Psychiatrist
MBBS, Consultant Psychiatrist MD, CPD (Child & Adolescent Mental Health), Certified Geriatric Psychiatrist (APPNA)
Counselor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist
MBBS, CBT, NLP, Diploma (Advanced Counselling Skills), Diploma (Modern Applied Psychology)
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to sleep or stay asleep and impairs routine activities It affects one-third of the adult population. The condition can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Acute insomnia lasts for 1 night while chronic insomnia is recognized by at least 3 nights of insomnia in a month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people need 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night to stay healthy. Insomnia, meaning in Urdu, is 'neend ka na aana'. Insomnia can be a disorder in itself or can result from any underlying condition.
A sleep medicine specialist in Pakistan is the best person to diagnose and treat your insomnia. Sleep medicine specialists include psychiatrists, neurologists, and other doctors in Pakistan with extra training to treat sleep problems.
On the basis of the cause of Insomnia may be;
Primary insomnia - This type of insomnia occurs on its own and has no underlying health conditions that are responsible for this sleep disorder
Secondary insomnia - This is a sleep disorder that causes trouble falling or staying asleep and the disorder occurs due to certain health conditions like asthma, cancer, depression, or the use of certain medicines.
On the basis of the disease severity, insomnia includes;
Acute insomnia - This type of insomnia occurs for a short time (usually 1 day) and may be followed by any stressful life event. Acute insomnia is also known as adjustment insomnia and the condition resolves on its own
Chronic insomnia - This type of insomnia lasts for months or even years and is recognized as a sleep disorder. Chronic insomnia may be due to primary or secondary causes and needs management and Insomnia treatment.
Sleep disorders like insomnia are diagnosed by the doctor after asking questions related to sleep habits and medical conditions. The doctor in Pakistan may ask you to keep a sleep diary to record the timings of your falling asleep and waking up.
The treatment of insomnia does not resolve the disease completely but it helps manage the disease. The treatment of insomnia involves;
Sleep medicines may be prescribed by the doctor
Behavioral therapies may be provided to manage the disorder
Treatments to manage the diseases that lead to insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder and needs immediate help. If left untreated, insomnia may result in certain complications that include;
Development of mental disorders like anxiety and depression
Trouble focusing on routine tasks
Increased risks or accidents
Increased risk of developing medical issues
Marham - find a doctor provides a platform for online or in-person consultation with the best male and female doctors for the treatment of Insomnia in Pakistan.
Chronic or acute insomnia has certain symptoms that are indicative of the disease. They include;
Trouble falling asleep
Difficulty in staying asleep
Unwanted wake-ups in the early morning
Fatigue
Memory disturbances
Lack of focus
Mood disturbances
Feeling anxious when trying to sleep
Not feeling fresh after night’s sleep
Irritability
Insomnia may be a primary problem or may occur secondary to certain chronic diseases. The common causes of insomnia include;
Stress
Work schedule
Irregular sleep habits
Eating late in the evening
Taking caffeine before bed
Light or sound distractions
Sleep-related disorders
Age-related factors
Use of certain medications
Underlying medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, asthma, etc
Pregnancy
Pre-menstrual syndrome or menopause
The risk of developing insomnia increases in certain individuals and under certain conditions. They include;
If you are a female
If you are an individual with age >60 years
If you have any medical condition like hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, cancer, etc
If you have a stressful lifestyle
If you have irregular sleep patterns
If you have anxiety or any other mental disorder
Insomnia can be prevented by certain modifications in the lifestyle. It can be prevented by;
Maintaining regular sleep patterns
Avoid consuming caffeine before bedtime
Avoid using a screen and watching TV before sleep
Avoid eating heavy meals late at night
Avoid naps during the day
Exercise regularly
Make your environment comfortable before sleep