Insomnia is a disorder that causes sufferers to have difficulty sleeping or not getting enough sleep, even though there is enough time to do so.This disorder can have an impact on the patient's activities the next day.
Sleep time and a person's satisfaction after sleep affects a person's quality of life and overall health. In general, people need 8 hours of sleep a day to keep their bodies fit.
Sleeping too long or too little can cause disturbances, both physically and mentally. However, adequate sleep time also does not guarantee a fit body condition if the sleep quality is not good.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia is divided into two types, namely primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder that is not associated with another medical condition. Meanwhile, secondary insomnia is a sleep disorder that occurs due to other conditions, for example:
- Arthritis
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Asthma
- Depression
- Cancer
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages
Insomnia can be short-lived (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute insomnia lasts 1 night to several weeks, whereas chronic insomnia occurs at least 3 nights a week and lasts for 3 months or more.
Symptoms and Complications of Insomnia
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. These complaints can trigger other symptoms, such as fatigue and sleepiness during the day, and difficulty focusing on activities.
Difficulty sleeping can make insomniacs lack concentration so they are at risk of having an accident when driving. Insomnia can also reduce memory and sex drive, and cause physical and mental disorders.
Insomnia Treatment and Prevention
Treatment of insomnia depends on the underlying cause and the patient's condition. Methods that can be provided by doctors are psychotherapy or counseling, medication, or a combination of both.
Insomnia can be prevented by doing the following simple ways:
- Avoid eating and drinking a lot before bed
- Limiting consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
- Try to be active during the day to avoid naps