Insomnia: Causes & When to See a Doctor
الأرق
Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking too early without being able to return to sleep. It affects daytime concentration, mood, and energy. It is often linked to stress or poor sleep habits. Improving sleep routine helps, and persistent insomnia warrants medical advice.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or obtaining refreshing sleep. It may be temporary during stress or persist and affect daytime concentration, mood and energy. Work schedules, stimulants, medicines and other health conditions can contribute.
Assessment considers sleep patterns, medical history and medicines; a sleep diary may help. Management can include improved habits, cognitive behavioural therapy and sometimes clinician-selected medicine. Sleeping pills are not a universal solution. Persistent insomnia or sleep problems affecting daily life deserve assessment.
Possible causes
- Stress, anxiety, and excessive thinking before sleep.
- Irregular sleep habits.
- Excessive caffeine intake or screen use at night.
- An uncomfortable or disruptive sleep environment.
- Certain health or psychological conditions.
These are common general causes; chronic insomnia may require medical evaluation.
Self-care
Keep a regular sleep and waking schedule, maintain a comfortable sleeping environment and limit caffeine near bedtime.
When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if:
- Insomnia persists for several weeks despite improving sleep habits.
- It significantly affects your mood, concentration, or work.
- It is accompanied by persistent feelings of sadness or severe anxiety.
Seek medical advice more urgently if insomnia is accompanied by self-harmful thoughts or severe psychological distress.
This content is for general educational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a specialist doctor, and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.
FAQs about Insomnia
ما هي عادات النوم الصحية التي قد تساعد؟
متى يصبح الأرق مزمناً؟
هل الكافيين يؤثّر على النوم؟
هل الأرق مرتبط بالحالة النفسية؟
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