Sleep problems: which doctor to see and what to do

Sleep paralysis is a syndrome in which a person loses the ability to move or speak immediately after waking up. Sleep paralysis and the reasons for which it occurs are quite easy to explain from a medical point of view. When a sleeper has vivid dreams, it seems to him that he is actively moving, while the muscles of the body are, in fact, completely relaxed. If you wake up abruptly, the body’s ability to move will return only after 10-20 seconds, which is shocking when you are asleep and may seem like an eternity. Therefore, it is necessary to think about whether the disease is dangerous and how to cure it.

Patients who suffer from insomnia, take sedative medications, and are being treated for narcolepsy experience the painful syndrome much more often than in completely healthy people.

Which doctor treats insomnia

Insomnia is a common and quite serious sleep disorder. As a result of its development, problems appear in the process of falling asleep, and systematic awakenings at night are noted. All these changes affect the general condition. Which doctor to contact for insomnia is the first thing you need to find out in this situation. Only an experienced specialist will be able to identify the causes of problems with night rest and select the appropriate treatment tactics.

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Main causes of insomnia

Taking into account the duration of insomnia, it is divided into several types:

• transitional – no more than a week;
• short-term – from seven days to three weeks;
• chronic – more than 21 days.

Among the causes of short-term and transient insomnia in both men and women are the following:

• failure of biological rhythms;
• the presence of an excess of light and sound stimuli;
• stressful situation;
• diseases of the ear, throat and a number of other pathologies that occur in an acute form;
• withdrawal of certain groups of medications;
• abstinence from alcohol or drugs;
• diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath, fever and nasal congestion.

There is no need to worry too much if the sleep disorder arose for these reasons. Chronic insomnia should be the reason to see a doctor.

Its appearance is due to the following factors:

• sense of anxiety;
• excessive psycho-emotional stress;
• depression;
• schizophrenia;
• bipolar disorders;
• chronic diseases;
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• neoplasms in the brain area;
• fatigue syndrome.

Treatment methods for pathology largely depend on the cause of sleep disturbance at night.

Which doctor treats insomnia?

It is impossible to definitively answer which doctor to consult for insomnia. To determine what caused such changes and select appropriate therapy, a person must be examined by a somnologist, psychologist, neurologist, cardiologist and a number of other highly specialized medical workers.

Therapist

If you have insomnia, you should first consult a general practitioner. He deals with health problems and is able to identify somatic diseases that provoke unwanted changes. If insomnia occurs as a result of their development, treatment will be prescribed immediately. If no violations are found in this area, the doctor will give a referral to another specialist.

Neurologist

You should go to this doctor if you have a history of dementia, narcolepsy, Parkinson's disease and a number of other neurological disorders that cause insomnia. The doctor will help you get rid of insomnia that occurs after a stroke, with impaired blood circulation in the brain and with high blood pressure. It will also help to identify the cause of nightmares.

Somnologist

Only residents of large cities can contact this specialist - this specialization is quite rare. First of all, the doctor finds out what the person is complaining about. After this, a special sleep study (polysomnography) will be performed. This records certain data that is recorded when the patient is at rest. After receiving the results, the optimal treatment tactics are selected.

Psychiatrist

If insomnia is caused by mental illness, a psychiatrist will help to cope with it. As a rule, medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics that have a sedative effect are prescribed. If sleep disturbance is caused by stress and everyday problems, in addition to prescribing medications, consultation with other specialists is necessary.

Psychologist

To cure insomnia, you often need the help of a psychologist. If the problem arose as a result of prolonged depression, frequent stressful situations or other psychological problems, therapy is carried out by this doctor. In this case, psychoanalysis is used, thanks to which it is possible to identify factors that prevent rapid falling asleep. The doctor will help a person learn to control their emotions, look at problems differently and distance themselves from obsessive thoughts.

Cardiologist

If insomnia is caused by cardiovascular diseases, treatment is carried out by a cardiologist. Sleep disturbances occur as a result of the brain signaling that there is a problem. For an accurate diagnosis, an electrocardiogram and ultrasound examination are prescribed. Often, cardiac arrhythmia, prolapse, heart disease and a number of other pathologies are detected.

Manual or acupuncturist

For such sleep disorders, these specialists are also consulted. This is due to the fact that a person cannot fall asleep for a long time due to muscle spasms. Acupuncture and massage help eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Thanks to special techniques, tension is relieved, the activity of the central nervous system is normalized, and resistance to stressful situations appears.

Which doctor treats insomnia and what does he prescribe?

It is sometimes difficult for a person with sleep disorders to decide which doctor to contact with their problem. Some are immediately sent to a paid appointment with a somnologist, but this does not guarantee relief from the disease. The best place to start is by consulting a therapist. The specialist will conduct a basic examination, prescribe a number of tests and tests, and collect anamnesis. Based on the research results, he will make a preliminary diagnosis and tell you which doctor to contact next regarding insomnia. In some cases, he himself is able to carry out the necessary treatment and relieve alarming symptoms.

Therapist

The causes of the disease are most often violations of the rules of sleep organization, so the doctor will collect a complete history and try to discover the source of the problem. Experienced specialists extremely rarely prescribe sleeping pills to their patients to restore sleep. In the absence of obvious provocateurs, they write out a referral to a psychologist, neurologist, or psychiatrist. In situations where the cause of insomnia is a malfunction of the internal organs, the therapist is able to independently prescribe treatment. This could be a diet, a special regimen, or drug therapy. Most often, such assistance is required by persons with diseases of the heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs, musculoskeletal system, and liver.

A therapist is needed when the cause of the deviation is a malfunction of the internal organs.

Psychologist

When deciding which doctor to contact for insomnia, few people think about a psychologist, confident that they do not have psycho-emotional problems. Some people live for years in conditions of constant stress, getting used to it, not paying attention to the gradual depression of their condition. Insomnia against this background becomes one of the most striking symptoms. Sometimes several sessions with a doctor allow you to look at life from the outside, understand the source of problems, and take the first step in the right direction. Psychologists rarely resort to drug treatment for insomnia, trying to make do with special techniques. In extreme cases, they recommend sedatives, tranquilizers, or anxiolytics, which can be purchased over the counter.

Psychiatrist

Insomnia is often the first sign of the development of mental illness.
It can also become their provocateur if sleep deficiency has been observed for a long time, but was ignored. Against this background, drug support is necessary. The doctor can use a whole arsenal of psychotropics and psycholeptics to alleviate the patient’s condition and slow down the progression of the pathology. Anxiolytics and antidepressants often themselves provoke sleep disorders, so the quality of treatment depends on the professionalism of the doctor. He must select the optimal list of products, their dosage, and intake schedule.

The psychiatrist’s task is to select the correct dosage and schedule for taking medications.

Somnologist

In clinical practice, there are individuals who appear healthy after undergoing the necessary diagnostics. General and specialized doctors do not identify obvious causes of sleep disturbances. In some cases, even a visit to a somnologist is required - a specialist in the treatment of narcolepsy and other disorders of the natural process. Polysomnography becomes the basis of diagnosis. The procedure using a device operating on the EEG principle is carried out while the patient is sleeping and allows one to obtain additional data on the problem. Based on the research results, the doctor selects a treatment regimen that minimizes discomfort and improves the patient’s quality of life.

Neurologist

Insomnia often occurs in people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or stroke. It accompanies various forms of parkinsonism, increased intracranial pressure, senile dementia and a number of other neurological disorders. Such problems are dealt with by a neurologist who corrects or corrects the situation with the help of medications. Sleeping pills are also prescribed as a last resort. Medicines are selected according to the main problem - nootropics, vasodilators, sedatives, diuretics, vitamins, angioprotectors and much more. The reason for a visit to such a doctor should be the appearance of snoring or sudden sleep apnea.

The problem often occurs in people who have had a stroke.

Manual or acupuncturist

Muscle spasms as a result of emotional or physical stress prevent you from relaxing and falling asleep. Often they are associated not with the disease, but with the patient’s mood, his mood.

Some techniques can be mastered on your own, but to get the maximum effect you should contact a specialist. Removing muscle blocks and tension will promote relaxation and better sleep.

Acupuncture relaxes muscles.

Other specialists

Depending on the type of pathology, insomnia may force you to consult a number of doctors. A cardiologist will help with disorders due to rapid pulse, arrhythmia, and changes in blood pressure. A dermatologist can provide relief for itchy dermatosis or other skin problems.

Sometimes insomnia accompanies the development of a cancerous tumor; here, consultation and support of an oncologist is necessary.

Treatment options

Treatment tactics are selected only after an accurate diagnosis has been made. Treatment may include the following:

• taking medications. Sometimes sleeping pills are the only possible way to eliminate the problem;
• electrosleep. Under the influence of pulsed microcurrents, blood circulation improves and a calming effect is achieved;
• massage;
• reflexology . Acupuncture affects a number of nerve endings;
• normalization of breathing by performing special exercises;
• daily routine - proper organization of lifestyle.

With chronic lack of sleep, the body's capabilities are reduced and well-being worsens. To eliminate the problem, you need to undergo an examination and identify the exact cause of insomnia. Often this requires consultation with several highly specialized doctors.

Losing sleep

After 65 years, sleep disturbances are observed in a third of people, up to a quarter of them fall asleep only with sleeping pills. Many people do not realize that insomnia is a painful condition and do not see a doctor for years, which contributes to the formation of various pathologies in the body.

Disturbance in falling asleep and staying asleep is called insomnia. It comes in several types:

• presomnic - a person cannot fall asleep or it takes a lot of time to do so;
• intrasomnic - sleep maintenance disorder;
• post-somnic - early awakening with the inability to fall back asleep.

Causes

Transient and short-term insomnia is caused by external and internal circumstances:

• Violation of the correct alternation of phases of rest and activity (night shift work).
• Insufficient comfort in the bedroom (temperature too low or high, bright light sources, noise).
• Increased level of anxiety and agitation of the patient (stressful events).
• Acute diseases with respiratory problems (rhinitis, shortness of breath, cough), surgical operations (pain), problems with urination and bowel movements (nocturia, diarrhea).
• Consumption of alcohol, psychotropic drugs and other toxic substances.

Chronic insomnia occurs against the background of diseases:

• Somatic pathologies: heart failure, arrhythmias, central nervous system lesions (tumors, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's), chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, strokes.
• Mental illnesses: depressive and bipolar conditions, dementia, schizophrenia and other psychoses.
• Side effects of certain medications: steroids, statins, alpha and beta blockers, chondroprotectors.
• Apnea of ​​central origin.
• Restless legs syndrome.

Diagnosis and treatment

The International Classification of Sleep Disorders lists conditions that warrant a diagnosis of insomnia in adults:

• Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, early awakening.
• The disorder of falling asleep occurs despite the necessary conditions for normal rest (comfortable bed, lack of light, noise).

Presence of a daytime symptom associated with insomnia:

• Increased fatigue, weakness.
• Disorder of cognitive functions: decreased attention, memory impairment.
• Reduced performance.
• Bad mood, irritability.
• Predisposition to errors of various kinds.
• Headaches or problems with the digestive tract due to poor quality rest.

Therapist

Insomnia is most often treated by a general practitioner. Patients should see a physician who treats most medical conditions.

The tasks facing the doctor during the initial visit:

1. Clarify what the patient is complaining about - difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings at night, lack of sleep or lack of proper rest that restores strength.
2. Determining the factors that provoke the development of insomnia - taking psychostimulants (coffee, tea, alcohol), sleep disturbances, occupational hazards and others.
3. Carrying out diagnostics for the presence of possible diseases that provoke sleep disturbances.
4. Making a preliminary diagnosis. If a disease is discovered beyond the competence of the therapist, he refers the patient to a doctor of a narrow specialty.

Recommendations during this period are of a general health nature:

• restoration of wakefulness and sleep patterns;
• walks in the open air;
• dinner no later than 2 hours before bedtime;
• comfortable conditions (ventilate the room, remove the TV, computer and other gadgets from the bedroom);
• keeping a diary that reflects all events related to sleep (time of falling asleep, waking up).

The doctor is in no hurry to prescribe sleeping pills, because the effect of the drugs is based on depression of consciousness, but does not eliminate the cause of the problem.

Neurologist

Many neurological diseases are accompanied by insomnia, and sleeping pills are useless until remission is achieved in the course of the underlying disease. In old age and senility, long-term use of sleeping pills quickly causes degradation of memory and thinking. In these cases, the doctor prescribes vascular drugs that improve cerebral circulation. Diagnostics are carried out using modern methods: ultrasound, encephalography, MRI and CT of the brain.

Cardiologist

Hypertension and heart pathologies are common diseases, especially in adulthood. In the initial period, they are asymptomatic, and sleep problems may be associated with the development of heart and vascular diseases. For increased anxiety, light natural sedatives based on valerian and motherwort are prescribed .

An electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the heart, Holter 24-hour monitoring of heart function and blood pressure levels will help to correctly diagnose and begin treatment for the underlying disease.

Psychiatrist

For mental disorders, neuroleptics and antidepressants, which have a calming and mild sedative effect, are used in the treatment of patients. Sleeping pills are prescribed to patients in case of prolonged insomnia, which leads to increased symptoms of the underlying disease.

Psychologist

Insomnia is often associated with dysfunction of the psycho-emotional sphere. A specialist, using psychoanalysis, and sometimes using hypnosis, identifies the underlying factors of neurotic states.

The psychologist helps the patient take a fresh look at problems, teaches him to control thoughts, block negative memories in his mind, develop the right tactics of behavior and an optimistic outlook on reality. The patient, under the guidance of a psychologist, learns the basics of auto-training and methods of relaxation.

Chiropractor or reflexologist

Treating insomnia using massage and reflexology methods is effective in the presence of muscle or emotional stress. Special techniques eliminate muscle tension, relax and calm the patient’s nervous system .

Somnologist

A somnologist is a doctor who treats insomnia. But this branch of medicine has just begun to develop, so specialists are found mainly in large cities.

Special research methods in somnology:

• Polysomnography is a recording of brain activity in adults during sleep.
• Electroencephalogram is the study of the electrical activity of the brain.
• Electrooculogram and electromyogram - recording of eye movements and extraocular muscles.

Frequent reasons for visiting a somnologist:

• constant snoring;
• different types of apnea;
• difficulty falling asleep, inability to fall asleep for a long time, spontaneous awakenings.

Insomnia is the scourge of modern man. The fast pace of life, the desire to be on time everywhere, steals time from sleep, the body does not have time to recover, and as a result, serious health problems arise.

For sleep disorders, which doctor should I contact?

Answers:

Masha Zhuk

There is no need to see a therapist, it is not advisable to see a psychiatrist

It's best to go to a neurologist

Zhenya horse

somnologist

Anna

Neuropathologist, psychologist.

Zmey

First, go to your local therapist, and then he will refer you.

Sergey

To a psychiatrist. And if you really don’t want to see him, then see a neurologist.

MargaritaFilatova

A somnologist specializes in the prevention and treatment of sleep disorders! And a full examination at the sleep center. — Polysomnography; — Electroencephalogram (EEG) — recording of the electrical activity of the brain; — Electrooculogram (EOG) — recording of eye movements; — Electromyogram (EMG) — recording of muscle tension (usually the mental muscles); — Dynamic pulse oximetry is a method of studying the level of oxygen in the blood without taking a blood test; — ECG;

Kobrylev Vladimir

Neuropathologist.

Irima

Sleep disturbances are symptoms of many diseases. In the human brain there is a very ancient formation - the thalamus, this is a natural computer that collects all the information about the state of the body: blood sugar level, amount of salts, body temperature, the presence of inflammation in some place of the body, etc. It also goes there information about external conditions: temperature, wind, day or night. The thalamus ensures the interaction between the body and the environment; it contains sections that ensure the sequence of sleep and wakefulness. Infectious diseases, prolonged pain (sore tooth, inflammation of the gallbladder, sinusitis, runny nose, radiculitis), stressful situations in the family or at work - all these reasons can lead to sleep disturbances. To properly treat insomnia, it is necessary to accurately determine its cause. If it is caused by worries, which is the most common, then talk to the patient, find out what is tormenting him, try to convince him that all life situations can be resolved, if only he had health and patience, and that “the morning is wiser than the evening.” A warm bath with pine extract, a light massage of the neck and back, and combing the head with a soft massage brush are soothing. You can drink an infusion of mint or motherwort, phenozepam or tazepam. It is advisable to turn on a small lamp in the room (insomniacs cannot fall asleep in complete darkness!). Advice - read A.S. Pushkin in a chant manner, 10-15 minutes. The words of his poems are familiar from childhood (when I slept so sweetly!), and the rhythm of the verse coincides with the natural rhythms of the heart and brain, which has a beneficial effect on an overexcited consciousness. Then, without turning off the light, offer to try to fall asleep, stick to this technique for 2-3 days, on the 4th day. exclude tablets from treatment. It is necessary to strictly observe the regime, do not allow the patient to sleep a lot (no more than 8 hours for adults and 10 children), and force him to walk for at least an hour before going to bed in the evening. Dinner should be light: exclude raw vegetables and fruits, black bread, as they make your stomach rumble, which also makes it difficult to fall asleep. If insomnia appears after a high fever or serious illness, then these are signs of exhaustion of the nervous system - such a patient needs a diet rich in vitamins during the day, an afternoon nap (1-2 hours) is required, and at night - sedatives prescribed by a doctor.

Elena

to a psychiatrist

ND

Hemaologist. Cause of insomnia: insufficiency of hematopoiesis...

Anastasia Lebedeva

To a psychotherapist, everything written above is nonsense, even on [link blocked by decision of the project administration] it is written that a psychotherapist deals with sleep disorders! Just choose your doctor carefully; now a good specialist is difficult to find. I had a sleep disorder and hardly slept at night, a psychotherapist helped me.

General practitioner

When sleep problems arise, the patient has no idea which doctor to contact first. Sleep disorders develop against the background of various psychosomatic disorders. In almost 20% of cases, the cause is diseases of internal organs.

Therapist

It is difficult for a patient to decide on his own which doctor treats insomnia and what causes it. If you consult a therapist, the doctor will ask you in detail about the symptoms, determine the range of possible causes and further actions.

The doctor will measure your blood pressure, refer you for an ultrasound, and, if necessary, for an X-ray examination (for severe coughing, breathing problems, wheezing in the chest).

The examination includes studying the influence of chronic diseases, medications, and alcohol. It is possible that to determine the cause and eliminate insomnia, consultations with a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, or endocrinologist will be required.

Cardiologist

Every second patient cannot sleep due to a strong heartbeat, reminiscent of the “fluttering” of a bird in the chest. Sleep disturbances accompany hypertension, angina pectoris, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. The cardiologist refers the patient to an ECG, ultrasound, and then prescribes treatment for the identified disease.

Endocrinologist

Sleep disturbances occur when there is an imbalance of hormones secreted by the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and ovaries. Insomnia accompanies pregnancy, diseases of the genitourinary system, and menopause. In these situations, you will need the help of an endocrinologist or gynecologist.

Important! Secondary insomnia - a “companion” of a mental or somatic disorder - will not go away without getting rid of the root cause.

The patient is prescribed therapy for the underlying disease. At the same time, the doctor prescribes medications to normalize sleep and herbal remedies with a calming effect. If insomnia is not associated with an internal disease, then it disappears after reflexology sessions and light sedatives.

The patient is advised not to disrupt sleep and rest patterns, go to bed and get up at the same time, and do relaxation exercises before bed. No need to doze off in front of the TV during the day and evening. You should not take stimulants at night, watch TV shows for hours, or read books with a tense plot.

How to treat? Medicines, preparations, drops, tablets

Often people turn to the pharmacy with a question about how to treat sleep disorders. Today there are many drugs that have a mild sedative effect. They help you relax, forget about problems and relax. Among the popular means are the following:

1. "Novo-passit". This is a herbal preparation. It will help if poor sleep is caused by overexertion, stress, anxiety and anxiety. Doctors recommend using it to treat insomnia.
2. Corvalol. These drops are often used for heart disorders. They help relieve tension and eliminate restless sleep.
3. "Motherwort Forte". The tablets contain a medicinal plant extract, as well as vitamin B6 and magnesium. The drug helps eliminate irritability and difficulty falling asleep.
4. "Donormil." Helps solve the problem of interrupted sleep. By taking a tablet 20 minutes before going to bed, you can ensure proper rest. It should be borne in mind that Donormil is only suitable for combating situational (transient) insomnia, since it cannot be taken for more than 5 days.
5. "Melatonin." This drug mimics the action of a hormone that regulates sleep. The drug is prescribed for early manifestations of insomnia. Gives a good effect when taken together with herbal medicines.

Taking sedatives is an effective solution for mild forms of insomnia. Strong sleeping pills can only be prescribed by a doctor, and they can only be purchased with a prescription.

Neurologist

This is a specialist who you can contact after a therapist if you have sleep problems. Which doctor to see next depends on the accompanying symptoms. A neuropathologist (neurologist) studies painful conditions that appear in psychosomatic disorders.

Sleep disorders negatively affect performance, well-being, and appearance. The neurologist prescribes sedatives, tranquilizers, sedatives and hypnotics. The doctor recommends sleeping at least 7.5 hours a day (the optimal duration of night rest).

Those who do not get enough sleep more than 3 days a week need to think about which doctor to contact for insomnia. In complex cases, when the disorder persists for 3 months, consultation with 2–4 specialists is required simultaneously.

Somnologist

It is important not only to determine which doctor to see for insomnia. You need to choose a medical institution - public or private. The former may not have somnologists, as well as the necessary medications and equipment.

Recommended treatment volume:

• Physiotherapeutic techniques , namely, magnetic therapy, darsonvalization of the head and collar area.
• Electrosleep is the effect of low frequency currents on the nervous system.
• Reflexology is an effect on certain points of the body.
• The course of sleeping pills is from 3 to 14 days.
• Relaxing, soothing massage .

Somnologists are accepted at large medical centers (private). Specialists of this profile carefully approach the examination and prescribe comprehensive treatment.

Psychiatrist

The solution to the problem of which doctor to go to if you are tormented by insomnia depends on the etiology (cause). A psychiatrist or psychotherapist analyzes the influence of increased anxiety, psycho-emotional stress, and depression on the occurrence of sleep disorders.

Attention! Depression manifests itself by waking up early with a feeling of anxiety (anticipation of trouble).

Insomnia is caused by mental problems. This group of diseases includes schizophrenia, bipolar and panic disorders. If such psychogenic causes of sleep disturbances predominate, then behavioral techniques are used.

Therapy consists of adjusting the daily routine and streamlining the lifestyle. The psychotherapist teaches methods of relaxation (relaxation) and reduction of emotional stress.

For chronic insomnia, the doctor recommends that the patient prepare for bed only if he feels drowsy. The bed is used for sleeping; during the day they do not read or watch TV shows while lying in bed. Then, within 3 months, insomnia is cured.

Treatment with folk remedies

Any sleeping pills have side effects. To begin with, you can use folk recipes that will help if your sleep is disturbed. Here are some simple home remedies:

1. Chamomile. Just add a teaspoon of dried raw material to black or green tea and let it brew. This drink is suitable for both adults and children. You can consume chamomile during the day and evening. It will help you stop waking up in the middle of the night.
2. Decoction of medicinal plants. Mix 20 grams of mint, 5 grams of oregano, 25 grams of valerian root and 5 grams of hawthorn flowers. Brew the mixture in 0.5 liters of water and keep covered for about half an hour. Take half a glass before meals.
3. Honey. Even a small spoon of this product will bring invaluable benefits. Soak a glass of bran in half a glass of water. Add half a glass of honey. Take two tablespoons of this remedy before bed. Two months - and the treatment will bring results, insomnia will stop bothering you. Warm milk with a spoon of honey, drunk before going to bed, helps a lot.

If you have trouble sleeping, it’s difficult to fall asleep or wake up, you shouldn’t ignore the problem. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will help you avoid serious consequences.

Manual or acupuncturist

A doctor in this specialty uses techniques related to alternative medicine. Reflexology, massage, and acupuncture are used.

There are rules that do not depend on the decision of which doctor to go to in order to get rid of insomnia. You cannot change or interrupt the prescribed course of therapy. Before visiting the doctor and during treatment, you should stop drinking caffeinated drinks and alcohol 3 hours before bedtime.

Advice! It is recommended to avoid physical and mental overexertion and stress.

Insomnia requires treatment if the sleep disorder does not go away within 4 weeks. A patient who has no idea which doctor to contact hesitates to visit a medical facility.

Delay is dangerous: insomnia becomes chronic and complications develop. Only early treatment and following all the recommendations of specialists will allow you to once again experience the “taste” of “the sweetest dish on earthly feast” - healthy and sound sleep.

Types and signs of different types of insomnia

Bruxism

Bruxism is a state of disturbed sleep during which the masticatory muscles periodically contract. A sleeping man has his jaw clenched tightly and grinds his teeth. Not only adults, but also children are susceptible to bruxism. There are no exact causes of this condition, but it is noted that people with defects of the facial skeleton suffer from it more often than others. This refers to the pathological condition of the joints, thanks to which the temporal part and the lower jaw are connected. This also includes malocclusion, tremor, dystonia of the lower jaw, and orofascial dyskinesia. Among ordinary people one can come across the assertion that bruxism is explained by helminthic infestation, but it should be noted that this opinion has no basis.

Narcolepsy

Sleep disturbances are caused by a disease such as narcolepsy. It relates to the central nervous system, and sleep disorders in this case are quite complex. If, on the contrary, a person constantly wants to sleep, and his sleep is too long, then in this case the term hypersomnia is used.

Nightmares

There is insomnia caused by nightmares. They occur in the REM sleep phase, and therefore, when waking up, a person can talk about dreaming about the topic. Young children are especially susceptible to nightmares because their mental state is unstable. Adults are less likely to have nightmares, but it is still difficult to find a person who has completely avoided them. The occurrence of nightmares has not been fully explained, but it has been proven that people in a state of nervous shock have nightmares much more often than those who are in a calm and friendly mood and disposition.

Night terrors

Sleep disturbance occurs with night terrors, and this has nothing to do with nightmares. A nightmare has a rather complex plot, and night terror is a short, fleeting dream that is characteristic of the deep phase. In childhood, night terrors are not a significant psychological problem.

Restless legs

Sleep disturbance is observed in restless legs syndrome. In this case, a person is haunted by unpleasant sensations, and he wants to constantly move his lower limbs. Most often this happens when a person intends to fall asleep, having settled down calmly. Such patients cannot have a full night's sleep; they often wake up, and sometimes spend the rest of the night awake, tossing and turning in bed.

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking is known to everyone, as it is often mentioned not only in medical sources, but also in works of art. A more correct name is somnambulism. This sleep disorder is characterized by the fact that a person is in an intermediate state between reality and the world of dreams, his eyes are wide open. He distinguishes objects around him, orients himself in space, and does not bump into furniture or other obstacles on the way. If you ask him a simple question, he can give a monosyllabic answer.

Dream-speaking

Sleepwalking is also a fairly common sleep disorder, and in some cases is associated with sleepwalking. May be a hereditary acquisition. As a rule, the person talking in his sleep does not experience any anxiety. But those around you certainly suffer from this, although in some cases such midnight “chatter” seems quite funny and causes a smile.

Methods for treating insomnia

Before taking medications, try following simple rules to promote normal sleep.

Do not overuse caffeinated drinks . As a rule, these are tea and coffee, as well as drinks with a tonic effect.

Most people spend their evenings in front of the TV screen. If you are no exception, then try to watch only neutral programs and films at night that do not evoke strong emotions.

Pay attention to the diet . Don't go to bed hungry, and at the same time, don't overeat. Have a snack a couple of hours before bed, and let it be something light, such as a vegetable or fruit salad.

If you must take medication , do not leave it until the last minute before bed. The only exceptions are special sedatives.

Try to make yourself as comfortable as possible , choose the most comfortable bedding. It is better to prefer bed linen made from natural fabrics so that there is no feeling of discomfort.

If your thoughts keep returning to a particular issue, do your best to distract yourself. Read your favorite book, turn on some light music. A bath with herbs or sea salt before bed has a very good relaxing effect .

Most people benefit from evening walks . If you can’t go out for a walk, be sure to ventilate the bedroom well. When going to bed, you can drink warm milk with a spoonful of honey, or an infusion of soothing herbs.

Sleep Loss: Factors, Risks, Symptoms

Insomnia is a symptom itself, but is sometimes associated with symptoms such as:

• difficulty falling asleep;
• waking up at night or very early;
• fatigue, sleepiness during the day;
• irritability, depression, anxiety;
• impaired concentration and coordination;
• headache, social difficulties.

People prone to insomnia travel a lot, work shifts, and are elderly.

Attention! Susceptible categories include stimulant users, students, pregnant women, menopausal women, and people with mental disorders.

Unfortunately, not everyone turns to a specialist in a timely manner. As a result, mild insomnia transforms into chronic.

The disorder is classified according to duration:

1. Transient insomnia - symptoms last up to a week.
2. Short-term - 1-3 weeks.
3. Chronic - more than 3 weeks.

The causes of transient and short-term disturbance, when sleep does not occur, are:

• jet lag;
• excess noise and light stimuli;
• uncomfortable room temperature;
• stressful events;
• acute illnesses, hospitalization, surgery;
• withdrawal of alcohol, drugs, psychostimulants or sedatives.

As well as fever, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, cough, diarrhea.

Chronic insomnia is the result of:

1. Mental disorder - anxiety, tension, emotional stress, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.
2. Physical diseases - chronic, fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, gastroesophageal reflux disease, COPD, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, stroke, brain tumor.
3. Drugs:

• corticosteroids and statins;
• alpha and beta blockers;
• selective inhibitors;
• angiotensin receptor blockers;
• glucosamine and chondroitin.

1. Independent somatic or mental disorders:

• idiopathic insomnia from childhood;
• central sleep apnea, as a result of brain damage, heart failure, hypoxia;
• restless legs syndrome;
• circadian rhythm disorders.

If you realize that your sleep is disturbed, contact a therapist. In primary insomnia, a person appears exhausted and has sunken eyes, but clinical studies will not reveal changes outside the normal range.

Symptoms of sleep disorders

Signs of a sleep disorder are quite varied, as they depend on the nature of the disorder. However, regardless of the type of disorder, if it is observed for some time, it will certainly lead to a decrease in attention, changes in the emotional background and a decline in performance. Schoolchildren's educational performance may deteriorate and their ability to master new information may decrease.

Often, individuals seek qualified help, complaining of deterioration in well-being, without even realizing that it is associated with insomnia.

Below is a classification of sleep disorders. So, insomnia is divided into insomnia, hypersomnia, wakefulness-dream disorder, and parasomnia.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder, insomnia, manifested by a disorder in the process of falling asleep and the sleep period, occurs due to:

— psychological factors (psychosomatic insomnia);

— taking pharmacopoeial drugs or alcohol-containing drinks;

- mental illnesses;

- breathing disorders due to decreased ventilation of the alveolar spaces or apnea arising during the sleep stage);

- "restless limbs" syndrome;

- night muscle twitching.

Psychosomatic insomnia, in turn, can be temporary or situational and permanent. Insomnia caused by the use of medications or alcohol is caused by chronic alcoholism, prolonged use of drugs aimed at depressing or activating the central nervous system, or occurs as a result of stopping the use of sleeping pills.

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder, insomnia, which is increased sleepiness. It is divided:

- for narcolepsy (the occurrence of REM sleep during wakefulness and a disorder in the regularity of sleep stages);

- psychophysiological, that is, due to the psychological state;

- hypersomnia caused by the consumption of alcohol-containing drinks or pharmacopoeial drugs, mental illnesses, and breathing problems.

Psychophysiological hypersomnia can be temporary or permanent.

Disorders of wakefulness and sleep stages can be temporary, caused by a sharp change in time zone or work schedule, or permanent. The second, in turn, is divided into the syndrome: slow stage sleep, premature dream phase and non-twenty-four-hour dream-wake cycle.

Parasomnia refers to autonomic, motor, or behavioral dysfunctions associated with dreams, but not necessarily caused by a sleep disorder.

Such disorders include: enuresis (incontinence of urine during a dream), somnambulism (committing any actions while dreaming), night terrors and other disorders.

Psychosomatic insomnia is considered situational provided that the duration of its symptoms does not exceed three weeks. People suffering from this form of insomnia have difficulty falling asleep, constantly waking up in the middle of the night, and then are unable to fall asleep. This disease is characterized by earlier awakening and feelings of lack of sleep after sleep. The result of constant lack of sleep is the appearance of emotional instability, irritability, and chronic fatigue. The condition is complicated by the patients' experiences associated with sleep disorders. As a result, patients fearfully await the approach of night.

The time spent trying to fall asleep seems to be several times longer than it actually is. Mostly, situational insomnia occurs due to the influence of certain psychological stressors and is determined by the emotional state of the patient. Often, sleep disturbances normalize after the stress factor is eliminated. However, sometimes difficulties falling asleep and frequent awakenings at night become a habitual situation, and the fear of insomnia only aggravates the condition, which leads to the formation of constant insomnia.

Insomnia, caused by alcohol or provoked by taking medications, consists of a disruption in sleep order: the REM stage of sleep is shortened and frequent waking up at night is noted. As a rule, after stopping the use of alcoholic beverages, the described disorders disappear.

Long-term use of sleeping pills and sedatives also often causes insomnia. Gradually, the effect of the medications decreases, and increasing the dosage leads only to a short-term improvement in the condition, after which sleep defects worsen. This form of pathology is characterized by frequent short awakenings and the disappearance of a clearly drawn line between the stages of night rest.

Insomnia, occurring against the background of mental pathologies, is characterized by a constantly present feeling of extreme anxiety at night, light and shallow sleep, frequent waking up, apathy and fatigue during the day.

Insomnia resulting from restless limbs syndrome develops due to the appearance in the calf muscles of a sensation that causes the desire to move the limbs.

Sometimes sleep defects occur due to spontaneous, repetitive flexion of the limbs.

Narcolepsy manifests itself in the daytime with sudden attacks of falling asleep. Such attacks are short-lived. They are dangerous because they occur during monotonous actions in transport. Narcolepsy is accompanied by attacks of cataplexy (loss of muscle tone, as a result of which the patient loses balance). Such an attack is more often observed against the background of a pronounced emotional reaction (fear, anger, intense joy).

Sleep disorders caused by a change in geographical zone (phase shift) or a change in work schedule are considered adaptive and go away on their own after two to three days.

Delayed sleep stage syndrome is the inability to fall asleep. As a rule, such patients fall asleep closer to the morning hours on weekdays. At the same time, on days when the patient does not need to go to work, there are no difficulties with falling asleep.

People suffering from premature sleep stage syndrome rarely turn to doctors. After all, this category of people does not have problems with organizing sleep, falling asleep or lack of sleep. Waking up earlier forces them to go to bed early. The disorder in question is more often observed in people of this age category. It does not cause any particular problems for older people.

Non-twenty-four-hour cycle syndrome is manifested by the inability to exist in a 24-hour day. The biological day in this category of patients is often several hours longer than the established unit of time. Similar disturbances occur in subjects suffering from personality changes or blindness.

Somnambulism is the unconscious performance of automatic manipulations during a dream. Patients suffering from this sleep disorder may unknowingly get out of bed at night and walk around, performing actions dangerous to their own health, without waking up. At the same time, patients resist attempts to wake them up. Usually, this state lasts about fifteen minutes, after which the person returns to bed, where he either wakes up or continues to sleep.

Often, sleep disturbances and depression are often accompanied by vegetative-vascular dystonia, which covers many organ dysfunctions of various etiologies and symptoms that are caused by impaired nervous regulation.

In addition, sleep disturbances and depression also occur with osteochondrosis occurring in the cervical segment of the spine. In turn, a dream disorder, with the described pathology, provokes an increase in fatigue and a deterioration in well-being. A person does not fully recover due to inadequate night rest. Sleep defects are often the first, and often the only initial signal indicating problems in the cervical segment. Inadequate sleep and nervous tension cause an increase in blood pressure, disruption of recovery processes, disruption of biorhythms, and exhaustion of the body.

Insomnia is a rather dangerous illness, often leading to suicide attempts. Lethargy, fatigue and malaise are the most minor consequences of sleep disturbance.

Scientists have long proven that any defects in dreams lead to a deterioration in the cognitive sphere, disruption of emotional processes, and the appearance of dangerous disorders of memory, attention, and coordination. In addition, persistent insomnia can give rise to various mental pathologies, cause hair loss, breathing problems, persistent hyperglycemia, and arrhythmia. Therefore, even in the early stages of the disease in question, it is necessary to contact specialists. Otherwise, ignoring the symptoms can provoke rather sad consequences of sleep disturbance.