Insomnia

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What is insomnia? It is referring to the disturbance of a normal sleep pattern.

There are many different types of insomnia :

• Sleep onset insomnia, which is most common in youngsters. They are difficult getting to sleep
• Waking up early in the morning, which is least common
• Not feeling refreshed after sleep. This may leads to tiredness, irritability and lack of concentration
• Older people may awake in the night
• Not able to get sleep due to pain or noise

The duration of insomnia maybe :

• Transient - 2 to 3 days
• Short term - a few days, less than 3 weeks
• Chronic - last for 3 weeks or more

Causes of insomnia :

• Sleep disorders - sleep apnoea and sleep walking
• Physiological - work long hour till night, light and noise effects, snoring, partner's movement and jet lag
• Medicines - antidepressants, appetite suppressants, beta-blockers, corticosteroids and decongestants
• Psychological and psychiatric - worries, stress, problems, anxiety, depression, bereavement and dementia
• Alcohol

Symptoms :

• lying awake for long period of time in bed. Hard to get to sleep
• waking up several times during the night
• waking up early in the morning and could not get back to sleep
• feeling tired and not refreshed
• unable to function properly throughout the day

If the symptom persists, consult a doctor immediately.



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