Various studies have proven that the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a significant increase in the number of people with insomnia.
While some experts came up with the term ‘coronasomnia’ and others ‘Covid-somnia’, both terms refer to the same thing; insomnia triggered by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
A study from the University of Southampton (UK) found that there is an increase in the number of people experiencing insomnia during the pandemic. It is from one in six to one in four people. And yes, unfortunately, the pandemic-related stress and challenges have made many of us more prone to the sleep disorder. Whether you are in the UK, Bali, or anywhere else in the world, we caught the effect as well.
Do you think you might have insomnia?
Do you think that you might fall under the category of those who started suffering from sleeping trouble as a side effect of pandemic-related stress? Or have you always experienced sleeping problems?
Either way, it’s always good to educate yourself with all you need to know about the sleep disorder. In this article, we have listed the essential information as follows.
What is insomnia?
It is a type of sleep disorder that causes trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or both. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), insomnia is the most common sleep disorder there is.
Though it is a common disorder, you must understand that not every person who has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep can be clinically diagnosed with insomnia.
For a doctor to clinically diagnose a patient with insomnia, the patient must have experienced sleep difficulties for at least three nights a week for a minimum of three months. Besides, a person can only be diagnosed with the disorder if the sleep difficulties have caused major impacts on their daily life.
What are the causes of insomnia?
Common causes of sleeping disorder can be from both physical and psychological factors and often a combination of both. The common causes of short-term or acute insomnia are stress, post-traumatic stress, mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, night terrors, uncomfortable sleeping environment, poor sleep habits or changes to sleep habits, physical pain, neurological problems, GERD, and certain medications.
And previously highlighted, studies have reported that a high percentage of insomnia patients nowadays have started suffering from the sleeping disorder due to the higher stress levels they have experienced during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, long-term or chronic insomnia can be both primary and secondary. Experts have shared that the cause of primary insomnia is unknown. On the other hand, secondary chronic insomnia is generally accompanied by certain conditions. Some of them such as arthritis or back pain, mental health disorders, substance use, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
So, what are the effects?
Sleeping trouble, both short-term and long-term, has serious consequences for your overall health and wellbeing. Short-term or acute insomnia leads to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, mood disorders, irritability, gastrointestinal problems, and other health conditions caused by sleep deprivation. Various studies have revealed that people with chronic insomnia are at an increased risk of chronic medical conditions in the long term.
Sleeping disorder must not be left untreated. Hence, it is critical to consult a professional as soon as you believe you might have insomnia. This is so you can receive proper medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
We sincerely hope that you stay safe during this difficult time. Never let your guard down do the best you can to take care of your health and wellbeing. If you ever need Prime Plus Medical Clinic in Bali, we’ll be happy to cater to your need 24/7.
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