General Information
Difficulty in sleeping or insomnia is not a disease inset may be a symptom of underlying problems, eg. stress. anxiety, pain, or prostate problems it may be a temporary problem of unknown causes. Sleep difficulty is often temporary but may become chronic in Some people. The length of sleep varies in many people and nones really ideal. Some people need very little sleep and sit function well during the day while others need a lot more sleep. It is important to know whether the patient has difficulty getting to sleep or saying as sleep. People generally require less sleep, as they get older. Elderly people oñen get to sleep fast but wake up after a few hours.
Possible reasons for sleeplessness include pain, getting up to go to the toilet, snoring. going to bed too early and not sleeping through to normal morning hours, and difficulty in breathing. which could be caused by respiratory or cardiovascular disease. Many people who have to snore the problem may be experiencing sleep apnea, a condition where the person's breathing stops tor a very short time every few minutes during sleep because their airway is blocked by the tongue and throat. The brain wakes up the person every time this happens to start breathing again. However, they are unaware of the constant sleep-wake pattern during the night; hence, they wake up feeling tired and remain sleepy throughout the day
Signs and Symptoms
- Chronic, loud snoring, gasping, or choking episodes during sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
- Morning headache
- Cognitive difficulties poor memory concentration
- Personality changes depression
- Gastro-esophageal reflux
- Frequent nocturnal urination
- Morning sore throat
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Restlessness
- Chest and limb pain
- Obesity
- A thick neck
Advice to the Customers
- Avoid drinking coffee or tea a few hours before sleeping, since these drinks contain caffeine, a stimulant. Herbal teas may be used as an alternative.
- Alcohol, nicotine, and other stimulants should also be avoided late in the evening. Alcohol may appear to help some people get to sleep initially but may cause waking after a few hours.
- Avoid taking a meal or large snack just before bedtime.
- Sleep in a regular routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.
- Avoid daytime naps. If a nap Is taken, go to bed much later.
- Do some exercise during the day or late in the noon.
- Practice relaxation techniques, especially before going to bed
Prescription Advice
- Instruct the patient on the medication and how to use it properly, I.e. name of the medication, frequency
- of dosage etc
- In cases where the sleep difficulty is severe and long-standing, instruct the patient to consult a physician
- Inform the patient of the possibility of interactions of some antacids with other medications, and the side effects associated with some of these agents
- Discuss Advice to Customers for more information on the prevention and management of sleep difficulties.