What causes insomnia at night?

May 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Shichang
Introduction
Insomnia at night may be caused by poor sleep habits, environmental stimulation, depression, hyperthyroidism, neurasthenia, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Patients are advised to maintain a light diet and avoid consuming caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee and strong tea before bedtime; instead, they may drink a cup of warm milk.

Insomnia at night may be caused by poor sleep habits, environmental stimuli, depression, hyperthyroidism, neurasthenia, and other factors. 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

Going to bed too late at night or taking excessively long naps during the day may disrupt the body's biological clock, leading to nighttime insomnia. It is advisable to establish regular sleep habits—going to bed and waking up at approximately the same time every day, limiting nap duration, and avoiding very late bedtimes—to help improve this condition.

2. Environmental Stimuli

Excessive noise or overly bright lighting in the sleeping environment may prevent the brain's nerves from relaxing, thereby causing insomnia. Using tools such as blackout curtains or earplugs may assist with sleep and help improve sleep quality.

3. Depression

This may be associated with factors such as breakup or academic failure. After onset, patients may experience low mood, anxiety, and other negative emotions, which can lead to increased brain nerve excitability, resulting in insomnia and possibly accompanied by feelings of fear. It is recommended that patients take medications such as maprotiline hydrochloride tablets, clomipramine hydrochloride tablets, or amitriptyline hydrochloride tablets as prescribed by their doctor.

4. Hyperthyroidism

This may be related to improper diet or prolonged negative emotions. The condition often leads to hormonal imbalances in the body, increasing nervous system excitability and thus causing insomnia, possibly accompanied by palpitations. Patients are advised to take medications such as propylthiouracil tablets, carbimazole tablets, or metoprolol tartrate tablets as directed by their physician.

5. Neurasthenia

This is generally caused by excessive mental stress or overuse of the brain. The disorder can lead to dysfunction of the cerebral cortex, affecting sleep quality and causing symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep and insomnia, possibly accompanied by memory decline. It is recommended that patients use medications such as vitamin B12 tablets, oryzanol tablets, or Zhenyuan tablets under medical supervision to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, patients are advised to maintain a light diet and avoid consuming caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee or strong tea before bedtime. Drinking a cup of warm milk before sleep may help improve sleep quality.