What to do when you can't sleep at night
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, difficulty falling asleep at night may be caused by excessive excitement before bedtime, poor sleep environment, neurasthenia, anxiety disorders, hyperthyroidism, or other similar reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment, medication, or other methods under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is important to maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
Generally, insomnia at night may be caused by excessive excitement before sleep, poor sleep environment, neurasthenia, anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the cause and improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other methods. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Excessive excitement before sleep: Playing with mobile phones, watching stimulating movies, or engaging in vigorous exercise before bedtime can cause brain nerve excitement, making it difficult to fall asleep. Avoid using electronic devices one hour before sleep. Reading paper books or listening to soothing music can help relax the body and mind. Also, avoid strenuous exercise before bedtime to help calm the nerves.
2. Poor sleep environment: Excessive brightness, loud noise, or uncomfortable temperature in the bedroom can interfere with sleep rhythm and affect falling asleep. Adjust the bedroom environment by drawing blackout curtains to reduce light, using earplugs to block noise, and maintaining the indoor temperature between 22-25°C to create a quiet and comfortable sleeping atmosphere.
3. Neurasthenia: Long-term mental tension and high stress can lead to nervous system dysfunction, manifesting as difficulty falling asleep, frequent dreams, and easy awakening. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Oryzanol tablets, Vitamin B1 tablets, and Anshen Bunaoye (tonic liquid for calming the nerves and nourishing the brain) to regulate nervous system function.
4. Anxiety disorder: Prolonged anxiety can keep the brain continuously tense, making it difficult to relax at night and leading to difficulty falling asleep and light sleep. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Buspirone Hydrochloride tablets, Lorazepam tablets, and Alprazolam tablets to alleviate anxiety.
5. Hyperthyroidism: Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones causes accelerated metabolism and nervous system excitement, leading to symptoms such as insomnia and palpitations. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as Methimazole tablets, Propylthiouracil tablets, and Metoprolol Tartrate tablets to regulate thyroid function and relieve nervous excitement.
In daily life, maintain a fixed sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day to establish a regular circadian rhythm. Avoid overeating or going to bed hungry, and reduce the intake of stimulants such as coffee and strong tea. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits to assist in improving sleep quality.
