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.

Other Voices

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Written by Pang Ji Cheng
Psychiatry and Psychology
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What to eat for insomnia

Insomnia is a relatively common clinical condition, so it is important to avoid spicy and greasy foods in the diet, and consume fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins. Additionally, when insomnia becomes severe, benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic drugs or short-acting sedatives can be taken to help patients enter sleep quickly. Furthermore, during insomnia, it is also important to notice if the patient has any other psychiatric symptoms. If there are accompanying psychiatric symptoms, sedative-hypnotic, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, or antipsychotic drugs can be taken to improve the patient's sleep condition. (Note: The above drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Management of poor heart condition and insomnia

If you have heart issues and are experiencing insomnia, you can consider the following adjustments: First, appropriate medication adjustments, such as under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine, combining pulse-taking and tongue examination to determine the body's constitution, proper use of traditional Chinese herbs like sour jujube kernels, goji berries, poria, licorice, jujube, chrysanthemum, and honeysuckle to make porridge can to some extent improve sleep issues. Second, maintain good lifestyle habits, like keeping a positive mood, avoiding staying up late, developing the habit of sleeping regularly, and avoiding overeating, especially at dinner. If necessary, take Western medicine to improve sleep, such as eszopiclone, under the direction of a doctor.

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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 Li Xiao Jie
Internal Medicine
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What should women do about insomnia and frequent dreams?

For women with insomnia and frequent dreams, the specific age group should be considered. If the women are in menopause, it's related to a decrease in estrogen secretion. In such cases, hormone medications can be appropriately used, but it is necessary to visit the gynecology department for professional guidance from a doctor and not to blindly use hormone medications on one’s own. For younger women, it’s often caused by nervous exhaustion. Daily mental stress, or taking oral medications can address this issue, such as using Anshen Bunao liquid, Wuweizi granules, Bailemian, etc., which all have effective treatment results. Additionally, one can drink milk before bedtime, soak feet in hot water, listen to soothing music, etc., and try to avoid looking at phones or watching TV.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Can excessive dampness cause insomnia?

If excessive dampness is present, it can generally cause insomnia and other adverse reactions, such as numbness throughout the body, general weakness, memory decline, and poor gastrointestinal digestion, which can all lead to symptoms. Therefore, it is first necessary to help expel the dampness to achieve effective improvement. For instance, regularly consuming foods like Chinese yam, barley, dates, and red beans can greatly aid in expelling dampness and improving symptoms. It is also important to engage in regular physical activities, which can help expel dampness. Additionally, methods like steam sauna, warm water foot baths, and cupping can also help expel dampness and alleviate symptoms.