Does milk help with insomnia?

Written by Chen Lu Lu
Nutrition Science
Updated on September 13, 2024
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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.

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Written by Huo Ze Jun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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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.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to massage for insomnia and excessive dreaming?

Insomnia and frequent dreaming are common symptoms in the clinical setting. If the condition is not very severe, we can regulate our organ functions and alleviate the symptoms by massaging certain acupoints. Specific situations must be analyzed in detail. Here are some commonly used basic acupoints. For example, the Neiguan acupoint located above the pericardium muscle is frequently used and can reduce the incidence of insomnia and frequent dreaming. Additionally, the Shenmen and Tongli acupoints on the heart muscle can be massaged; moving upward, we can massage the deeper veins and the Zhaohai acupoint, as well as the Yinlingquan. Of course, clinically, depending on the different symptoms, we may also choose acupoints discerningly. For instance, if insomnia and frequent dreams are caused by poor digestion or an upset stomach, we can massage the Zhongwan acupoint to adjust the condition.

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Written by Yuan Chun Yun
Geriatrics
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What to do about insomnia?

Interventions for insomnia mainly include pharmacological treatment and non-pharmacological treatment. For patients with acute insomnia, it is advisable to use pharmacological treatment early. For patients with subacute or chronic insomnia, whether primary or secondary, psychological behavior therapy should be used in conjunction with pharmacological treatment. The essence of psychological behavior therapy is to change the patient's belief system and enhance their self-efficacy, thereby improving symptoms of insomnia. To achieve this goal, the involvement of professional physicians is often necessary. Psychological behavior therapy is effective for both primary and secondary insomnia in adults, and typically includes sleep hygiene education, stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction therapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation therapy. These methods may be used alone or in combination for the treatment of primary or secondary insomnia in adults.

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Written by Pang Ji Cheng
Psychiatry and Psychology
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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.

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Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
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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)