What causes chronic insomnia?

May 14, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Shichang
Introduction
Frequent insomnia may be caused by factors such as poor sleep habits, negative emotions, depression, anxiety, or sleep apnea syndrome. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a healthcare professional. In daily life, patients should avoid using electronic devices before bedtime and drink more warm water.

Insomnia may be caused by factors such as poor sleep habits, negative emotions, depression, anxiety disorder, and sleep apnea syndrome. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Poor sleep habits: Consuming caffeine-containing beverages before bedtime, such as coffee or tea, may disrupt the normal sleep cycle and lead to insomnia. It is advisable to avoid these drinks before sleeping and instead engage in relaxing activities such as reading or meditation, which can promote better sleep.

2. Negative emotions: Long-term mental stress or tension may cause overexcitation of the brain's nerves, resulting in insomnia. Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or physical exercise can help relieve both mental and physical stress, thereby improving symptoms.

3. Depression: This may be related to factors such as academic failure or introverted personality. After onset, patients may experience low mood and loss of interest, leading to excessive neural activity in the brain, causing symptoms such as insomnia and early morning awakening. Patients are advised to take medications such as maprotiline hydrochloride tablets, clomipramine hydrochloride tablets, or amitriptyline hydrochloride tablets as prescribed by their doctor.

4. Anxiety disorder: This may be associated with excessive anxiety or major life changes. Affected individuals may find it difficult to relax due to persistent anxiety, leading to trouble falling asleep, insomnia, and other discomforts, possibly accompanied by palpitations. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as estazolam tablets, alprazolam tablets, or sertraline hydrochloride tablets for treatment.

5. Sleep apnea syndrome: This is usually caused by factors such as obesity or anatomical abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract. Patients may experience disrupted breathing during sleep, reducing sleep quality and causing symptoms like insomnia and daytime drowsiness. It is recommended that patients use medications such as aminophylline tablets, acetazolamide tablets, or oryzanol tablets under a doctor’s supervision to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, patients should avoid using electronic devices before bedtime, drink more warm water, and consume appropriate amounts of fresh vegetables such as radish, cabbage, and lettuce, which may help improve the aforementioned symptoms.