1 Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes difficulty falling asleep early in the night, an inability to prolong sleep when you wake up, or waking up earlier than planned in the morning. 2 About one in three people have experienced acute insomnia at least once in their lives. Maybe it was an impending exam, a painful loss or separation, or maybe the opposite, an event that caused a positive impression. 3 Chronic insomnia is a more severe disorder that can severely affect our lives. Chronic insomnia is diagnosed when you do not sleep for more than 30 minutes, sleep for less than 6 hours, there is a lack of rest in the morning after sleep, and all of these symptoms are observed for more than 3 months. These symptoms recur at least 3 times a week and do not cause another sleep disorder or lead to poor sleep conditions when insufficient time is given for sleep. 4 Symptoms of insomnia A Difficulty falling asleep B Frequent awakenings at night C Early waking in the morning D Fatigue E Impaired concentration or memory impairment F Deterioration of social, academic, family activities and working capacity G Mood disorders, increased irritability H Increased drowsiness during the day I Behavioral disorders (hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression) in children J Decreased motivation, initiative L K More common errors, accidents M Anxiety, dissatisfaction with one's sleep 5 Sleep disorders Sleep disorders are described as various sleep problems - inability to fall asleep, fall asleep all night without waking up, nightmares, and so on. - which occur continuously. Sleep disorders are most often caused by stress, rapid pace of life, and other environmental factors. In some cases, sleep disorders are a symptom of other psychological or physical disorders. 6 What can lead to sleep disorders? A Respiratory problems such as allergies or colds B Persistent pain (arthritis, headache, etc.) C Frequent urination at night Stress and anxiety 7 Professional help Treatment for sleep disorders may depend on their type and cause, but is usually treated with medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. 8 The course of diagnosis of chronic insomnia is standard: first, data on the onset, course, prevalence of the disease in the family are collected, and it is appropriate to assess the opinion of the patient and another family member about sleep. The main research tools are questionnaires on medications, diseases, sleep hygiene, and evaluation of a sleep diary conducted over several weeks. 9 In chronic insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (KET-N) is first recommended. It aims to eliminate insomnia-promoting behavior. 10 Assessment of somnolence is necessary and helps to distinguish the origin of insomnia. All-night polygraph examination is performed for suspected respiratory diseases (eg, sleep apnea), restless legs with periodic limb movements during sleep, nocturnal forms of epilepsy or parasomnias, and narcolepsy.
