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Insomnia
How to regulate rapid heartbeat and insomnia?
If increased heart rate and insomnia are not due to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or thyroid disease, consider a diagnosis of cardiovascular neurosis. Patients with cardiovascular neurosis often present with numerous and variable complaints, lacking an intrinsic connection between symptoms. Common symptoms include palpitations, a heightened sense of heartbeat, chest tightness, labored breathing, a frequent feeling of insufficient air requiring opening windows or needing oxygen, accompanied by insomnia, vivid dreams, anxiety, loss of appetite, dizziness, tinnitus, sweating, cold hands and feet, and trembling hands. Treatment primarily involves psychotherapy, with medication as a secondary approach. Patients are encouraged to adjust their attitudes, organize their schedules properly, and engage in cultural, tourism, and sports activities. In cases of severe insomnia, the cautious use of drugs like midazolam or zopiclone may be considered. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician)
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.
Does milk help with insomnia?
Drink a cup of warm milk an hour before bed. The warm temperature and the fullness, along with the calcium and tryptophan it contains, can help relieve mental stress and relax the body, potentially aiding sleep, though results may vary. Currently, there is no authoritative research confirming that it definitely improves sleep. Elderly people should not drink too much milk before sleeping to avoid bloating or frequent urination at night, which could worsen sleep problems. Insomnia patients might also try soaking their feet in warm water before bed, gently massaging their head, or listening to soothing music to relax. If the above methods still do not significantly improve your insomnia, it is recommended to consult a specialist doctor at a formal hospital.
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.)
How to deal with excessive sweating, frequent dreams, and insomnia?
In cases of excessive sweating, frequent dreams, and insomnia, there are generally two scenarios to consider. One is caused by the deficiency of both the heart and spleen. In this condition, sweating is usually more excessive, as it can intensify after activities or meals and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as irritability and insomnia. The other scenario is due to kidney yin deficiency, where insufficient yin leads to excessive yang, resulting in insomnia, many dreams, and night sweats. In this type of sweating, it is generally profuse during sleep, but stops upon waking. This may also be accompanied by symptoms such as lower back soreness and tinnitus. It is recommended to ensure adequate rest regularly, avoid excessive fatigue, and not to be under too much stress.
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.
What are the reasons for insomnia, hand tremors, and palpitations?
If a patient frequently experiences insomnia, trembling hands, and palpitations, it is possible that these symptoms are caused by myocardial ischemia. It is recommended that the patient actively undergo treatment using medications that dilate blood vessels and improve circulation, and firstly, coronary heart disease should be ruled out. If a person has long-term sleep disorders, they can also develop a certain level of anxiety, which in turn can lead to insufficient coronary artery blood supply and thus myocardial ischemia. This condition can also manifest as palpitations and trembling hands. Another scenario is hypoglycemia. If blood sugar levels are too low, symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and trembling hands can occur, typically at night. For such cases, it is also necessary to promptly monitor the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse changes, and the diet should primarily consist of high-quality protein.
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.
How to treat neurotic insomnia
The patient exhibits symptoms of neurasthenia, including insomnia. The following treatment plan is recommended: First, it is crucial to adjust psychologically. It is advised that the patient maintains a joyful mood, avoids significant mental stress, and refrains from overthinking. Engaging in some aerobic exercise during the day and interacting with others can help relieve stress, which is vital for alleviating insomnia at night. Second, it is important to develop very healthy sleeping habits. Prior to sleeping, avoid intense activities, as well as consuming coffee or tea, and refrain from using mobile phones or watching TV. Head to the bedroom to sleep only when feeling sleepy. Third, medication may be necessary at times. Generally, classic benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic drugs can be used. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)
Does anxiety disorder cause insomnia?
Patients with anxiety disorders may experience symptoms of insomnia, primarily due to high sympathetic nervous excitement and hyperfunction of skeletal muscles. Therefore, patients may exhibit high alertness, difficulties falling asleep, frequent awakenings during sleep, or inability to fall back asleep after waking up. In such cases, clinically, anti-anxiety medications with sedative and hypnotic effects, such as benzodiazepine anti-anxiety drugs, or antidepressants with sedative effects, can be effectively used. Moreover, if anxiety disorder patients can self-adjust, such as through exercise, they may also improve their sleep conditions to some extent.