Why do middle school students often toss and turn at night while sleeping?

Generally, middle school students who frequently move around during sleep at night may be experiencing this due to physiological development, leg cramps, liver qi stagnation, calcium deficiency, restless legs syndrome, or other causes. It is recommended that patients seek medical advice promptly for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Specific explanations are as follows:

1. Physiological Development

Middle school students are in puberty, a period of rapid physical growth and change. This physiological development may cause discomfort during sleep, leading to frequent turning or shifting of body position. It is advisable to develop healthy sleep habits, maintain a regular sleep schedule (early to bed and early to rise), wash feet with warm water before bedtime, and use curtains, eye masks, and earplugs to block out light and noise.

2. Leg Cramps

Leg cramps may result from maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods. These cramps can cause sudden muscle contractions accompanied by severe pain. If a middle school student experiences leg cramps during sleep, it may lead to restlessness, muscle stiffness, and intermittent muscle pain. Medications such as chlorzoxazone tablets, eperisone hydrochloride tablets, or baclofen tablets may be taken under medical guidance. Additionally, performing mild stretching and relaxation exercises before bedtime—especially targeting leg muscles—can help reduce the occurrence of leg cramps.

3. Liver Qi Stagnation

In traditional Chinese medicine, excessive stress is believed to cause liver qi stagnation. Middle school students often face multiple pressures, including academic, social, and family-related stress, which may contribute to this condition. Liver qi stagnation can lead to persistent emotional fluctuations, making it difficult for students to relax at night, resulting in restlessness during sleep, insomnia, and frequent awakenings. Treatment may include taking medications such as Chaihu Shugan Wan, Shenling Baizhu San, or Xiaoyao Wan under a doctor’s supervision. It is also recommended to adopt effective emotional regulation techniques, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, or journaling, to help alleviate mental stress.

4. Calcium Deficiency

Calcium deficiency is usually caused by an unbalanced diet. Calcium plays a crucial role in nerve conduction and helps maintain normal excitability of nerve cells. A lack of calcium can lead to overexcitation of nerve cells, thereby affecting sleep quality and causing symptoms such as restlessness during sleep, vivid dreams, and palpitations. Supplements such as calcium carbonate D3 tablets, calcium acetate capsules, or calcium gluconate tablets may be taken under medical supervision.

5. Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome is primarily associated with decreased immune function. Symptoms include tingling, aching, twitching, or a crawling sensation in the legs. These sensations typically occur during rest or sleep, prompting affected students to constantly move their bodies to relieve discomfort. Medications such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, or gabapentin capsules may be prescribed under medical guidance.

In daily life, consuming more protein-rich foods such as eggs, milk, and chicken can help enhance immune function and protect the body against illness.