What are the causes of insomnia?

Written by Huo Ze Jun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on September 13, 2024
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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 Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
1min 2sec home-news-image

How to treat insomnia due to insufficient Qi and blood?

When physical symptoms of qi and blood deficiency and signs of insomnia appear, patients are likely to exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, spontaneous sweating, and pale complexion. At this time, it is necessary to promptly regulate the body. You can eat more foods or medicines that replenish qi and nourish the blood. It is recommended to use Astragalus, Codonopsis, Angelica Sinensis, and Goji berries to simmer a pigeon soup, and also add some calming herbs such as lotus seeds and lily. Among these, Astragalus and Codonopsis help replenish qi; Angelica Sinensis and Goji berries nourish the yin and enrich the blood; pigeon meat itself is rich in nutrients and has benefits such as warming yang, strengthening the kidneys, enhancing qi, and nourishing the blood. Combined together, these can effectively improve the symptoms of insomnia caused by qi and blood deficiency. (Note: Use of specific medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
46sec home-news-image

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 Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
37sec home-news-image

How to deal with insomnia and frequent dreams due to qi deficiency?

For insomnia and frequent dreaming caused by qi deficiency, it is crucial to pay more attention to rest and maintain sufficient sleep, avoiding staying up late. You can soak your feet in warm water before sleeping, as this process can accelerate the metabolism in the body and promote blood circulation, which can effectively improve the symptoms of insomnia and frequent dreaming, and also relieve some symptoms caused by qi deficiency. Alternatively, acupuncture under the guidance of a qualified physician can also achieve good relief, or you can eat more qi-nourishing foods in your daily diet.

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Written by Huo Ze Jun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
1min 16sec home-news-image

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 Zhang Hui
Neurology
50sec home-news-image

How to treat anxiety and insomnia?

The patient is experiencing anxiety and insomnia, and the following treatment methods are recommended. Firstly, it is crucial for the patient to pay attention to psychological adjustment, maintain a pleasant mood, keep a good mindset, and communicate more with others, which can achieve very good effects. Secondly, it is essential to develop one's hobbies, engage in more outdoor sports, which can divert one's attention, significantly reduce anxiety, and also improve insomnia. Thirdly, long-term anxiety and insomnia can have adverse effects on the body. It is possible to take benzodiazepine drugs, which help with sleep and can also counteract anxiety, and should be taken under a doctor's advice. Finally, if the patient's anxiety is very pronounced, it is necessary to see a psychologist for treatment and take some anti-anxiety medication.