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 disturbance can have an impact on the patient's activities the next day .
The amount of time one sleeps and the satisfaction one has after sleeping affects one'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 even too little can cause disturbances, both physical and mental. However, sufficient sleep time also does not guarantee a fit body condition if the quality of sleep is not good.
Insomnia type
Insomnia is divided into two types, namely primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder that is not related to another medical condition. Meanwhile, secondary insomnia is a sleep disorder that occurs due to other conditions, for example:
- Arthritis
- Gastric 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, while chronic insomnia occurs at least 3 nights a week and lasts 3 months or more.
Insomnia Symptoms and Complications
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty sleeping or sleep that is not restful. These complaints can trigger other symptoms, such as fatigue and sleepiness during the day, and difficulty focusing on activities.
Difficulty sleeping can make insomnia sufferers lack concentration so that they are at risk of having an accident when driving. Insomnia can also reduce memory and sex drive, as well as 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 given by doctors are psychotherapy or counseling, drugs, or a combination of both.
Insomnia can be prevented by doing the following simple steps:
- Avoid eating and drinking a lot before going to bed
- Limit consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks
- Try to be active during the day to avoid napping