How did I treat my sleep problem?

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summary A good night's sleep can strengthen us and replenish the energy we lost throughout the day. That's why we should seek help when we have trouble sleeping as well as before. Below, you will learn more about what sleep problems are, their causes, symptoms and treatment.

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What are they? Sleep problems are disorders that can affect a person's quality of sleep. Although each person has a unique sleep pattern, it is possible to notice when something is wrong. Regardless of the cause, an individual cannot sleep as well as they need to. Almost half of the Brazilian population does not sleep as well as they should. Many Brazilians say that stress and unbalanced sleep schedules interfere with their bedtime. As a result, they experience mood swings, poor concentration and excessive drowsiness. People with sleep problems have a significantly impaired quality of life.

After all, they don't get the sleep they need and spend the day feeling tired. So much so that this unwanted routine reduces their immunity and increases the chances of other health problems arising.

Sleep Phases In order to understand sleep problems, we must know the stages of sleep. They are:

Phase 1 This is the phase in which the change from wakefulness to sleep occurs. As soon as it gets dark, our brain releases melatonin, a hormone responsible for causing drowsiness. This phase takes up 10% of the night.

Phase 2 During this phase, our respiratory and heart rate slow down, as does our body temperature and muscle relaxation. It is a phase of light sleep that covers almost 45% of the night.

Phase 3 From here on, the metabolism drops and the body functions more slowly. In this way, the heart and breathing work more lightly. This phase occurs during 25% of the night.

Phase 4 or REM REM is an abbreviation of the English words RAPID EYE MOVIMENT or “rapid eye movement”. In other words, it is the deep sleep where we dream. We can have an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as adrenaline discharges.

Causes Sleep problems can occur for a variety of reasons. Even if the cause is minor, it is enough to interfere with sleep. Therefore, anyone can have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up many times during the night. This problem can be temporary or chronic, long-lasting. The most common causes are: Alcohol and other stimulants or drugs; Inadequate sleeping environment; Anxiety and stress; Napping during the day; Depression; Physical or mental discomfort; Physical illnesses; Going to bed too early; Smoking a lot; Use of specific medications.

Symptoms The main symptom of sleep problems is greater difficulty sleeping and resting. Many people have insomnia, for example, and spend the night awake. Others are able to sleep, but feel unwell the next day, as well as tired, have headaches and are irritable. In principle, each sleep disorder has different symptoms. That is why a general practitioner or sleep doctor must investigate the patient's complaints to understand the cause of the problem.

Types of Problems According to experts, there are more than 100 diagnosed sleep disorders or problems. To better understand them, doctors group these problems into four categories:

  • 1. Strange behaviors during sleep
  • 2. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • 3. Problems staying awake
  • 4. Problems maintaining a healthy sleep pattern

Most Known Problems Check out the sleep problems most people face below:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Although it is a common sleep problem, obstructive sleep apnea is serious. This is because a person's airways become blocked during sleep, preventing breathing. As a result, a person may snore loudly or suffer from suffocation. People with this type of apnea may wake up when their brain and body are deprived of oxygen. In more severe cases, this problem can occur several times during a single night.

Insomnia With insomnia, a person has more difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. A person can have short-term or chronic insomnia. Short-term insomnia occurs because of a stressful moment in life. For example, when a person has problems in a relationship or loses a loved one. In addition, people who work shifts are unable to relax as they should. Therefore, they have more difficulty falling asleep. People with chronic insomnia do not feel that sleep has renewed their energy. As a result, they are always tired throughout the day and experience sleepless nights or alternating sleep. This problem occurs for at least a month.

Treatments A general practitioner or doctor specializing in sleep problems will recommend the appropriate treatment. The patient can optimize the diagnosis time and facilitate the consultation by taking:

  • – Medical history that demonstrates other health conditions and use of supplements or medications that he takes.
  • – All the symptoms you have and when each sign started.
  • – A companion to assist with the consultation, as necessary.

Medical Evaluation The doctor will perform an in-depth assessment of each case to determine the origin of the problem. He or she will prescribe some medications, such as Olcadil, Cinnarizine, Ritalin and Cloxazolam during the treatment for sleep problems. The patient must follow the doctor's instructions regarding the medications. For example, he or she must use the correct dosage for the indicated treatment duration. This is because self-medication can worsen the sleep disorder and the symptoms that the patient feels. Treatment for sleep problems guarantees a significant improvement in normal rest. It is normal to have sleep disturbances, but their frequency and duration indicate whether or not you sleep well.

Therefore, regular visits to the doctor will help prevent or treat these disorders. In addition, treatment for sleep problems also considers each person's self-care. Avoid electronics, caffeine and addictions at night will always help a person sleep better.

Important Only duly qualified doctors and specialists can diagnose diseases, indicate treatments and prescribe medicines. The information available on this page is for educational purposes only.