What causes difficulty falling asleep and difficulty waking up?

Generally, difficulty falling asleep and feeling unrested upon waking may be related to poor lifestyle habits, excessive stress, anemia, depression, hyperthyroidism, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Poor Lifestyle Habits

Irregular sleep schedules, consuming caffeine or alcohol in the evening, and other unhealthy habits may disrupt the body's biological clock, leading to disordered sleep rhythms, making it difficult to fall asleep and causing grogginess upon waking. It is recommended to adjust lifestyle habits by establishing a regular sleep schedule, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake in the evening, and avoiding the use of electronic devices before bedtime.

2. Excessive Stress

Long-term exposure to high stress levels may increase cortical excitability in the brain, resulting in difficulty falling asleep. Meanwhile, prolonged mental tension and anxiety may keep the brain in a state of heightened alertness, preventing adequate rest even during the day, thus creating a persistent feeling of being unrefreshed after sleep. It is recommended to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation to help alleviate stress.

3. Anemia

Anemia is primarily associated with excessive blood loss, excessive red blood cell destruction, or insufficient raw materials for blood production. Anemia may lead to significant ischemia and hypoxia in various organs, thereby affecting sleep quality and causing insomnia or non-restorative sleep. Symptoms may include pallor, dizziness, and fatigue. Treatment under medical guidance may include medications such as ferrous sulfate tablets, vitamin C tablets, and folic acid tablets.

4. Depression

Depression is a mental disorder that may be linked to life events or social environmental factors. Patients often experience disrupted central nervous system function, commonly reporting difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during sleep, and a persistent sense of being unrested. Typical symptoms also include low mood and loss of interest. Under medical supervision, medications such as paroxetine tablets, fluvoxamine maleate tablets, and fluoxetine capsules may be used for treatment.

5. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is typically caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones, leading to a hypermetabolic state. Elevated thyroid hormone levels may stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, impairing sleep quality and causing difficulty falling asleep and frequent nighttime awakenings, ultimately resulting in unrefreshing sleep. Symptoms may include palpitations, excessive sweating, and weight loss. Patients should follow medical advice and may be prescribed medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or levothyroxine sodium tablets.

In daily life, strenuous exercise and stimulating activities should be avoided before bedtime. Instead, one may relax the mind and body through warm baths, reading, or listening to soothing music.