What to do about anxiety and insomnia?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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If the patient experiences anxiety and insomnia, the following treatment methods are recommended: The first method is to engage in more sports training. During the day, one can participate in aerobic exercises such as jogging or playing sports with others, including basketball and table tennis. Physical activity helps stabilize the mind and improve emotional health, and it is effective in combating anxiety and treating insomnia. The second method involves increasing communication with others. Research has shown that more communication can significantly alleviate anxiety. Thirdly, if necessary, one can take some sedative hypnotic drugs, such as benzodiazepines or some newer types of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Fourth, if the anxiety is significant, under the advice of a psychiatrist, one can take serotonin reuptake inhibitors to counteract the anxiety. (Please consult a professional physician for specific medications.)

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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What should I do about insomnia and frequent dreams? What are the methods to treat insomnia and frequent dreams?

The methods for treating insomnia and frequent dreaming mainly include the following: Firstly, patients should try adjusting their lifestyle and diet to treat insomnia and frequent dreaming. For instance, patients can drink a small amount of milk, honey water, or herbal tea before bed. They can also listen to some slow rhythm light music before sleeping, which helps to relax nerves and muscles, promoting sleep. Patients can also soak their feet in hot water and massage their temples before bed. These physical treatments can also help improve sleep. Most patients generally see an improvement in their insomnia and dreaming after adjusting their diet and lifestyle. If these adjustments still leave the patient suffering from insomnia and frequent dreaming, they can use a small amount of sedative and sleep-inducing medications to improve sleep. Common drugs include zopiclone, eszopiclone, and zolpidem. Furthermore, psychotherapy can also help to some extent in improving the situation of insomnia and frequent dreaming.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should I do if I have a rapid heartbeat and insomnia?

Experiencing a rapid heart rate can cause panic, restlessness, and severely affect sleep. After an electrocardiogram examination, if the rapid heart rate is not caused by organic heart disease, medications to control the heart rate can be used under a doctor’s guidance, or choose sedative and calming traditional Chinese medicines or Western medicines to stabilize the nerves, slow the heart rate, and promote sleep. If the rapid heart rate is due to organic heart disease, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary under a doctor's guidance, along with the use of medications to control the heart rate, to ensure the quality of sleep.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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How to treat insomnia caused by excessive brain excitement?

If the issue is short-term brain excitement and insomnia, treatment should involve interventions in lifestyle and adjustments in sleeping habits. Firstly, the patient needs to establish a regular routine, going to bed and getting up at fixed times. Secondly, before bedtime, it is advisable to avoid consuming stimulant drinks like strong tea, coffee, alcohol, and also to refrain from engaging in excessive physical activities within two hours before sleep. If the condition of brain excitement and insomnia persists for an extended period, it might be necessary to use sedative-hypnotic medications to alleviate symptoms. Commonly used sedative-hypnotic drugs in clinical settings include zopiclone, eszopiclone, estazolam, melatonin, among others. Through these treatments, symptoms of insomnia in most patients can be improved. If the symptoms continue unabated, it may be necessary to consider whether the patient might also be suffering from anxiety or depressive disorders affecting their sleep. In such cases, an evaluation with the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scale can be conducted to determine. If such conditions are present, treatment with anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications, such as citalopram, may be administered.

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Written by Huo Ze Jun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What are the causes of insomnia?

Insomnia refers to difficulty in falling asleep or waking up early, which affects work the next day. There are many causes of insomnia, such as environmental factors, some medications, and some diseases, such as chronic diseases, which may cause insomnia in patients. It is also somewhat related to the patient's personality. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the main reasons for insomnia include the following: The first is Yin deficiency and excessive fire. The heart is associated with fire and the kidneys with water. If the heart's fire is too strong and the kidney's water is insufficient, it can cause insomnia. Additionally, patients with damp-heat conditions can also experience insomnia because too much damp-heat can disturb the mind and lead to insomnia. Moreover, some patients have excessive liver and gallbladder fire and a quick temper, which can also lead to insomnia. Another group of patients has both heart and spleen deficiencies; if both the heart and spleen are deficient in blood, it can result in insufficient nourishment for the mind's blood, ultimately leading to insomnia. Thus, patients with both heart and spleen deficiencies can suffer from insomnia.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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What are the reasons for insomnia, hand tremors, and palpitations?

If a patient frequently experiences insomnia, trembling hands, and palpitations, it is possible that these symptoms are caused by myocardial ischemia. It is recommended that the patient actively undergo treatment using medications that dilate blood vessels and improve circulation, and firstly, coronary heart disease should be ruled out. If a person has long-term sleep disorders, they can also develop a certain level of anxiety, which in turn can lead to insufficient coronary artery blood supply and thus myocardial ischemia. This condition can also manifest as palpitations and trembling hands. Another scenario is hypoglycemia. If blood sugar levels are too low, symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and trembling hands can occur, typically at night. For such cases, it is also necessary to promptly monitor the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse changes, and the diet should primarily consist of high-quality protein.