Poor Sleep is a very common problem in the present day. Covid-19 has disturbed all of our routines. Generally, a doctor recommends 7 to 8 hours of sleep to an adult. Poor sleep can be defined as inadequate sleep than suggested. Poor Sleep is the difficulty faced in sleeping at night and frequent wake-ups during the night.
What are the causes of poor sleep?
Poor sleep can affect the adult as well as an infant
In adults, poor sleep can be caused by various factors, as an adult remain to engage in the various task than that of an infant. The lifestyle of an adult is different from that of an infant.
- Watching TV, exercising, and engaging oneself in video games at night can result in poor sleep during the night.
- Taking excessive caffeine in the few hours of going to bed can result in poor sleep.
- Noise during going to bed or sleeping can affect your sleep.
- Feeling of excitement can lead to poor sleep.
- Taking a long sleep during the day allows a poor sleep in the night. If one sleeps during the day for a long period, it can result in poor sleep at night.
- Stress over the work schedule, depression, or worrying about something can also affect a person’s sleep. Stress and anxiety keep your mind engaged in a particular work. It does not let your mind get relaxed, which is necessary to attain sleep.
- Sleeping disorders like insomnia sleep Apnea and restless leg syndrome can also be a cause of Insomnia.
Poor sleep also affects infants. It is quite normal for the newborn babies to wake up numerous times in the night. When a newborn becomes 6 months old, he/she starts sleeping at night like a normal human being.
If an older adult feels Insomnia, it is because of the teething, he or she may be ill or hungry. It can also because of gas or digestive problems.
Sleeping disorders
Poor Sleep can be a result of some sleeping disorders.
Sleep Apnea
This is a sleeping disorder, which causes Insomnia. It causes blocking in the upper airways, which creates difficulty or pauses in breathing at night. It makes you wake up at nighttime and creates a snoring sound.
Restless leg syndrome
This sleeping disorder creates sensations in your legs like itching or tingling. This makes the patient move his or her legs constantly, which disturbs his or her sleep. This sleeping disorder also results in Insomnia.
Delayed sleep phase disorder
According to nature, days are made for working and nights for sleeping. However, if you feel Insomnia at night, or you are sleeping in the middle of the night, or you do not feel sleepy in the night, you are suffering from delayed sleep phase disorder. The irregular sleeping schedule disturbs your sleeping cycle and brings fatigue in the daytime. It also carries frustration.
What are the consequences of Insomnia?
- Memory issues
- Insomnia brings difficulty in thinking and concentration
- High blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Risk of having heart diseases
- Low sex drive
- Immunity becomes weak.
What are the treatments for Insomnia?
- A change in your lifestyle can bring a major improvement and helps in the cure of Insomnia.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine before going to bed. If you have a habit of sleeping in the day, sleep for a minimum for 30 minutes, or try to sleep not at all in the daytime.
- Keep your bedroom dark and cool at night. This makes you sleep quicker and in a better way.
- Avoid watching TV or doing vigorous exercise before going to sleep.
- A Hot bath and ear soothing music can help you sleep better.
It’s advisable to consult a doctor if you are having a persistent problem of Insomnia because it might affect your health badly and deteriorate your health.