premature aging of the body.
Treatment of sleep disorders in adults should begin as early as possible.
Timely diagnosis and organization of the therapeutic process will prevent the occurrence of the above complications. Insomnia, hypersomnia and parasomnia are not complex diseases of a psychosomatic nature that can be successfully treated with medications and traditional medicine.
Useful videos about sleep disorders in adults and methods for eliminating them
Fragment from the program “Live Healthy” about insomnia:
Causes and treatment of insomnia:
General information
They are a fairly common problem. Frequent complaints of poor sleep are made by 8-15% of the adult population of the entire globe, and 9-11% use various sleeping pills. Moreover, this figure among older people is much higher. Sleep disorders occur at any age and each age category has its own types of disorders. Thus, bedwetting, sleepwalking and night terrors occur in childhood, and pathological drowsiness or insomnia is more common in older people. There are also sleep disorders that, starting in childhood, accompany a person throughout his life, for example, narcolepsy.
Sleep disorders can be primary - not related to the pathology of any organs, or secondary - arising as a consequence of other diseases. Sleep disorders can occur with various diseases of the central nervous system or mental disorders. With a number of somatic diseases, patients have problems sleeping due to pain, cough, shortness of breath, attacks of angina or arrhythmia, itching, frequent urination, etc. Intoxications of various origins, including in cancer patients, often cause drowsiness. Sleep disturbances in the form of pathological drowsiness can develop due to hormonal abnormalities, for example, with pathology of the hypothalamic-mesencephalic region (epidemic encephalitis, tumor, etc.).
Classification of sleep disorders
Insomnia (insomnia, disturbances in the process of falling asleep and staying asleep):
- Psychosomatic insomnia - associated with a psychological state, can be situational (temporary) or permanent
- Caused by alcohol or medications:
- long-term use of drugs that activate or depress the central nervous system;
- withdrawal syndrome of sleeping pills, sedatives and other drugs;
- Caused by mental illness
- Caused by breathing disorders during sleep:
- syndrome of decreased alveolar ventilation;
- sleep apnea syndrome;
- Caused by restless legs syndrome or nocturnal myoclonus
Hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness):
- Psychophysiological hypersomnia - associated with a psychological state, can be permanent or temporary
- Caused by taking alcohol or taking medications;
- Caused by mental illness;
- Caused by various breathing disorders during sleep;
- Caused by other pathological conditions
Disturbances in sleep and wakefulness:
- Temporary sleep disturbances - associated with sudden changes in work schedule or time zone
- Persistent sleep disturbances:
- slow sleep syndrome
- premature sleep syndrome
- non-24-hour sleep-wake cycle syndrome
Bedwetting occurs in the first third of a night's sleep. It can be physiological in young children and pathological in children who have already learned to go to the toilet on their own.
Diagnosis of sleep disorders
The most common method for studying sleep disorders is polysomnography. This examination is carried out by a somnologist in a special laboratory, where the patient must spend the night. During his sleep, many sensors simultaneously record bioelectrical activity of the brain (EEG), cardiac activity (ECG), respiratory movements of the chest and anterior abdominal wall, inhaled and exhaled air flow, blood oxygen saturation, etc. A video recording of what is happening in the room and constant monitoring is made doctor on duty. Such an examination makes it possible to study the state of brain activity and the functioning of the main body systems during each of the five stages of sleep, identify deviations and find the cause of sleep disturbance.
Another method for diagnosing sleep disorders is the study of average sleep latency (ASL). It is used to identify the cause of drowsiness and plays an important role in the diagnosis of narcolepsy. The study consists of five attempts to fall asleep, which are carried out during waking hours. Each attempt lasts 20 minutes, the interval between attempts is 2 hours. Average sleep latency is the time it took the patient to fall asleep. If it is more than 10 minutes, then this is normal, from 10 to 5 minutes is borderline, less than 5 minutes is pathological drowsiness.
Treatment of sleep disorders
Treatment of sleep disorders prescribed by a neurologist depends on the cause of their occurrence. If this is a somatic pathology, then therapy should be aimed at the underlying disease. A decrease in the depth of sleep and its duration that occurs in old age is natural and often requires only an explanatory conversation with the patient. Before resorting to treatment of sleep disorders with sleeping pills, you should ensure compliance with the general rules of healthy sleep: do not go to bed in an excited or angry state, do not eat before bed, do not drink alcohol, coffee or strong tea at night, do not sleep in daytime, exercise regularly, but do not exercise at night, keep the bedroom clean. It is helpful for patients with sleep disorders to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. If you can’t fall asleep within 30-40 minutes, you need to get up and do things until you feel the urge to sleep. You can introduce nightly calming procedures: a walk or a warm bath. Psychotherapy and various relaxation techniques often help to cope with sleep disorders.
Benzodiazepine drugs are more often used as drug therapy for sleep disorders. Drugs with a short duration of action - triazolam and midazolam - are prescribed for disturbances in the process of falling asleep. But when taking them, there are often side effects: agitation, amnesia, confusion, and morning sleep disturbance. Long-acting sleeping pills - diazepam, flurazepam, chlordiazepoxide - are used for early morning or frequent awakenings at night. However, they often cause daytime sleepiness. In such cases, medium-acting drugs are prescribed - zopiclone and zolpidem. These drugs have a lower risk of developing dependence or tolerance.
Another group of drugs used for sleep disorders are antidepressants: amitriptyline, mianserin, doxepin. They are non-addictive and are indicated for elderly patients, patients with depression or those suffering from chronic pain syndrome. But a large number of side effects limit their use.
In severe cases of sleep disturbance and in the absence of results from the use of other drugs in patients with confused consciousness, antipsychotics with a sedative effect are used: levomepromazine, promethazine, chlorprothixene. In cases of mild pathological drowsiness, weak central nervous system stimulants are prescribed: glutamic and ascorbic acid, calcium preparations. For severe disorders, use psychotonics: iproniazid, imipramine.
Treatment of sleep rhythm disturbances in elderly patients is carried out in a complex combination of vasodilators (nicotinic acid, papaverine, bendazole, vinpocetine), central nervous system stimulants and mild tranquilizers of plant origin (valerian, motherwort). Sleeping pills can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision. After completing the course of treatment, it is necessary to gradually reduce the dose of the drug and carefully reduce it to nothing.
Forecast and prevention of sleep disorders
As a rule, various sleep disorders are cured. Treatment of sleep disorders caused by a chronic somatic disease or occurring in old age presents difficulties.
Compliance with sleep and wakefulness, normal physical and mental stress, proper use of drugs that affect the central nervous system (alcohol, tranquilizers, sedatives, hypnotics) - all this serves to prevent sleep disorders. Prevention of hypersomnia consists of preventing traumatic brain injury and neuroinfection, which can lead to excessive drowsiness.
Kalinov Yuri Dmitrievich
Reading time: 7 minutes
Sleep disturbance in adults is the scourge of our time. Often, problems with night rest, insomnia and other disorders become the cause of serious illnesses. Why do they appear and how to get rid of them?
Sound, healthy sleep allows a person to rest and recharge with energy for the whole day. The modern rhythm of life and constant stress lead to the fact that about a third of the population suffers from insomnia, or insomnia. Insufficient night rest leads to a deterioration in the quality of life and increases the likelihood of developing dangerous diseases. Therefore, it is important to identify the cause of the problem in time and begin treatment.
Types and symptoms of sleep disorders (insomnia)
Rest needs vary from person to person. For some, six hours is enough to fully restore strength, while others need to sleep at least eight to nine. Problems due to lack of sleep at night can occur periodically or be chronic. There are several types of deviations with different symptoms:
- Presomnia disorder, or difficulty falling asleep. A person may toss and turn in bed for hours trying to fall asleep. This is usually accompanied by obsessive thoughts and anxiety.
- Intrasomnic. A person wakes up many times a night for no apparent reason, after which it is difficult for him to fall asleep again. Sleep is often accompanied by nightmares.
- Post-somnia – short sleep, early awakening. Many people dream of learning to get up early, but in this case the person does not feel that he got enough sleep because the amount of rest was insufficient. This is a reason to think about your health and eliminate sleep disturbances.
Another sign of somnological problems is the constant feeling that night rest, even with a normal duration, does not give the required effect. The person feels “broken” and tired.
If such symptoms do not go away for a long time, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist. Frequent awakenings at night can have serious consequences for health: immunity decreases, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, breast cancer, and obesity increases significantly.
How would you characterize the sleep disorder that is bothering you?
Poll Options are limited because JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Difficulty falling asleep: I can toss and turn in bed for several hours. 39%, 596 votes
I constantly wake up in the middle of the night, and then it is difficult to fall back to sleep. 30%, 452 vote
Sleep does not bring a feeling of rest, regardless of the number of hours spent in bed. I always want to sleep! 16%, 242 vote
I wake up too early in the morning, regardless of my bedtime. 15%, 224 vote
12.03.2018
Signs of sleep disturbance can be observed by people of any age, with different health conditions. Some types of manifestations are typical for young people, and others for older people. Overall, about 10% of people living around the world experience either excessive sleepiness or insomnia.
A phenomenon that at first seems harmless can significantly worsen the quality of life:
- the person becomes irritable;
- loses efficiency;
- does not get enough sleep;
- experiences a loss of strength;
- forced to use energy stimulants or, conversely, sleeping pills.
If you have problems with sleep, you need to see him to determine the causes and prescribe individual treatment. In some cases, the treatment method does not require medication.
Types of ailments
What types of sleep disorders are identified in psychotherapeutic practice and neurology:
- primary - independent phenomena;
- secondary - caused by certain pathologies.
Sleep disorders are often a sign of problems with the central nervous system or incipient mental disorders. If the patient has a somatic illness, difficulty falling asleep can be caused by obsessive symptoms of the disease: pain, itching, cough, urinary incontinence and other signs. People experience excessive sleepiness due to various types of intoxication of the body, hormonal imbalances and cancer.
Classification of main sleep problems
Medical terminology includes several definitions for sleep cycle disorders.
Insomnia
Annual medical programs for adults
Adult annual programs "Taking care of yourself" are designed for those who take a responsible approach to their health. Programs include: consultations with a therapist, as well as the most sought-after medical specialists.
Pregnancy management program
The network of NEARMEDIC clinics offers expectant mothers the pregnancy management program “Waiting for you, baby!” The program is designed taking into account advanced international healthcare standards.
Diagnostics at NEARMEDIC
Any disturbances in the form of increased sleepiness, which is medically called hypersomnia, or lack of sleep can interfere with a person’s ability to live normally, plan their routine, and stay in good shape. Early diagnosis allows you to prevent changes in mood and loss of performance.
The initial appointment is most often carried out by a psychotherapist, since patients rarely complain about difficulties with sleep; more often they are brought to the doctor by the consequences: irritability, nervous tension, incipient depression, nervous breakdowns and similar difficulties.
The psychotherapeutic departments of the network of clinics are accepted for consultations and diagnosis of sleep disorders. If specialized disorders are detected, the doctor refers the patient to a specialist who will deal with the cause of the disorders. If the source of the problems is psychological problems, then therapy is carried out.
Specialists examine a sleeping patient, keeping a parallel record of the reactions occurring in the body. Polysomnography allows you to more accurately determine the type of sleep disorder in adults and choose a treatment method.
Treatment methods
Insomnia and hypersomnia of any origin are successfully treated. Patients report improvement within a short time. People return to normal performance, activity, and good mood.
So, if sleep disturbances are observed in the elderly (hypersomnia or other problems), a specialist helps establish a routine and gives general recommendations on improving the quality of falling asleep.
Doctors often prescribe evening walks, taking a bath, drinking tea, and special rituals before bedtime associated with calm, relaxing activities.
Treatment of sleep disorders can also be carried out with medication if there are no other methods. To eliminate disturbances in the form of increased drowsiness, an integrated approach is required, and it is necessary to identify the cause of such a disorder.
According to statistics, 30-40% of people on the planet systematically experience sleep disorders in one form or another, and in almost half of them the problem is chronic. At least 5% of the adult population are forced to regularly or constantly use sedatives and hypnotics to alleviate their condition. One of the leading causes of the phenomenon is considered to be neuropsychic stress that occurs against the background of stress and depression. Quite often, the problem lies in non-compliance with the daily routine, leading an unhealthy lifestyle. With timely initiation of therapy, the clinical picture of sleep disorders and their negative consequences quickly declines. Ignoring the pathology negatively affects the patient’s condition and threatens serious complications.
The cause of the deviation may be overvoltage.
Types and symptoms of sleep disorders (insomnia)
Rest needs vary from person to person. For some, six hours is enough to fully restore strength, while others need to sleep at least eight to nine. Problems due to lack of sleep at night can occur periodically or be chronic. There are several types of deviations with different symptoms:
- Presomnia disorder, or difficulty falling asleep. A person may toss and turn in bed for hours trying to fall asleep. This is usually accompanied by obsessive thoughts and anxiety.
- Intrasomnic. A person wakes up many times a night for no apparent reason, after which it is difficult for him to fall asleep again. Sleep is often accompanied by nightmares.
- Post-somnia – short sleep, early awakening. Many people dream of learning to get up early, but in this case the person does not feel that he got enough sleep because the amount of rest was insufficient. This is a reason to think about your health and eliminate sleep disturbances.
Another sign of somnological problems is the constant feeling that night rest, even with a normal duration, does not give the required effect. The person feels “broken” and tired.
If such symptoms do not go away for a long time, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist. Frequent awakenings at night can have serious consequences for health: immunity decreases, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, breast cancer, and obesity increases significantly.
How would you characterize the sleep disorder that is bothering you?
USEFUL INFORMATION: Sleep apnea syndrome: what is it?
Prevention
Insomnia in 90% of cases occurs due to somatic diseases or refusal to lead a healthy lifestyle. To prevent such developments, you need to be attentive to your health, treat diseases in a timely manner, and undergo regular medical examinations. Prevention of sleep disorders duplicates the basic rules for their treatment. It consists of correcting the daily routine, following nutritional rules, giving up bad habits, and preventing overexcitation of the nervous system in the evening.
Systematic disruption of sleep and wakefulness threatens a malfunction of systems and organs and serious psycho-emotional disorders. According to doctors, insomnia significantly increases the risk of developing schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. If self-treatment does not work, do not hesitate to contact a therapist.
Which doctor should I contact if I have sleep disturbances?
First of all, it makes sense to visit a therapist. The doctor will give recommendations on maintaining a sleep schedule, exercise, relaxation procedures and, if necessary, refer you to the right specialist:
- See a neurologist (neuropathologist). The majority of calls regarding sleep disorders come from this doctor. A neurologist may prescribe sleeping pills or sedatives, as well as other types of treatment.
- Somnologist. This doctor specializes in all types of sleep disorders, so it is recommended to consult him if you have persistent problems with night rest. The main research method is polysomnography. Unfortunately, getting to a somnologist is not so easy: he is a rare specialist, and he is not available in every city.
- Psychologist. It will help with sleep disorders caused by psychological problems, depression, and stress.
- To a psychotherapist. Deals with disorders associated with mental disorders.
- Other doctors: a cardiologist, if sleep problems are caused by heart disease; an endocrinologist if a person sleeps poorly due to hormonal imbalance.
Types of diseases that cause sleep disturbance in adults
Sleep disturbance in adults, the treatment of which requires the use of sedatives and sedatives, is classified according to the type of psychosomatic disorder. The table below lists the types of disorders of the sleep process, falling asleep and the functioning of internal organs that are at rest.
Type of sleep disorder | Characteristics of the pathological condition |
Insomnia | A classic manifestation of a disorder in the process of falling asleep and staying asleep. The patient may lie in bed for 1-3 hours and unsuccessfully try to sleep. Signs of insomnia are restless, shallow and interrupted sleep. This type of disease occurs in people of all age groups. The manifestation of the disease is associated with psychosomatic disorders, restless legs syndrome, stress and nervous strain. |
Hypersomnia | Unlike insomnia, this type of pathological condition is characterized by increased drowsiness. A person constantly feels sleepy. Similar symptoms are present both at night and during the day. Hypersomnia significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life and increases the risk of accidents. The most common causes of hypersomnia are taking medications, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, and alcoholism. |
Parasomnia | One of the most severe and dangerous sleep disorders. It manifests itself as sudden attacks of fear, suffocation, convulsions that lead to awakening, shortness of breath, and sweating. Parasomnia is characterized by disruption of the functioning of internal organs and systems. For example, sudden cessation of breathing, bedwetting. |
The type of sleep disorder is determined by the attending physician based on the results of an examination of the patient, the presence of current symptoms and clinical manifestations of the disease. Based on this, a further treatment regimen is selected.
Sleep problems in adults: types of disorders
A classification of sleep-related disorders has been developed. The most common types are:
![](https://i1.wp.com/neuro-orto.ru/wp-content/uploads/gipersomniya.jpg)
Having found out the exact type of disease, you can independently or together with a doctor develop a competent treatment method.
INTERESTING FACTS!
- The journal Sleep and Biological Rhythms published an article in 2011 that described the results of an interesting study. It turns out that night owls have nightmares more often than early birds.
- In 1979, a rare genetic disease was discovered - fatal familial insomnia. The pathology was observed in only 40 families, in patients aged 30 to 60 years, and is considered incurable and leads to death. A patient suffering from this disorder first suffers from severe insomnia, which is accompanied by panic attacks and hallucinations. Then the person completely loses the ability to sleep, then stops speaking, falls into a state reminiscent of a coma, and dies. It takes only 7–36 months from the first symptoms to death.
- The “internal alarm clock,” which helps some people wake up at the chosen time, works due to the stress hormone adrenocorticotropin. In fact, a person unconsciously prepares himself for a stressful situation upon awakening.
Preventive measures
Preventive measures to eliminate restless sleep are a system of simple actions. To sleep like a baby, try to follow simple rules:
- When in your home apartment, do not lie down on your bed until it gets dark.
- Follow your bedtime rituals.
- Choose comfortable accessories so as not to see bright light and not hear loud sounds (earplugs, special mask).
- Find an optimally comfortable and useful pillow - this affects your health and quality of sleep.
- Provide your body with sufficient physical training in the first half of the day.
- Avoid caffeine-containing products, alcohol and nicotine in the evening.
- Rid your body of unnecessary negative information, limit your daily time watching TV, using a tablet and laptop.
A positive attitude and the ability not to take the day's events to heart are the key to a great vacation.
Causes of poor sleep in adults
Sleep disorders can be caused by various factors. To accurately find out the cause of the disease, doctors recommend keeping a special diary. It is necessary to regularly record all events that could cause insomnia. The main prerequisites for the occurrence of sleep disorders:
- Uncomfortable environment. Often the reasons lie in the wrong pillow or mattress. For proper rest, the room should be dark and quiet. You also need to eliminate all unpleasant odors and ventilate the room.
- Emotional condition. If a person is tense or upset, thoughts are constantly spinning in his head, then it is very difficult to sleep.
- Poor nutrition. If dinner consisted of a lot of heavy food, then the likelihood of normal rest is sharply reduced.
- Frequent travel from one time zone to another, shift work schedule. The body simply does not have time to adapt to new conditions.
- Taking drinks and drugs that stimulate psychological activity. Therefore, you should not drink strong tea, coffee, or alcoholic drinks late in the evening.
- Diseases and pathological conditions: neurosis, depression, neuroinfections, concussion, asthma, arthritis, coronary heart disease, oncology.
- Menopause in women. A deficiency of hormones - estrogen and progesterone - manifests itself in the form of hot flashes and night sweats, impaired magnesium metabolism, which is responsible for muscle relaxation, and increases the tendency to insomnia.
- Treatment with certain types of drugs. Insomnia is a side effect of some medications. This group includes drugs to normalize blood pressure, for angina pectoris, diuretics, medications with caffeine, and corticosteroids.
- Hormonal disorders, thyroid problems. Thyroid hormones, which are produced in excessive quantities during hyperthyroidism, stimulate metabolism and prevent relaxation.
- Deficiency of certain microelements, vitamin deficiency. For example, a lack of magnesium in the body provokes nervousness and sleep problems.
- Hereditary predisposition to insomnia. Sleep disorders of this nature are difficult to treat.
USEFUL INFORMATION: Causes of sleep apnea: diagnosis and treatment in adults
Only by correctly identifying the causes can you choose the right treatment tactics.
Causes of sleep disorders and ways to cope with them
The science of sleep strongly recommends that everyone maintain an adequate level of nightly rest throughout their lives in order to enjoy the allotted time to the fullest and not go into another world earlier than expected. Unfortunately, sometimes the desire to sleep is not enough. Sometimes a person simply cannot fall asleep or achieve satisfactory quality of sleep due to his disorders, which we want to tell you about.
Insomnia
Insomnia, also known as insomnia, is an extremely indiscriminate and widespread sleep disorder that occurs in people of all ages. Characterized by insufficient duration and/or poor quality of sleep, occurring on a regular basis over a long period of time (from three times a week for a month or two).
Oleg Golovnev/Shutterstock.com
Causes. Stress, side effects of medications, anxiety or depression, alcohol abuse, drug use, disruption of circadian rhythms due to shift work schedules, somatic and neurological diseases, constant overwork, poor sleep hygiene and its unfavorable conditions (stale air, external noise, excess illumination).
Symptoms Difficulty falling and staying asleep, concern about sleep deprivation and its consequences, decreased mental and physical performance, and decreased social functioning.
Treatment. Diagnosing the cause of a sleep disorder is the first step to getting rid of insomnia. To identify the problem, a comprehensive examination may be necessary, ranging from a medical examination to polysomnography (registration of the parameters of a sleeping person with special computer programs).
Although it’s worth starting with the basics, which have long been tested by time and many people: avoiding daytime naps, controlling overeating in the evening, following a precise daily bedtime schedule, ventilating and curtaining the room, light physical activity before bed, avoiding mental stimulation from games, TV, books, taking a cool shower before bed.
If the measures taken are unsuccessful, the help of a psychologist may be required, treatment of the underlying somatic or neurological disease as prescribed by the doctor.
Restless legs syndrome
RLS is a neurological disease characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and manifests itself during a calm state, usually in the evening and at night. It occurs in all age groups, but mainly in people of the middle and older generations, and 1.5 times more often in women.
Causes. There are primary (idiopathic) and secondary (symptomatic) RLS. The first occurs in the absence of any neurological or somatic disease and is associated with heredity, and the second can be caused by a deficiency of iron, magnesium, folic acid, thiamine or B vitamins in the body, diseases of the thyroid gland, as well as uremia, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung diseases, alcoholism and many other diseases.
Symptoms Unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities of an itching, scraping, stabbing, bursting or pressing nature, as well as the illusion of “crawling goosebumps”. To get rid of difficult sensations, a person is forced to shake or stand on his feet, rub and massage them.
Treatment. First of all, treatment is aimed at correcting the primary disease or replenishing the detected deficiency of elements beneficial to the body. Non-drug therapy involves avoiding drugs that can increase RLS (for example, antipsychotics, metoclopramide, antidepressants and others), in combination with moderate physical activity during the day, rinsing the feet in warm water or vibrating the feet. Drug therapy may be limited to taking sedative (calming) drugs or develop into a course of drugs from the group of benzodiazepines, dopaminergic drugs, anticonvulsants, opioids.
It is a malfunction in the functioning of the central nervous system and is expressed in the physical activity of the sleeper during the REM sleep phase. REM (rapid eye movement) is characterized by increased brain activity, dreams, and paralysis of the human body except for the muscles that control the heartbeat and breathing. With behavioral disorder FBG, the human body acquires abnormal “freedom” of movement. In 90% of cases, the disease affects men, mainly after 50 years of age, although there have also been cases with nine-year-old patients. A fairly rare disease, occurring in 0.5% of the world's population.
Causes. Not known for sure, but there has been an association with various degenerative neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia or Shy-Drager syndrome. In some cases, the disorder is caused by drinking alcohol or taking antidepressants.
Symptoms Talking or screaming in sleep, active movements of limbs, twisting them, jumping out of bed. Sometimes “attacks” turn into injuries that are received by people sleeping nearby or by the patient himself due to violent blows inflicted on pieces of furniture.
Treatment. The antiepileptic drug Clonazepam helps 90% of patients. In most cases, it is not addictive. If the drug does not work, melatonin is prescribed, a hormone that regulates circadian rhythms.
Sleep apnea
Nothing more than a cessation of respiratory movements with a short-term cessation of ventilation of the lungs. Sleep disorder itself is not life-threatening, but it can cause other serious diseases, such as arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, pulmonary hypertension, and obesity.
Causes. Sleep apnea can be caused by narrowing and collapse of the upper airways with characteristic snoring (obstructive sleep apnea) or a lack of “breathing” impulses from the brain to the muscles (central sleep apnea). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is much more common.
Symptoms Snoring, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, headaches.
Treatment. One of the most effective methods of treating obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy - continuous provision of positive pressure in the airways using a compressor unit.
Brian Chase/Shutterstock.com
But regular or periodic use of CPAP machines is not suitable for all people, and therefore they agree to surgical removal of some pharyngeal tissue to increase the lumen of the airways. Laser plastic surgery of the soft palate is also popular. Of course, these treatment methods should be prescribed only after a detailed examination of a person’s health.
As an alternative to surgical intervention, it is proposed to use special intraoral devices to maintain clearance in the airways - mouth guards and pacifiers. But, as a rule, they do not have any positive effect.
As for central sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is also effective here. In addition to it, a verified medicinal treatment is carried out.
We must not forget about prevention, which needs to be addressed as early as possible. For example, it is recommended to stop smoking and drinking alcohol, play sports and lose excess weight, sleep on your side, raise the head of the bed, and practice special breathing exercises that will help strengthen the muscles of the palate and pharynx.
Narcolepsy
A disease of the nervous system related to hypersomnia, which is characterized by repeated episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy is very rare and mainly affects young men.
Causes. There is little reliable information, but scientific studies refer to a lack of orexin, a hormone responsible for maintaining a state of wakefulness.
Presumably the disease is hereditary in nature in combination with an external provoking factor, such as viral diseases.
Symptoms Narcolepsy can manifest itself with one or more symptoms at the same time:
- Daytime attacks of irresistible drowsiness and attacks of sudden falling asleep.
- Cataplexy is a peculiar condition of a person in which he loses muscle tone due to strong emotional shocks of a positive or negative nature. Typically, cataplexy develops rapidly, which leads to a collapse of the relaxed body.
- Hallucinations when falling asleep and waking up, similar to waking dreams, when a person is not yet asleep, but at the same time already feels visual and audio visions.
- Sleep paralysis in the first seconds, and sometimes even minutes after waking up. In this case, the person remains in a clear consciousness, but is able to move only his eyes and eyelids.
Treatment. Modern therapy cannot cope with the disease, but can mitigate its symptoms. Drug treatment involves taking psychostimulants that reduce drowsiness and weaken the symptoms of cataplexy or sleep paralysis.
Somnambulism
The disease, better known as sleepwalking or sleepwalking, is characterized by a person's physical activity while he is in a state of sleep. From the outside, sleepwalking may seem quite harmless, because the sleeper can do the most ordinary household chores: cleaning, watching TV, listening to music, drawing, brushing teeth. However, in some cases, a sleepwalker can harm his health or commit violence against a person he accidentally meets. The eyes of a somnambulist are usually open, he is able to navigate in space, answer simple questions, but his actions are still unconscious. Having woken up, the sleepwalker does not remember his nightly adventures.
Causes. Lack or poor quality of sleep, painful or febrile condition, taking certain medications, alcoholism and drug addiction, stress, anxiety, epilepsy.
Symptoms In addition to normal ambulation and simple operations, sleeping in a sitting position, muttering, and involuntary urination may occur. Often, somnambulists wake up in a place other than where they went to sleep, for example, instead of a bed, on a sofa, armchair, or in the bathroom.
Treatment. Often, people suffering from sleepwalking do not require medication. They are advised to reduce stress levels and maintain sleep hygiene. If the measures taken are insufficient, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed. Treatment using hypnosis is also practiced.
Bruxism
Expressed by grinding or knocking of teeth during sleep. The duration of the attack can be measured in minutes and repeated several times a night. Sometimes the sound is so strong that it begins to cause discomfort to people around. But bruxism causes much more harm to the sleeper himself: problems with tooth enamel, gums and jaw joints are aggravated.
Causes. There is no reliable information. Theories regarding the development of bruxism as a result of the presence of worms in the body, exposure to environmental factors, or the need to file teeth have not received scientific confirmation. The most likely causes are stress, mental imbalance, mental fatigue and nervousness. There are frequent cases of bruxism in people with malocclusion.
Symptoms Morning migraines and headaches, complaints of pain in the facial muscles, temples, jaws, ringing in the ears. With the long-term nature of the disorder, the hard tissue of the teeth is erased and caries develops.
Treatment. Self-relief from stress or psychological consultation. For patients with bruxism, mouth guards are individually made to protect teeth from friction.
Am2 Antonio Battista/Shutterstock.com
Night terrors and nightmares
Despite all the unpleasant homogeneity of horrors and nightmares, they are expressed differently during sleep.
Night terrors come in the deep phase of sleep, during which there are almost no dreams, so a person wakes up with a feeling of despair and a sense of disaster, but cannot describe a detailed picture of events.
Nightmares occur during the REM sleep phase, during which dreams occur. A person awakens from difficult emotions, and at the same time he is able to describe the details of what happened.
Anxiety dreams are more common at a young age, with a gradual decrease in frequency as people get older.
Causes. There are several theories about the origin of night terrors and nightmares. For example, a difficult dream may be the result of a previously experienced traumatic event, or it may indicate an impending illness. Often horrors and nightmares arise against a general background of depression and anxiety. It is believed that they also serve as a warning, strengthening a person’s phobias in a dream so that he remains as careful as possible in life.
Some antidepressants and blood pressure medications may cause troublesome dreams.
Involvement in horror stories in movies, games and books can play a negative role in the occurrence of horrors and nightmares.
Symptoms Screams and groans, increased blood pressure and sweating, rapid breathing and heart rate, sudden awakening in fright.
Treatment. Getting rid of stress, acquiring new positive emotions, maintaining sleep hygiene are the first steps to getting rid of night fears and nightmares. In some cases, treatment with a psychotherapist or medication may be necessary.
Have you ever suffered from sleep disorders? What techniques helped you get rid of them?
Night sleep disturbance in older people and adolescents
In older people, metabolic processes slow down, so the need for rest decreases. This is not considered a disorder and does not require treatment. However, older adults often experience sleep disturbances caused by illness and certain medications.
In adolescence, the causes of sleep disorders may lie in increased anxiety and stress. During your vacation, you should not think about problems and plan the future day. Once you get comfortable in bed, think about something good or immerse yourself in pleasant memories.
Complications
Sleep is an important function for humans. During rest, all organs and systems of the body are restored and prepared for a new day. Therefore, sleep occupies an important place among other functions. If you ignore the manifestations of regime disorder, a person may experience severe stress, depression and other problems. During the period of disturbed sleep, the patient may develop the following complications:
- the appearance of excess weight;
- excessive absorption of carbohydrates;
- weak immunity;
- deterioration of attention and concentration;
- atherosclerosis;
- depression and irritability.
Diagnosis of sleep disorders
If all the above reasons lie in external factors, then it will be easy to eliminate them yourself. In cases where insomnia is caused by illness, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination. The most commonly used diagnostic methods are:
- Polysomnography. This study is carried out under the supervision of a somnologist. The patient is asked to spend the night in a specialized laboratory. There, several sensors will be connected to it simultaneously. The equipment records brain activity, heart rate, respiratory system functions, blood oxygen saturation and other indicators. As a result of analyzing the collected data, the doctor can identify deviations and create a competent treatment method.
- Sleep problems in adults can also be determined by studying its average latency. The procedure is often prescribed in cases where narcolepsy is suspected. A person must make five attempts to fall asleep. He is given 20 minutes for one attempt. The break between studies is 2 hours. If the average time it took the patient to immerse himself in the kingdom of Morpheus does not exceed five minutes, he is diagnosed with “pathological drowsiness.”
Such diagnostic methods make it possible to identify the reasons why the patient sleeps poorly and develop the correct strategy for treating sleep disorders. Problems identified in the early stages are highly treatable.
Diagnostics
To determine how to treat a sleep disorder, the patient first needs to consult a doctor. With such a problem, a person should consult a psychotherapist, neurologist and somnologist.
For examination, doctors prescribe polysomnography with cardiorespiratory analysis - special sensors record a person’s sleep and all manifestations. After completion of the experiment, data on electroencephalography, electrooculography, electromyography, electrocardiography, respiration, and blood oxygen saturation are analyzed.
Such an examination makes it possible to determine the following nuances as accurately as possible:
- cycle ratio;
- their change;
- other factors affecting sleep.
The disorder can be diagnosed in another way - by identifying average latency. This method will allow the physician to determine the root cause of drowsiness and identify narcolepsy if it has developed in the patient. The experiment is carried out on the basis of 5 attempts to fall asleep while awake. Each time a person has 20 minutes to fall asleep. A second attempt is made two hours later. The average sleep latency is revealed over all attempts of a person. If the indicator is more than 10 minutes, then this is normal; within 5–10 minutes is an extreme indicator of the norm; less than 5 is abnormal drowsiness.
What to do?
When deciding what to do, you first need to identify the cause. If a medical examination does not show the presence of serious diseases, then simple methods will help solve the problem:
- Try to go to bed at the same time every day. A clear regime will allow the body to get used to it and fully rest.
- At night, do not read serious literature, do not watch horror films or thrillers. This leads to nightmares and sleep disturbances in adults with a fairly mobile psyche.
- Eliminate daytime naps completely.
- Sleep in a quiet, dark room. Make sure there are no drafts or stuffiness. It is important to feel maximum comfort in bed.
- Try to relax. Take a warm bath. You can add decoctions of medicinal plants or essential oils to it.
- Make time for physical activity during the day and, if possible, go for a walk in the evening.
- Avoid eating chocolate or drinking caffeinated drinks at night. Better eat a small portion of cottage cheese or an apple. Don't overeat before bed, but you shouldn't go to bed on an empty stomach either: both extremes are harmful.
- If you can’t fall asleep after going to bed, then it’s better not to suffer. Get up and do a quiet, monotonous activity - reading, listening to music or audio books, handicrafts. As soon as you feel sleepy, lie down immediately.
USEFUL INFORMATION: What is chronic fatigue syndrome and how to deal with it
If the above methods did not help solve the problem, then the reasons are more serious. You can resort to drug treatment only after consulting a doctor.
Insomnia caused by somatic, mental or neurological disorders requires specialized therapy. The problem caused by a violation of the daily routine and poor lifestyle choices can often be solved without medical intervention.
The main reason for the problems of most modern people is the habit of going to bed in an excited state.
Due to the lack of necessary preparation, their body cannot relax, the brain continues to work actively, the blackout does not occur or remains superficial.
Basic principles of treatment for various sleep disorders:
- going to bed and waking up should always occur at the same time, no exceptions should be made even on weekends;
- Daytime sleep is contraindicated for adults unless it has been prescribed for medical reasons;
- a bed is a place for sleeping, not eating, watching TV, or working with gadgets. An exception may be reading relaxing literature;
- before going to bed, it is recommended to carry out a preparatory ritual consisting of a walk in the fresh air, a bath or shower, and passive rest;
- in the sleeping room the air should be cool, humidified, and free of irritating aromas;
- The last meal should be taken 2-3 hours before bedtime, with the exception of soothing herbal teas or milk with honey;
- after 17-18 hours you should refrain from smoking, drinking coffee or alcohol, or other stimulants of the nervous system.
The last time you need to eat is 2-3 hours before bedtime.
An important point is to get rid of the habit of thinking about the coming day before going to bed, replaying past events, and remembering problems. It is better to master several techniques for falling asleep quickly, and just before going to bed, do a couple of muscle stretching exercises. This type of physical activity will ensure relaxation and quick fall asleep.
How to treat? Medicines, preparations, drops, tablets
Often people turn to the pharmacy with a question about how to treat sleep disorders. Today there are many drugs that have a mild sedative effect. They help you relax, forget about problems and relax. Among the popular means are the following:
- "Novo-passit". This is a herbal preparation. It will help if poor sleep is caused by overexertion, stress, anxiety and anxiety. Doctors recommend using it to treat insomnia.
- Corvalol. These drops are often used for heart disorders. They help relieve tension and eliminate restless sleep.
- "Motherwort Forte". The tablets contain a medicinal plant extract, as well as vitamin B6 and magnesium. The drug helps eliminate irritability and difficulty falling asleep.
- "Donormil." Helps solve the problem of interrupted sleep. By taking a tablet 20 minutes before going to bed, you can ensure proper rest. It should be borne in mind that Donormil is only suitable for combating situational (transient) insomnia, since it cannot be taken for more than 5 days.
- "Melatonin." This drug mimics the action of a hormone that regulates sleep. The drug is prescribed for early manifestations of insomnia. Gives a good effect when taken together with herbal medicines.
Taking sedatives is an effective solution for mild forms of insomnia. Strong sleeping pills can only be prescribed by a doctor, and they can only be purchased with a prescription.
Medicines
If possible, treatment of sleep disorders involves correction of the sleep schedule, the use of folk remedies, and physiotherapy. In extreme cases, the doctor prescribes pharmaceutical products to the patient based on natural ingredients that help relieve tension and relaxation.
These can be preparations based on motherwort, valerian, oregano, and hops. If even after such a combined approach the condition worsens, stronger synthetic medications are used.
To directly combat sleep disorders, drugs from the following groups can be used:
- sleeping pills;
- sedatives;
- antidepressants;
- neuroleptics;
- vasodilators.
For insomnia due to somatic diseases, drug therapy can be aimed at eliminating the source of the problem. In this case, doctors prescribe medications ranging from analgesics to hormones, depending on the type of pathology. Sometimes only surgical intervention can relieve insomnia, for example, for adenoids.
Sometimes only surgery can solve the problem.
Treatment with folk remedies
Any sleeping pills have side effects. To begin with, you can use folk recipes that will help if your sleep is disturbed. Here are some simple home remedies:
- Chamomile. Just add a teaspoon of dried raw material to black or green tea and let it brew. This drink is suitable for both adults and children. You can consume chamomile during the day and evening. It will help you stop waking up in the middle of the night.
- Decoction of medicinal plants. Mix 20 grams of mint, 5 grams of oregano, 25 grams of valerian root and 5 grams of hawthorn flowers. Brew the mixture in 0.5 liters of water and keep covered for about half an hour. Take half a glass before meals.
- Honey. Even a small spoon of this product will bring invaluable benefits. Soak a glass of bran in half a glass of water. Add half a glass of honey. Take two tablespoons of this remedy before bed. Two months - and the treatment will bring results, insomnia will stop bothering you. Warm milk with a spoon of honey, drunk before going to bed, helps a lot.
If you have trouble sleeping, it’s difficult to fall asleep or wake up, you shouldn’t ignore the problem. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will help you avoid serious consequences.
Traditional medicine
A simple, affordable and effective way to speed up falling asleep is to drink milk with honey. The drink should be heated until warm, add a teaspoon of beekeeping product to it, stir and drink within 1-2 minutes. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to add a teaspoon of dill decoction or freshly squeezed juice to the natural medicine. The approach will shorten the period of wakefulness before bedtime and reduce the likelihood of night awakenings.
A good effect is obtained from a course of herbal decoctions. Drinks made with hop cones, chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint or oregano should be taken within 2-4 weeks. They can be prepared 1 to 3 times a day and drunk like regular tea.
A drink made from hop cones will help you heal.
What to do if you often wake up at night
Poor sleep at night in an adult can indicate serious illness. Therefore, in case of persistent sleep disturbances, first of all consult a doctor. A specialist will examine you and refer you for diagnostics to identify possible causes of poor sleep. Basic examinations include breathing tests, examining the structure of the nasopharynx, studying the functioning of the heart, and detecting diseases that disrupt sleep.
The gold standard for diagnosis is polysomnography– sleep study in a special laboratory. Before it is carried out, sensors are attached to the patient’s body, which transmit information about the quality of sleep to a computer. The equipment records brain function, eye movement, involuntary muscle contractions, and a cardiogram. In addition, during polysomnography, information about the oxygen content in the blood is collected, leg and arm movements are recorded, and respiratory function is also recorded. Note that sleep during polysomnography is recorded on video for more detailed diagnostics.
Why does insomnia occur?
Insomnia worries people suffering from a variety of diseases. The causes of insomnia in girls and boys are often associated with severe mental stress, serious worries, and significant physical exertion. For example, in adolescents, the causes of poor sleep are often associated with overload at school; insomnia in children can be triggered by physical overload. However, a person who experiences symptoms associated with poor sleep may be completely healthy.
Insomnia in humans develops as a consequence hypoxia, that is, a lack of oxygen in the human body. Hypoxia leads to dysfunction of a number of organs, which in turn worsens the general condition of the body.
The causes of insomnia in men and women are also often associated with neuroses, cardiovascular diseases, mental illness, neuroinfections. People who have suffered damage to the brain, in particular to those areas of the brain that are responsible for regulating periods of sleep and wakefulness, often wonder why insomnia plagues them.
The causes of sleep disorders are very often associated with stress or mental overload. A person who has experienced a traumatic situation to the psyche notes constant sleep disturbances, fatigue, and weakness. Why poor sleep affects performance is clear to everyone. Therefore, it is important to avoid stressful situations as much as possible and protect the psyche from shocks.
Sleep disturbances, both in old age and in middle-aged women and men, can be explained by disturbances in blood flow in the central nervous system, changes intracranial pressure.
In addition, the causes of sleep disturbance in adults are sometimes associated with the fact that a person stays awake at night due to work, entertainment or other reasons. If there is a change in time zones while traveling, the traveler may also suffer from insomnia. In this case, the answer to the question of what to do if you suffer from insomnia is not found until the human body adapts to the new time zone.
Sleep disorders are a pressing problem for people who abuse drugs, psychoactive substances, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. Night sleep disorder is also observed in those who regularly drink alcohol. Complaints of being tormented by insomnia are noted both on days when a person is intoxicated and after a binge. Sleep disturbances are often present in those who suffer from depression and neuroses.
Insomnia is often observed in expectant mothers at different periods pregnancy. What to do during pregnancy in order to adjust the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness cannot be decided without consulting a doctor.
However, insomnia during pregnancy is generally considered completely normal. Sleep disturbances can begin as early as early in pregnancy. For many women, insomnia begins already in the first trimester of pregnancy. This occurs due to the effects of hormonal imbalance. Level up progesterone and other hormones leads to the fact that a woman’s body sometimes cannot achieve the proper level of relaxation. Therefore, insomnia in some cases is even perceived as an indirect sign of pregnancy.
Insomnia during late pregnancy is associated with physiological reasons. Taking into account the peculiarities of the anatomy of the expectant mother, it is easy to explain why insomnia in pregnant women is a common companion during this period of life. The weight increases, the belly grows, the fetus moves more and more often, so it is very difficult for a woman to sleep peacefully at night. In addition, due to the pressure of the uterus on the bladder, a woman has to go to the toilet several times every night. Your doctor will tell you how to deal with these phenomena. After all, there are a number of simple rules that can make the condition of the expectant mother at least a little easier.
Insomnia in children of the first year of life most often associated with intestinal colic and teething. In newborn babies, the digestive system gradually adapts, which leads to discomfort associated with colic. Sleep disturbance in a teething baby also occurs due to a strong increase in saliva production. It accumulates in the throat, causing the child to wake up. Early insomnia may also be associated with the child’s reaction to the food he eats. Sometimes a child develops allergic reaction for some food products. The most common allergy is to cow's milk, but the baby's body can react ambiguously to other foods. Due to allergies to foods that the mother eats, even insomnia may occur in an infant.
Sleep disturbances in children are observed when the body is infected pinworms, which cause very severe itching in the anus, laying eggs there. Therefore, if a child 10 years of age or older has insomnia, he should definitely be tested for worms.
It happens that a child’s sleep disturbance occurs due to ear infections. This disease is very difficult to recognize in a small child, and sometimes sleep disturbance in children is the only symptom of an ear infection. When the child lies down, the fluid that appears as a result of the infection presses on the eardrum. In an upright position, pain and pressure are reduced. Consequently, the child cannot sleep peacefully.
Insomnia in older children can be observed due to excess activity, both physical and mental. Sometimes childhood insomnia develops due to a violation of the nightly ritual to which the baby is accustomed. Children after the age of three often wake up in the middle of the night if they have a very strong imagination. In this case, they are prevented from having a normal rest by the fears that their own imagination generates.
Types of disorders
There are a wide variety of disorders. They manifest themselves exclusively individually in the patient. Sleep problems are different for everyone.
- Bruxism. With this type, teeth involuntarily clench or grind teeth.
- Phase delay. It will be difficult for a person to fall asleep and wake up at the right time. He falls asleep no earlier than one in the morning and wakes up during the day.
- Hypnea syndrome. Slow breathing is noticed, which is not normal.
- Primary insomnia. The patient has difficulty falling asleep.
- Kleine-Levin syndrome. Characteristic of adolescence. Then the patient sleeps for 18 hours. He will only wake up to eat. If at the same time the teenager is not allowed to sleep, disturbed and constantly woken up, he becomes irritable and aggressive.
- Narcolepsy. During the day there is drowsiness and unexpected falling asleep.
There are moments when you are afraid to fall asleep because of nightmares. With somnophobia, the patient is afraid to fall asleep and therefore feels panic at this moment.
Another type of disorder would be sleep paralysis. It occurs just before waking up or immediately after falling asleep. At this moment, paralysis of the entire body is felt, accompanied by auditory or visual hallucinations.
Drug treatment
If the problem cannot be solved by normalizing sleep and wakefulness patterns, then doctors prescribe drug therapy:
- Benzodiazepine drugs. To eliminate problems with falling asleep, medications with a short duration of action (imidazole and triazole) are prescribed. However, they often cannot be taken due to side effects: amnesia, agitation, confusion, sleep disturbance in the morning. For frequent night awakenings and early morning awakenings, long-acting drugs (diazepam, flurazepam, chlordiazepoxide) are prescribed. If such drugs cause attacks of daytime sleepiness in the patient, they are replaced with medications with an intermediate duration of action (zopiclone and zolpidem).
- Antidepressants (mianserin, amitriptyline, doxepin). These drugs are indicated for patients of all ages; they are not addictive and can be taken by patients suffering from depressive conditions. However, antidepressants are rarely prescribed due to their side effects.
- Neuroleptics with a sedative effect (promethazine, tizercin, chlorprothixene). This group of medications is prescribed for the treatment of severe forms of the disease, as well as in the absence of effect from treatment with other drugs.
- Weak central nervous system stimulants (calcium preparations, ascorbic and glutamic acids). These drugs are indicated for the treatment of mild pathological sleepiness.
List of sources
- Insomnia: modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches / Ed. ME AND. Levina. M.: Medpraktika-M, 2005;
- Komarov F.I., Rapoport S.I., Malinovskaya N.K. and others. Melatonin in normal and pathological conditions. M: Medpraktika, 2004;
- Kovrov G.V., Vein A.M. Stress and sleep in humans. M.: Neuromedia; 2004;
- Golubev V. L. (ed.). Autonomic disorders: clinical picture, treatment, diagnosis: A guide for doctors. M.: LLC "Med. information agency"; 2010;
- Rasskazova E.I. Violations of psychological self-regulation in neurotic insomnia: Dis. ...cand. ped. Sci. M., 2008.
Behavioral disorder of REM sleep is relatively rare. During this period, a person behaves violently. This disturbance occurs at the beginning of the dream. The disorder is more often observed in older people. Due to increased muscle tone, the patient can move his legs or arms without leaving the bed.
Such activity causes injury to the limbs when they hit pieces of furniture. Often the patient shouts something or mutters. Antiepileptic drugs are used to eliminate this disorder. Clonazepam has a good effect.
Drugs for the treatment of insomnia
About a fifth of patients, especially those with mental or physical illness, require sleeping pills. In other cases, eliminating the cause of insomnia, using mild over-the-counter remedies and non-drug relaxation techniques may be sufficient.
You should not take sleeping pills without prior diagnosis and a doctor’s prescription. They have a number of strict contraindications and side effects.
Doctors always prescribe such drugs in the minimum possible dosage, since depression of the central nervous system, as well as its overexcitation, are equally dangerous to health.
Sleeping pills are prohibited for pregnant and lactating women, patients with breathing problems during sleep, and people whose activities involve concentration and quick reactions.
Prescription drugs
Different groups of drugs are indicated for the treatment of insomnia. It is up to the doctor to choose the appropriate medicine for treatment.
Tranquilizers calm the nervous system, relieve irritability, fear and anxiety, eliminate neurotic manifestations and muscle spasms. Prescribed in low or medium dosages, in high dosages they cause severe drowsiness. Examples of tranquilizers:
- Phenazepam;
- Tenoten;
- Buspirone;
- Mebicar;
- Afobazole;
- Diazepam;
- Phenibut;
- Grandaxin.
Barbiturates reduce anxiety and depression, but can cause drug dependence. When taken for a long time, they cause a state of weakness and depression, so they are prescribed in short courses. Examples of barbiturates:
- Nembutal;
- Etaminal sodium;
- Surital;
- Repozal;
- Barbamil.
Forecast
As for the prognosis for recovery from insomnia, each case is individual. If we are talking about ordinary insomnia, then its symptoms will go away in 2-3 weeks, provided that all factors that provoke sleep disturbances are eliminated.
For example, if the cause of insomnia is long-term stress, it is necessary to remove it from the patient’s stressful environment. Excessive physical activity - reduce. The presence of harmful foods in the diet - remove. Etc.
A disease such as narcolepsy cannot be completely cured, just like sleep apnea.
Classification of violations
Both men and women have the same classification of disorders. Thus, in modern neurology, a distinction is made between primary and secondary sleep disorders.
- Primary - that is, disorders that develop independently, without concomitant diseases.
- Secondary are disorders that are a consequence of the development of any disease in the human body.
For most people, sleep disturbance is limited to insomnia, the causes of which we will reveal below, however, this is far from the case. Sleep disorders are divided into the following types:
- insomnia (insomnia);
- hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness);
- parasomnia (sleepwalking, enuresis, night terrors);
- disturbance of sleep and wakefulness (drowsiness during the day and alertness at night).
Insomnia
Insomnia is a disease that results in the patient having problems falling asleep or sleeping normally after falling asleep (constant awakenings, etc.)
Insomnia, in turn, has several types:
- psychosomatic (usually formed as a result of some nervous experiences of a person, lack of peace of mind);
- alcohol-medication (associated with prolonged and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or medications (consequences of long-term treatment). Such insomnia can be provoked as a result of withdrawal of potent medications).;
- mental (occurs as a result of mental disorders);
- respiratory (associated with disorders in the human respiratory system and the presence of diseases such as sleep apnea or decreased alveolar ventilation);
- pathological (associated with various pathologies that prevent a person from sleeping normally).
Hypersomnia
Excessive sleepiness and insomnia have a lot in common, at least in classification. Thus, the classification of hypersomnia differs from the classification of insomnia by the presence of a type of disease such as narcolepsy.
Parasomnia
Parasomnia is a special sleep disorder that can result in insomnia as a secondary type.
Parasomnia includes the following disorders:
- enuresis - urinary incontinence;
- sleepwalking - sleepwalking;
- epileptic seizures that can begin during sleep;
- night terrors.
Typically, some types of parasomnia are typical for young children and there is nothing to worry about. It is more difficult when night terrors or enuresis do not stop as they grow older, but become an established practice for a teenager and, ultimately, a young man.
Disturbances in sleep and wakefulness
Almost everyone has encountered this form of sleep disorder. Below we will explain why.
Disturbance of sleep and wakefulness has the following forms:
- Temporary.
- Constant.
The temporary form develops as a result of a change in time zones or a special work schedule, its main difference from the permanent one is that when the work mode changes or the body adapts to a new time zone, everything will return to its place. As for the permanent form, everything is a little more complicated.
The permanent form has several subtypes:
- slow sleep period;
- premature sleep period;
- not a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle.
Summarizing
People come to our medical center with various problems. One of them is sleep and wakefulness disorders, neurology - our specialists have had to deal with such complaints more than once. Over the years of practice, optimal courses of treatment for insomnia disorders have been selected, and the author’s methods have been tested. Thanks to this, we can move on to the patient’s healing process as quickly as possible. Come to us, we are sure that you will be satisfied with the quality of our services.
Health is something you don’t skimp on, and once you lose it, it’s very difficult to get it back.
Non-drug treatments
In order to solve the problems of sleep disorders, an integrated approach is needed. In such cases, doctors not only prescribe medications, but also recommend:
- Create a daily routine that suits you so that you sleep at least 8 hours a day;
- Exercise;
- Find a pleasant activity, a hobby - a source of positive emotions;
- Relaxing or healing massage sessions;
- Water treatments: contrast showers and healing baths with herbal additives (chamomile, mint, hops, pine needles, fir);
- Aromatherapy with essential oils (lavender, geranium, jasmine, rose, petitgrain, cypress, cedar).
Causes
There can be many reasons for such discords. They are divided into two categories.
Firstly, those that do not relate to diseases are included. The second category contains causes of poor sleep that are symptoms of another disease.
Healthy people may feel worse for the following reasons:
- late dinner;
- day rest;
- lack of physical activity;
- work at night;
- schedule failure due to time zone changes and others.
Important! To restore somnia, a healthy person needs to eliminate the cause of its disturbance.
A difficult awakening also indicates depression. Then, you will feel tired throughout the day, aggression and lack of mood will be observed.
Other diseases of the nervous system also cause somnia disorders. With brain tumors or diseases of the cardiovascular system, the sleeper will be haunted by poor sleep.
Problems also arise when taking drinks or medications containing caffeine. It is better not to overuse hot coffee or strong tea before falling asleep.
For people who react sharply to any impressions, this feature will prevent them from falling asleep normally. A minor experience can lead to hours spent dreamless.
When to see a doctor
Sleep disturbance in adults, the treatment of which takes from several days to 6 months, requires timely contact with a neurologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist. The choice of a doctor with the appropriate specialization depends on the presence of concomitant symptoms of a sleep disorder, as well as on the causative factors that caused it.
If an adult cannot sleep for 3 nights in a row, or his sleep is intermittent with frequent awakenings, then this is a good reason to see a doctor.
The article discusses effective methods for treating sleep disorders in adults.
Sleep disorder is not a dangerous disease, but it may be one of the signs of an existing pathology. It is also possible that serious complications and health problems may develop due to the lack of proper rest for internal organs.
Restless and interrupted sleep
Sleep is a complex physiological act during which the basic processes of the nervous system are “rebooted.” Adequate daily sleep is the most important condition for the normal functioning of the body, health and excellent well-being. Normally, an adult's sleep should last 6-8 hours. Deviations, both larger and smaller, are harmful to the body. Unfortunately, sleep problems are as common a phenomenon in our lives as stress, constant rush, endless everyday problems and chronic diseases.
One of the most common sleep disorders is restless legs syndrome.
Restless sleep is a pathological condition that negatively affects human health. While in this state, a person does not completely fall asleep; his brain can actively work due to the presence of non-sleeping areas. A person is tormented by nightmares; in his sleep he can make involuntary movements, scream, grind his teeth, etc.
What to do if you have trouble sleeping at night? Perhaps one of the causes of this problem is restless legs syndrome. This is a neurological disease accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the legs, which intensify when at rest. It occurs at any age, but most often in middle-aged and elderly people, women are most often affected.
Sometimes restless legs syndrome is associated with heredity, but mainly occurs due to a deficiency of iron, magnesium, B vitamins, and folic acid. It is observed in patients with uremia and thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse, and chronic lung diseases.
At night, tingling, itching, bloating are observed in the lower extremities, sometimes it seems to a person that there are crawling insects under the skin. To get rid of severe sensations, patients have to rub or massage their legs, shake them and even walk around the room.
One of the forms of insomnia that residents of megacities often suffer from is interrupted sleep. Those suffering from this disease are able to fall asleep quite quickly, but the quality of their sleep is very low, since these people sleep lightly and restlessly. For example, for no apparent reason, a person wakes up in the middle of the night, often at the same time. At the same time, there is a feeling of anxiety and tension, and several hours spent in sleep are not felt at all. Such night wakefulness can be short-lived, lasting a few minutes, or can last until the morning.
Repeated awakenings from night to night are accompanied by anxiety and cause negative thoughts. As a result, a person without enough sleep is forced to get up for work. It is clear that the lack of normal rest causes daytime apathy and chronic fatigue. “I wake up often, what should I do?” – Doctors are often asked this question by those who do not know how to cope with insomnia. In this case, doctors, along with general recommendations, can prescribe individual drug treatment after conducting a diagnostic examination.
General information
Sleep is an integral part of the life of the human body. It is on a par with the consumption of food and water. Because if one of the needs is missing, a person will die. And if water is taken away from you, then the body will take liquid from food, but such things will not go away with sleep. Lack of sleep will eventually kill a person.
Sound sleep gives a person more strength. Little sleep or decreased quality of sleep leads to a whole host of health problems.
Sleep consists of two phases:
- REM sleep phase.
- NREM sleep phase.
Violations in any of these phases lead to certain problems. If a person constantly interrupts the REM phase, he will develop mental problems. The slow-wave sleep phase will react with a deterioration in general condition, increased drowsiness and apathy.
Symptom complex
Symptoms of sleep disorders in a person vary depending on the nature of the illness.
Symptoms of insomnia
Insomnia (insomnia) in adults is characterized by a feeling of fatigue, decreased performance and a constant desire to sleep.
The child may become reluctant to go to school or kindergarten. Increased moodiness and even in some cases aggressiveness. More often than not, the child is apathetic and lethargic.
Complications of insomnia
People who suffer from insomnia cannot fall asleep for several hours, and if they succeed, then such sleep is quite light and is often interrupted during the night. In case of awakening, the person experiences problems falling back to sleep.
This is usually due to unresolved problems at work or school, or some stressful situations. The disease can also develop with depression. The duration of such insomnia rarely exceeds 2–3 weeks.
In people with increased sensitivity to what is happening, the fact of insomnia can cause fear that this will continue constantly and, as a result, insomnia will smoothly pass into the chronic phase, which is much more difficult to treat.
Cause alcohol
Insomnia associated with alcohol abuse is similar in its symptoms to the previous one, however, a person under the influence of alcohol does not understand well what is happening. Nevertheless, there is a problem with sleep, since the nervous system does not rest, but is constantly in good shape. The patient may wake up several times a night and ultimately the body does not receive the required charge of vigor.
In a person who is intoxicated, the time allocated for the REM sleep phase is reduced for a long time, which can lead to neurotic and psychological problems. As a rule, after stopping drinking alcoholic beverages, sleep returns to normal within 1.5–3 weeks.
I can't sleep because of the sleeping pills
Insomnia, which is caused by medications or all kinds of sedatives, also has the same manifestations: feeling tired, drowsiness, decreased performance.
Paradoxically, a person can develop insomnia due to taking sleeping pills. For example, a patient takes three sleeping pills at night for a month. The active substance accumulates in the body and the body gradually gets used to it. Once addiction occurs, the medicine stops giving the effect of a sleeping pill and begins to have the opposite effect. Increasing the dose will give short-term results, but the result will be the same, insomnia.
Psychical deviations
People suffering from mental illness may experience problems sleeping due to emotional and nervous experiences that they are unable to control. Psychiatry, in general, is a complex science and figuring out what exactly causes such problems can be problematic, but possible.
Diseases
Symptoms characteristic of people suffering from any diseases that interfere with normal sleep may differ. For example, sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by a short-term blockage of the airways, and as a result, the awakening of a person. In the morning, such people may not even remember that they woke up, however, the feeling of fatigue will be constantly present with them. It is all the more difficult to diagnose, since the patient thinks that he slept for 8 hours, but in fact, short-term pulling him out of the slow-wave sleep phase gives the same result.
Narcolepsy, on the contrary, is characterized by the patient’s sudden falling asleep, which he is unable to control or resist in any way. A person can easily fall asleep on public transport or at a meeting, and this will not be a consequence of the monotonous muttering of the boss or the rocking of the bus, but an instant reaction of the body. Oddly enough, the patient does not feel rested after such sleep, but rather, on the contrary, the symptoms are similar to insomnia.
Disturbance in sleep and wakefulness
Delayed sleep syndrome is quite common these days. It is characterized by the inability to fall asleep at the right time in order to be alert in the morning. The person himself is often to blame for this, since he accustoms his body to watching the phone, computer or TV before going to bed, as a result of which the nervous system cannot immediately calm down and adjust to a sleepy mood.
It’s not for nothing that scientists all over the world say that it’s better to read a book before going to bed. Paper! There is no way to scroll through the feed on your mobile phone. The flickering of the screen of electronic devices negatively affects the nervous system, hence the problems with falling asleep.
Even if the patient did not look at anything before going to bed, but had done so regularly for several years before, most likely the problem with falling asleep will remain - the body has gotten used to it...
Premature sleep syndrome is more common in older people. It is characterized by early going to bed and early rising. As a rule, they do not experience any inconvenience due to this, which cannot be said about their relatives living nearby. What if this relative suffers from insomnia? Can you imagine the scale of the disaster?
The syndrome is not 24 cycles, but rather a psychological problem rather than a neurological one. It consists in the fact that the patient lives not 24 hours, like a normal person, but 26–27 hours. This is possible for people who are completely blind from birth or for patients with personality disorders.
Parasomnia
The symptoms of parasomnia differ from the disorders listed above.
Sleepwalking is characterized by uncontrollable sleepwalking. The patient remembers absolutely nothing that happened at night and does not understand why they tell him that he walked in his sleep. If you try to wake him up during an attack of sleepwalking, he can get injured, often even of a psychological nature.
Enuresis, in turn, is manifested by uncontrolled urination. As a rule, such people do not wake up at the time of urination. Waking up occurs later, when it becomes uncomfortable for him to sleep on a wet bed. A similar incident can happen several times during the night. The consequences of awakenings can be different, but more often a person may not remember anything, and look fresh and rested, despite having a similar problem.
Nightmares are more common among preschoolers and less common among teenagers. Characterized by sudden awakening with an unpleasant feeling of anxiety. It feels like something bad has happened. This feeling can accompany the patient all day. More often, awakening occurs a short time after awakening.
As for such a phenomenon as night terror (not to be confused with a nightmare), then everything is somewhat more complicated. A person, as a rule, wakes up in the first half of the night, 3-4 hours after going to bed, with a cry or open eyes. Can sit up on the bed or even sleep. The main difference between horror and nightmare is that during horror the patient sleeps. The brain reacted to something, but the body did not wake up. In the morning he won’t even remember the incident. The phenomenon is rare, but it does occur. Often associated with sleepwalking (somnambulism).
Pseudo-insomnia
Separately, it is worth briefly mentioning such a common symptom among somnologists as pseudo-insomnia. This is a condition in which the patient claims that he hardly sleeps at night, although in fact this is not the case.
A person is fully confident that he suffers from a sleep disorder, although a comprehensive examination reveals that he sleeps at night (possibly with interruptions) for up to 7 hours!
Patients with mental disorders tend to suspect the presence of insomnia. It even happens that such people have many of the signs of lack of sleep listed above. Nevertheless, they do not need treatment specifically for insomnia, but it is simply necessary to show them to a psychotherapist, since the existing symptoms may be a sign of mental pathology.
Nightmares, night phobias and fears
Nightmares that occur during sleep disturbance usually occur in the first hours. A person is awakened by his own scream or an obsessive feeling that someone is watching him. Rapid breathing occurs, the pupils dilate, and tachycardia is possible. A couple of minutes is enough to calm down, and in the morning he won’t even remember what he dreamed at night. However, night phobias and fears are a serious disease, and they require appropriate treatment. They won't go away on their own.
Parasomnia
Parasomnia is a disorder of the waking up process such as nocturnal enuresis, nightmares, epileptic seizures, and sleepwalking. Parasomnia is caused by functional disorders of sleep regulation.
Violations of the regime in which the human body switches to its own rest cycle, regardless of the time of day.
There are 3 types of sleep pattern changes:
- Slow rest period - a person falls asleep late and gets up late;
- Premature rest period - a person goes to bed and wakes up very early;
- Increasing the length of the biological day.
Polysomnography is considered the most accurate and reliable method for studying sleep disorders. It is carried out in a special room in which the patient must spend the whole night. A variety of sensors are connected to the patient, which during sleep record cardiac activity (ECG), bioelectrical activity of the brain (EEG), respiratory movements of the anterior abdominal wall and chest, blood oxygen saturation, inhaled and exhaled air flow.
This diagnostic technique allows you to comprehensively study the state of brain activity and the functioning of body systems at all stages of sleep. The results of the study enable the doctor to detect sleep disorders and determine their causes.
Too sensitive and superficial sleep
Light sleep is a serious problem, both for the sleeper himself and for those close to him. And if a person wakes up from every slightest rustle, this becomes a real disaster for his family. Why is sleep shallow and what to do about it?
There are actually quite a few reasons why a person may be a light sleeper. But in general, they can be divided into physiological, that is, corresponding to the norm, and pathological.
Shallow sleep is completely normal for the following categories:
- Young mothers. In this category, the habit of waking up from the slightest rustle and snoring of the baby, and even more so from his crying, is formed due to the physiological processes occurring in the woman’s body after childbirth.
- Pregnant women and women during a certain period of the menstrual cycle. Shallow sleep in these two groups combined into one is explained by hormonal fluctuations in the female body.
- Night shift workers. This group of people is characterized by difficulty falling asleep and lack of sound sleep due to disruption of biorhythms.
- Those who spend too much time sleeping. It has been noticed that with a banal excess of sleep, its quality deteriorates, intermittency and sensitivity of sleep appear. Typically, pensioners, the unemployed, and vacationers fall into this category.
- Aged people. Elderly people become sensitive to sleep not only from oversleeping, but also due to age-related changes in the body. The production of melatonin (sleep hormone) decreases, which leads to insomnia.
As for the pathological causes of poor sleep, these include mental disorders, somatic diseases, exposure to medications and psychoactive substances.
If we have figured out the reasons for the lack of sound sleep, then the question of why a person suddenly falls asleep during the day is also very often asked to specialists. What is the cause of this disease and how to deal with it? In medicine, a pathological condition characterized by sudden and unpredictable attacks of drowsiness that occur in the middle of the day is called narcolepsy.
For those who are affected by this disease, and most of them are young men, the REM sleep phase can occur unexpectedly and in the most unexpected place - in class, while driving, during lunch or a conversation. The duration of the attack is from a few seconds to half an hour. A person who suddenly falls asleep wakes up in strong excitement, which he continues to experience until the next attack. This is the main difference between narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. It has been noticed that even during such sleepy attacks, some can continue to perform their usual actions.
Frequent lack of sleep causes loss of control while driving
Symptoms
The patient may report that his rest is disturbed if he is unable to sleep for a long time or if he feels tired in the morning. Subject to insomnia, wakes up in the middle of the night.
This condition is further aggravated by the fear of falling asleep. The patient, as night approaches, imagines how long he will not be able to fall asleep, and the thoughts cause him to feel even more insomnia.
Insomnia occurs under the influence of emotional or psychological factors. When they pass, the dreams themselves become normal.
With constant drowsiness, hypersomnia is observed. It may be associated with psychological disorders or after drinking alcoholic beverages.
Throughout the day, a person feels drowsy and cannot get down to business or start working. It seems to him that only after getting enough sleep will he be able to do something. But, often, even this does not help solve the problem.
In the presence of parasomnia, the sleeper experiences night terrors. Attacks that occur at night prevent you from sleeping normally. This disrupts the functioning of internal organs.
At night, you can’t control urination and much more.
Important! Symptoms often lead to impairment. For children, this threatens poor performance at school.